The reason for my question is that, here in Indonesia, I can buy Fuji Superia film in 3 speeds: 100, 200 and 400. I prefer the 200 and 400 because they have the "extra layer", which seems to yield greater colour contrast; the 100 doesn't (at least, not here). I haven't noticed any significant difference in quality between the 200 and 400 but I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has. (BTW, I don't buy Kodak because the labs here tend to get poor results with it).

-- Ray Moth (ray_moth@yahoo.com), January 29, 2002

Answers

Hi Ray, Superia 400 X-tra is one of my favourite neg film. I read in Pop Photo about the comparison between Fuji & Kodak; they chose Superia 400 over the Kodak competitor. Try Reala (ISO 100); Fuji claim that it is the sharpest neg film they made, you can buy it in Fuji Image Plaza Slipi. Regards,

-- Andy Wijono (andywijono@hotmail.com), January 29, 2002.

I use Fuji 400 Sueria as my general purpose film. It has just the right amnount of contrast for lower light scenes. By the way, the Supria 400 sold here in the US says "4th layer" right on he box.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), January 29, 2002.

I use Superia 400 when I shoot color, and I can't tell the difference between it and slower Fuji films. It's cheap and I like the extra stop or two. I have never had a problem in getting quality prints.

I do think its colors are somewhat less uptight (if that's quantifiable) than its counterparts--maybe that's the Extra Layer, which I had assumed was a marketing ploy.

-- Preston Merchant (merchant@speakeasy.org), January 29, 2002.

". . . maybe that's the Extra Layer, which I had assumed was a marketing ploy."

This is true of most scientific and technological advances. It's a major reason why we use Leicas instead of rocket-powered, whizbang Japanese cameras.

It continues to amaze me that I figured out how to connect my Royal manual typewriter to the internet.

-- George (davecasman@yahoo.com), January 29, 2002.

I used a bit of Superia 400, and was generally pleased with it.

But if I can, I usu. stick with Reala. Reala does have the extra layer, I understand. Maybe the Superia is something like a 400 speed version of Reala...? Like you, I noticed that the Superia 100 and 200 was not advertised as having the extra layer.

My feeling on 200 films is that it's a marketing ploy to get more shelf space and sell more film. Kodak and Fuji have been advertising their film as made for "bright scenes" (100), "darker scenes and action" (400), and something lame like "all-around" (200) for people who can't make up their minds. It fills the apparent space between the 100 and the 400. I say just go with 400 if you need the speed; else, keep with the 100. The resolving power of your pricey lenses arguably will be wasted on 400 speed film (maybe that was true a few years ago).

-- Tse-Sung (tsesung@yahoo.com), January 29, 2002.

In this Leica Forum and elsehwere, there has been speculation, and someone apparently confirmed it, that Fuji Superia 800 and Fuji Press 800 were the same films with different packaging.

(Sorry I couldn't find the actual source of that info; it's here somewhere.)

I think the point is to select films for their speed or flexibility at certain ISO ratings. There are too many variables between your particular exposure setting and the final print to determine if something like an "extra layer" even exists at all.

Or, like me, buy what you can afford in bulk and shoot away!

-- Preston Merchant (merchant@speakeasy.org), January 29, 2002.