Review of Fujifilm 400 Color Negative Film

      Fujifilm 400 Speed Color Negative Film is a recent release from a Japanese manufacturer, produced in the USA. This film stock is among the most cost-effective options available today, while also being versatile, color-accurate, and fine-grained. It serves as a replacement for Fujifilm’s previous Fujicolor Superia X-Tra made in Japan, which once featured a fourth cyan-sensitive color layer for improved tonality under mixed lighting—a technology that was famously utilized in their renowned Fijicolor Pro 400H emulsion. The first two chapters of this review will delve into the origins of this new film, but you can skip ahead to the technical specifications, sample images, exposure tips, where to purchase, and pricing details below. In this review: An unexpected partnership? A brief history of rival giants joining forces. Is Fujifilm 400 comparable to Kodak Ultramax? Fujifilm 400's color rendition. Grain, resolution, and sharpness. Dynamic range and exposure advice. Current pricing for Fujifilm 400 and purchasing locations. Support this blog and enjoy premium features with GOLD memberships!

      Fujifilm 400 paired with Canon FD 28mm 𝒇3.5 S.C. and Canon AE-1 Program.

      An unexpected partnership? A brief history of rival giants joining forces.

      Fujifilm and Kodak have been direct competitors since 1984. Founded in 1934, Fujifilm has over ninety years of experience in photographic film production. Initially focusing on domestic markets, they aimed to compete with Kodak by showcasing ads during the 1984 Olympics to reach a global audience. Kodak, founded in 1892, has been a significant player in the photochemical industry for over a century. However, in the early 2010s, as many consumers shifted from film to digital, Kodak filed for bankruptcy and emerged as Eastman Kodak Company.

      Despite its bankruptcy, Kodak continues to dominate the film manufacturing sector, supplying major motion picture films and offering the largest selection of color film for still cameras—surpassing Fujifilm. However, this is a mere fraction of its previous production output prior to the digital shift. Kodak's higher volume of film sales compared to Fujifilm stems from Fujifilm's consistent downsizing of its film production in favor of pharmaceutical products and digital photography. Last year, Fujifilm discontinued the Fujicolor Superia X-Tra, their latest ISO 400 color negative film made in Japan.

      The market dynamics that led Fujifilm to reduce its extensive array of unique, high-quality film offerings to just a few have changed over the past few years. Film photography has become a viable market once again, if not to the extent it once enjoyed. Presently, Fujifilm's film production involvement is not zero: its Instax line remains popular; made-in-Japan Velvia and Provia films are currently in production. Additionally, black-and-white Fujifilm Acros II is now produced in the UK, likely by Ilford, the UK's only large-scale black-and-white film manufacturer, while Fujifilm 400 is made in the USA—presumably by Eastman Kodak, the sole large-scale color-negative film manufacturer in the country.

      The details behind the collaboration between these former (and current) rivals have not been publicly disclosed or acknowledged by either company. However, it seems reasonable to propose that a) Kodak is looking to boost profits by increasing film production, and b) Fujifilm wishes to maintain its relevance in film photography but isn't inclined to handle domestic manufacturing. This notion is supported by recent reports of Fujifilm outsourcing film development to China.

      Fujifilm 400 paired with Canon FD 28mm 𝒇3.5 S.C. and Canon AE-1 Program.

      Is Fujifilm 400 comparable to Kodak Ultramax?

      Neither Fujifilm nor Kodak has specified the manufacturer of Fujifilm 400 in the US. However, considering the complexity of color-negative film production and the scale of necessary manufacturing facilities, it is likely produced at Kodak's multi-billion-dollar plant in Rochester, NY. Fujifilm operates a color paper and QuickSnap camera factory in Greenwood, South Carolina, which may play a role in the overall process, although it's not equipped for film manufacturing.

      Rumors circulated online suggesting that Fujifilm is merely repackaging Kodak Ultramax 400, Kodak's budget ISO 400 film, following the launch of Fujifilm 400 in 2023. Some comparisons between the film characteristic curves indicated similarities but not exact matches, with Ultramax appearing to show more contrast in shadow areas. The side-by-side comparisons displayed only minor differences, and it was unclear if these were artifacts from scanning software processing. Through careful examination of various color ISO 800 film stocks and controlled comparisons, it appears that differences between certain film lines may be minimal enough that they don't significantly aid in understanding their distinctions.

      That said