New Fuji Film: Astia

[P3D Paul Talbot <ptww@xxxxxxxxx>]

The June '97 Shutterbug has a small write up on a "totally new"
slide film from Fuji, called "Astia."  (The film was announced
last year, but is just now becoming available.)  It is a pro
grade ISO 100-rated film "developed specifically to meet the
needs of commercial photographers and, in particular, fashion
photographers, who need accurate flesh tones and accurate color
renditions of fabrics."  Other claimed enhancements include no
less than 6 (six!) acronyms for various film technologies at work
in this new emulsion, including SUFG (Super Uniform Fine Grain).
I wonder if the grain uniformity of SUFG will result in less
objectionable grain patterns for stereo?

The reviewer (Bob Shell) found the film handled both pastels and
bright colors with exceptional accuracy, and says it produces the
best skin tones he has seen in a transparency film.  He did find
that this "one emulsion batch from early production" had to be shot
at EI80 instead of the rated 100, however.

This film does *not* replace Provia, which is still available for
times when "punchier, slightly exaggerated" colors are still needed.
Although not stated in the article, the Astia is presumably lower
contrast than the other Fuji chrome films.  (From what I have read
elsewhere, the public's insistence on eye-popping color rendition
is a contributing cause of the trend toward increasing contrast of
color films.)

Paul Talbot


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