Neopan 400

Vincent.G

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What's the appeal of this film? How does it compare to Tri-X or 400-TMY2?

I hope you can share what developer you use for this film also.
 
It has a classic look, with grain a bit like Tri-X; the film base is easy to clear and has low base fog; it's also pretty thin. The emulsion is thin-ish, too but very even.

Neopan negatives often look a bit thin to my eyes, but I gather they scan well. I know they usually print in the darkroom very nicely, showing a sometimes surprising range of tones.

It has a wide exposure latitude. It's a nice film, good for hybrid or traditional workflow with a look that leans toward the old school emulsions rather than the new school look of the T-max or Delta tabular grain films.

I mostly shoot it at 400 and run it in Rodinal 1:50.
 
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It's beautiful...
I've been using it with my Yashica Mat 124 & Mamiya 645...there's something about the look when shot through the Yashica Mat...developed in Rodinal...1+100 for 45 min. (semi-stand developing)
I know it's been discontinued but I do have about 95 rolls...so when I'm done with them maybe I'll try the 100...
 
I like the look of Neopan 400 and the price is good too.
Talked with a Fuji representative lately and he said that he could only speak for Germany but the sales figures of Neopan 400 are not good at all. When it's similar in other countries than he sees no bright future for this film.

Why do so many people say that it's discontinued. Where is the source?
 
I like the look of Neopan 400 and the price is good too.
Talked with a Fuji representative lately and he said that he could only speak for Germany but the sales figures of Neopan 400 are not good at all. When it's similar in other countries than he sees no bright future for this film.

Tom, the price of neopan400 is about USD6 per roll compared to USD3 per roll of TriX and 400TMY2 over here. If there is something special about neopan400 that Tri X and 400TMY2 cannot do, I would really love use it but I got to have a huge pull factor from neopan400 to overcome the financial-inertia.
 
Why do so many people say that it's discontinued. Where is the source?

Neopan (Neopan Presto in Japan) for 120 format is discontinued. You can see that on Fuji's Japanese website. http://fujifilm.jp/personal/jan/monochrome/film.html?pSch501010102 (use Google Translate)

I couldn't even find B/W film info on Fuji US website...

As far as we know, 35mm (135) format version is still in production.

Recently we found out LegacyPro 400 (rebranded Neopan 400, 135 only) was discontinued and at least known US distributors are out of stock.
(I called FreeStyle and they confirmed there will be no new shipments from the manufacture.)
 
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Neopan (Neopan Presto in Japan) for 120 format is discontinued. You can see that on Fuji's Japanese website. http://fujifilm.jp/personal/jan/monochrome/film.html?pSch501010102 (use Google Translate)

I couldn't even find B/W film info on Fuji US website...

As far as we know, 35mm (135) format version is still in production.

Ok. I only talked with the Fuji guy about the 135 format. He he did not sound so optimistic about the future of Neopan 400 in 135 format. I contrast to that he was very enthusiastic about the success of Acros 100.
 
I'm going to stock neopan 400, I've shot about 250 to 300 rolls of tri-x in the last 2 years in 135, but lately I've been really loving the results I'm getting from neopan 400 in Xtol 1+1 and my 28/2.8 v4 elmarit. I feel like I finally found my perfect combination and really hope they don't discontinue it in 135 also!
 
Interesting. Anyone know if Neopan is made in multiple locations/countries?

The Japanese site says "Existing stock only. Sales will end as soon as stock clears." on the 120.


All Neopan is made in Japan. All 120 format Neopan 400 is discontinued - there is only remaining stock. The website inconsistencies between Fuji distribution agencies in different countries have been muddying the debate for some time. 120 format Neopan 400 is gone.


I really like Neopan 400, but I fear for it. I'll keep using it while I can.

Marty
 
Vince,

I have got truly excellent results developing Neopan 400 in D76 1+1 @ 20C (developing time 12', tank upside-down agitating : (gently)continuous for the first minute, then 5-6 times every minute).

I don't find this film to exhibit a typical T-grain look (what it should, however) and its rendition looks quite closer to the Tri-X one than to the T-Max one to my naked eye.

Other good thing is that the Neopan 400 emulsion looks solid and quite resistant to scratches, it doesn't curl at all when dry of left for a while in the enlarger or scanner trays, and does not have the Tri-X pink cast, which makes it more neutral when you use MG filters and papers if you enlarge some photos in your wet darkroom.

Actually I think that the differences vs Tri-X (same processing) are very subtle if any, and if price matters, just use the cheapest of the two with no worries.

Freestyle still sells some rebadged Tri-X under the Arista Premium 400 brand for $2.19 each plus shipping (135, 36 exp.).

Time to stock actually.
 
I've been extremely pleased with Neopan (Presto) 400 in Fuji's Super-Prodol developer (I'm not sure if it's sold outside of Japan). It seems to show less grain, and perhaps more contrast? than D-76.

I hope they never stop making it. Otherwise I will cry.
 
I think I would also cry if it's discontinued. Neopan 400 (along with Neopan 1600) is my favourite B&W film. Developed in XTOL 1:1, it delivers the goods every time. The grain, the tonality, sharpness - it's all there. The results are quite nice when pushed to 800 or even 1600 as well, although probably not as well as Tri-X.
 
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