Fast Fuji Color Film: Buying and Using Advice Needed

[ClaremontPhoto]

I want some fast C41. Not sure of speed, but I always use Reala 100 ASA and fancy something faster for streets and bars at night.

Fuji's website publicises 200, 400, 800 and 1600 ASA. Does anybody use these? And what are your experiences?

It must be Fuji because I won a contest sponsored by them and I must choose their products for the prize. Usually I would take Reala, but I fancy a change.

 

[Avotius]

I have always had good luck with superia 400 but I dont care for superia red all that much, in this case I highly suggest Fuji NPH 400

ps. there is also a fuji NPZ 800 speed film but I havnt used it before

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Thank you.

I can't see 'NPH400' online.

In the 400's I can see 'True Definition', 'Superia X-TRA' and 'Press 400'. I was tempted by True Definition because it has 'very wide exposure latitude'.

 

[Avotius]

Thank you.

I can't see 'NPH400' online.

In the 400's I can see 'True Definition', 'Superia X-TRA' and 'Press 400'. I was tempted by True Definition because it has 'very wide exposure latitude'.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...40&is=GREY&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...35&is=GREY&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...53&is=GREY&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...366&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

Of all these I have only used the NPH 400, its great. You should try to find a roll at a pro shop and give it a shot, its ususaly pretty hard to find though.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

I'll see if they are available in this market.

So, if I have read correctly NPH400 is being renamed Pro400, and NPZ800 is being renamed Pro800.

 

[Avotius]

I'll see if they are available in this market.

So, if I have read correctly NPH400 is being renamed Pro400, and NPZ800 is being renamed Pro800.

:shrug: I duno, its still called NPH 400 here, havnt heard about any renames.

 

[wdenies]

Yesterday I received a new batch of NPH 400.
It now calls Pro400 H.
BTW give a try with the new 160C and 160S emulsion. They are tuned for scanning

 

[pstevenin]

I use Fuji 1600 and the results may be ok but cannot afford under-exposure.

 

[Doug]

I like the professional Fuji films a lot. NPS160, NPH400, and NPZ800... In each case I set the camera's ISO to two notches slower; that is, to 100, 250, and 500 for increased saturation and detail in the shadow areas and generally smoother grain. The lab need not be told of this, you're just being generous with exposure. The films have very little tolerance for underexposure, so this is a safety margin too.

What has surprised me the most is how good the NPZ is, with much better color and grain than I'd expected, even in 35mm, though I use much more of it in 220 size. I generally find NPH400 (effectively 250 for me) to be a most versatile choice for everyday conditions, fast enough that with an f/2 or f/2.8 lens you can usually work well in office/store interiors. My medium format RFs have f/4 lenses though, therefore NPZ to the rescue in my environmental portrait project. Do a search for NPZ and NPH in my RFF gallery for samples.

 

[nksyoon]

Here are some photos taken with Superia 1600 and scanned with an Epson 4990 - the first 12 images (the others are DSLR):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nksyoon/sets/1326290/

 

[sf]

Look at Doug's shots taken with Fuji NPZ 800. Just search for "RF645" under the "search" tab under "gallery". A bunch of NPZ800 pics.

Very impressive film. I'm an E-6 freak, but will probably be switching over to negative film for my color stuff from now on (in favor of better flexibility, processing costs, and 800 ISO just seems like the ultimate for using f4 lenses. At least Doug makes it look that way.

 

[Nikon Bob]

Fuji 800 with slight overexposure should be good for you.

Bob

 

[Ukko Heikkinen]

Fufi NPZ 800, absolutely, no doubt. But please remember to meter the shadows!

Ukko Heikkinen

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Thank you everybody. I've looked at all suggested galleries and been impressed by the artistic quality of the images and by how much fast film technology has improved over the years.

The Fuji Pro800 (was NPZ800) rated at 500 looks a favorite. But I am still wondering about the 1600 ASA one underexposed for nightclubs and dark stuff.

Maybe some of one and some of the other then.

 

[SalmanA]

I like Fuji Superia X-TRA 800 a lot, so much so that I have about 10 rolls of it in my fridge. Rated at box speed it is quite decent, rated at 640 (or lower) is when it really shines.

I just tried my first roll of Fuji NPH400 and really liked the results. So, I am pretty sure that NPZ800 will be another good performer.

Can you tell I have a bias towards Fuji films!? 😀

Cheers,

 

[pbjbike]

I have a bunch of outdated Fuji Press 800 and 1600 Super HG. It's been frozen since new. I'd be happy to send you a few rolls of each if you want to try it.

 

[dmr]

I use the 400 and 800 quite a bit, and the 1600 every once in a while. This page has examples of all three:

http://www.letis.com/dmr/pics/vegas/vegas5/

The wide angles are all 1600 shot on the Pentax. The normal angle night shots are a mix of 800 and some 400 exposed as if it were 800. I've actually gotten good results doing that for night scenes.

 

[KoNickon]

Superia 400 is the film I'd pick if I could have only one. It's quite versatile and has great picture quality. But if that's simply not fast enough, go with the 800 X-Tra.

 

[Kin Lau]

Superia XTra 400 & 800.... cheap fast and good (enough). With 3 or 4 packs running around CDN $12- at the grocery store, it's hard to beat.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

pbjbike. Thank you. But no thank you! I keep winning or coming second in these local Fuji-sponsored contests and I've got tons of film already.

I appreciate the gesture and really really thank you. Seriously.

Saturday is the ceremony and the 'cheque' for Fuji stuff. I think I'll go for a mixed bag 800/1600 and get out of my Reala keep easy keep safe envelope. Also a bag of one-use cameras please for druggie street-shots and hookers in strip clubs when you wouldn't want to risk a good camera getting trashed.