This was the first roll of Acros I ever shot. It came with the bikkuri case I ordered from Japan Camera Hunter. In honor of its discontinuation, I thought I should finally give it a shot. Having just returned from a month-long trip to the Philippines using mostly film and have gotten used to what the OM-1n can do, I needed another go. I took the opportunity to shoot a ramen contest happening in Queens along with scenes of clouds in the sky just after a thunderstorm on the Pulaski Skyway the following afternoon in New Jersey. I was blown away by the results.

Having read about the characteristics of ACROS beforehand, I lucked out that all my shots were in partly sunny mid-afternoon conditions. Box speed and sunny 16 were the only way to go. The tonal range, the density, the finest grain. What blew me away with the results was when I exposed for highlights, there was still plenty of shadow detail retained. I primarily shoot with Tri-X, almost always pushed a stop or 2 so it was refreshing to see such a broad range of grays without any of the blacks being crushed or whites being blown out.

After receiving the negs and scans back from the lab, I quickly ordered a 3-pack off eBay and am now eagerly awaiting its arrival from Japan. I could not believe how sharp it is. It’s such a shame that Fuji has decided to stop production of this very special emulsion. I can’t wait for the opportunity and the right occasion to use this film again. Once that 3-pack arrives, it’s going straight to the fridge.

Pros: sharpness; FINEST. grain. ever; tonal range.

Cons: low contrast; no longer in production.

I’ve always wondered what the big deal is with this film. Now I know why. As photographers, we crave overcast days but going against our best instincts, this emulsion comes alive on when there’s some sun.

~ Renato Valenzuela Jr.

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5 responses to “5 Frames… With Fuji NEOPAN ACROS 100 (EI 100 / 35mm format / Olympus OM-1n)”

  1. Christmas wish list:
    1) Acros II
    2) 120 Ektachrome 100
    3) Ferrania P30

  2. Nice work!

  3. Another plus no Reciprocity Failure for long exposures. Love the images well done. I did hear they might be bringing it back in 35mm.

    1. Renato F Valenzuela Avatar
      Renato F Valenzuela

      Thanks! I heard that as well. fingers crossed but I heard fujifilm is really adament about leaving the film industry. good point about reciprocity failure. I haven’t tried much long exposure on film but I’m quite eager now.

  4. This is my favourite 120 film 🙂

 

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