Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 800 - worth it?

[Photoflaneur]

I've never used 800 film, as I have my film preferences. But I'm now curious how this particular film will turn out if I use it in my Bessa R2a & Nokton 50/1.5 Now, as I purchased this film today I asked the man who works in the photo store if it would be possible to develop the 800 after taking pictures at the ISO setting of my choice, and he informed me there is now way to accomodate my wish. So, I've got to find out at what ISO the 800 really rates, Delta 3200, for example, isn't rated at ISO 3200 and so on with some other films - but you may know more about this than I. Anyway, have any of you used the Superia XTRA 800 yet, and if yes, please describe and perhaps, if possible, show some photos. Also, somewhat off topic: do you know of a site that discusses the actual ISO ratings of popular films? Thanks very much.

Greetings
PF

 

[foto_fool]

Superia 800 is the only color print film I use these days. Lovely color saturation and fidelity, and seems to balance grain and speed very well. I have a local lab that processes according to my wishes, but I have not asked them to push/pull this film. I have not come across a reference for "true" rating on this film, but ISO 800 appears spot-on to me.

M6, 35mm Summilux Asph, Superia 800 @f2.8

The shot above is a re-sampling of a med-res jpg lab scanned negative. Slight crop, no retouching in PS. Difficult lighting as the near portrait was in sunlight and the band was in deep shade. Note the level of grain and good detail in the hair.

- John

 

[jan normandale]

Hi PF , one of the RFF members RayPA regularly uses 800 ISO colour neg film. He seems to like it a lot. I've tried with mixed results. Ray is an outstanding photographer here at RFF and you can look at his work by doing a search. Details should be in his photos from time to time.

IIRC he tends to over expose by about a third stop. I haven't tried it yet but his colour and images seem to work really well as far as I'm concerned.

 

[ferider]

I like it and use it. Very easy to scan. But very sensitive to under-exposure.

Cheap, too, you can get it at Cosco's.

Roland.

 

[kshapero]

Makes a nice contrast B+W film when converted to B+W on Photoshop Elements 5.

 

[Photoflaneur]

All of this information is very very positive, the film shall be loaded tomorrow! John, the quality of the photo you provided is quite remarkable, it is really very good, I like this. And Akiva, I look forward to converting the scans to bw, as I'm very much into bw (HP5, one of my favorite films). But I can hardly await the color results, I am wondering also how the XTRA 800 will handle in all sorts of lighting, this will be interesting for me to learn about. So, thanks to all for your feedback.

Greetings
PF