Fuji 400X

I just got back my first five rolls of the new Fuji Provia 400X color slide

film. I used medium format 120 rolls (220 rolls are not available) and was

pleased with the results. This wasn't a scientific test, but there seemed to be

less grain than Provia 400F. Although I will stick with the excellent Provia

100F for normal conditions (still significantly superior to 400X), I will get

some more 400X for low light (as it will be a cheaper and better option than

pushing 100F.)

 

I guess one of the best things about this is that Fujifilm is continuing to

develop better film rather than seeing it a lost cause.

 

Chris

 

www.travel67.com

Nice to know, I still haven't found any anywhere (I'm in the UK) even on eBay and surprisingly even when I search international eBay non crops up.

I haven't seen any in the UK yet either. Fuji did say they would introduce it on an inventory

rotation basis, so I guess there must be a lot of 400F out there in retail channels.

Sorry for the confusion, I am a travel writer and photographer based in Okinawa, Japan. 400X came out in Japan in 35mm around October last year and in 120 format a month ago. One issue at the moment is that even in Japan it is now difficult to get slide film, especially roll film, processsed. I now send all my film to Tokyo which means I get it back a week later - its a good job I am not doing news!

 

Chris

 

www.travel67.com<div></div>

Thanks for the note Chris. 400X is still impossible to get in the UK, as stated above. In what respects do you consider 100F "significantly superior" to 400X? Is it simply the grain or did you notice a difference in colour, contrast, sharpness, etc.?

Freestylephoto.biz

 

they carry the film. I just bought some.

I was a bit disappointed with the first couple of rolls- quite a noticeable blue/green tint on apparently neutral subjects in open shadow. It seems better in full sun but then I don't want/need 400 ISO in bright conditions. So I wonder about Fuji's strategy here - in shade/ overcast I want to use Velvia to give me some colour but I can only get 50 and 100 ISO. In bright sun I want to use Provia to avoid Velvia's excesses and have a little less contrast- so I don't need 400 ISO.

 

So what I'd really like Fuji to do is two things-

 

First to give me a punchy saturated Velvia look-alike for when its overcast or in shade and the wind blows or I need to hand-hold.

 

Second to give me a colour slide film I can use in low light at the beginning and end of the day which doesn't pick up and exaggerate every nuance of colour in the light. I'm fed up of photographing quite subtly coloured scenes in low light that turn out bright blue or bright magenta, and Astia just doesn't have enough colour.

 

Both of these things are more important to me anyway than launching a film I can't see a use for.