Why is there no Velvia 400F?

[DrPablo]

I just got through with my first couple rolls of Provia 400F, and man, that is one majestic film, especially for its speed. In light of Velvia's popularity, why hasn't something similar come out?

 

[PhotoJim]

My guess: Velvia is used primarily for landscape photography, where speed is not an issue. Provia 400F was probably more popular for fashion photography and portraiture, where the slightly unnatural colours of Velvia wouldn't have been appropriate.

Just a guess, though.

 

[roteague]

Jim is correct. I shoot exclusively Velvia, and I see no reason for a version this fast.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

Interesting comments. I liked Velvia for what it is, always put the camera on a tripod using it. A few weeks ago, I was photographing out in the sticks, and had no way of bringing a tripod. The Provia 400 was awesome for that task, handheld Mamiya 645 produced really nice colors, sharp, and surprisingly fine grain.
What I was photographing were some extremely colorful stuffed animals, and an ISO400 Velvia would have been even more appropriate to push the color saturation a step farther. I have to admit, however, that this type of photography is very rare for me. I would have rather had my tripod with me.
- Thomas

 

[DrPablo]

I'd certainly appreciate a faster Velvia for landscapes. I mean when you're hiking sometimes it's just not possible to bring a tripod or not worth the time.

For large format shooting I don't necessarily see a role for it because you're necessarily stuck to the tripod, but for handheld available light landscape / cityscape shooting it would come in handy.

 

[roteague]

I've got a few rolls of the new Provia 400X (in 120) that I plan on shooting this coming weekend. I'll let everyone know how it comes out.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

Robert, is that part of Fuji's new series of films that are supposed to scan better than previous versions?
- Thomas

 

[roteague]

Robert, is that part of Fuji's new series of films that are supposed to scan better than previous versions?
- Thomas

Yes, that is the one. This film is supposed to have the grain of a 100 speed film as well. Here is a link to the fact sheet on it: http://www.fujifilmusa.com/JSP/fuji/epartners/bin/FujichromeProvia400X_Brochure.pdf

 

[Mark Antony]

I just finished evaluating 400X and I've put some examples on my blog
http://www.photo-utopia.blogspot.com/

To say 400X has the grain of a 100 speed might be a little OTT, don't get me wrong the grain is pretty good not quite as fine as Provia 100F probably about the same as 200 sensia.
It does scan quite well, but I normally use Kodachrome, so in comparison what wouldn't!
Anyhow if you are interested take a look at my blog click on the images to see 100% crops.

 

[JanaM]

.... don't get me wrong the grain is pretty good not quite as fine as Provia 100F probably about the same as 200 sensia.
...

Dear Mark,

to my experience with both Fuji Sensia 200 and the new Fuji Provia 400X the Provia 400X has significantly finer grain than the Sensia 200. I can see the difference already with a 4x loupe: Under the 4x loupe you can't see any grain at the 400X slide, but you can see a very fine grain at Sensia 200 slides.
With a 12x loupe you can see the difference at once: Extremely fine grain for a 400er with the Provia 400X, coarser grain with the Sensia 200.
The Provia 400X is a great step forward in film technology. I like this film very much, it has become one of my favourite films and I can highly recommend it.

Best regards,
Jana

 

[Mark Antony]

Dear Mark,

to my experience with both Fuji Sensia 200 and the new Fuji Provia 400X the Provia 400X has significantly finer grain than the Sensia 200. I can see the difference already with a 4x loupe: Under the 4x loupe you can't see any grain at the 400X slide, but you can see a very fine grain at Sensia 200 slides.
With a 12x loupe you can see the difference at once: Extremely fine grain for a 400er with the Provia 400X, coarser grain with the Sensia 200.
The Provia 400X is a great step forward in film technology. I like this film very much, it has become one of my favourite films and I can highly recommend it.

Best regards,
Jana

Jana
Not really what I'm seeing, the grain is very fine for a 400 but no where near the grain of a 100, if you go through to my blog you'll see a 100% crop where the grain is visible. I'd say that although this film is good and a lot better than most it is no where near a 100ISO grain.
maybe i got a bad batch? but after 10 or so I doubt it!
regards
mark

 

[JanaM]

Jana
Not really what I'm seeing, the grain is very fine for a 400 but no where near the grain of a 100...
regards
mark

Dear Mark,

we have talked about Sensia 200, not Sensia100! And the Provia 400X has finer grain than the Sensia 200. I have used the Sensia 200 for years.
Furthermore you can look at the RMS values, which are very exact to my experience (no matter if from Kodak, Fuji, Agfa etc., the manufacturers give exact data in this case). The lower the RMS value, the finer the grain. So Fuji Astia 100F with RMS 7 has finer grain than Velvia 50 with RMS 9 for example.
Provia 400X has RMS 11, Sensia 200 has RMS 13.
Sensia 100 has RMS 8. Kodak Ektachrome 100 VS has RMS 11.
So Provia 400X is not as fine grained as the best 100er films like Sensia 100 or Provia 100F (both RMS 8) or Astia 100F. No one would expect that. But it is on paar with Ektachrome 100 VS for example. Not bad at all.
And it has finer grain than the Kodak Ektachrome 400X (RMS 19) and the Kodak E200 (RMS 12).
I have used these films and can see the differences.

Best regards,
Jana