Review 2 of 2
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$0.00 Summary: The grain size is finer than either Fuji's of Kodak's 200 speed slide films and the resolution looks similar to 100 speed film. The grain size is the same as Kodachrome 25, which these days is no match for even ISO 100 consumer films such as Kodak Elite chrome 100 or Fuji Sensia.
Based on one test roll, I will be shooting my next roll of 400X at about 320 ISO rather than the claimed 400 ISO speed. The images (while very acceptable) were about a quarter to a third of a stop darker that similar shots taken on the same day using Fuji Velvia 100.
My film of choice for landscape/seascape photography will still be Fuji Velvia 100 or Kodak E100VS as I prefer the saturated colors that these films give for landscape/seascape scenes. However, I expect that Provia 400X will be my 'must use' film for action and low light shots.
The color balance looked good on my first roll of test shots which were all taken in Australia's Great barrier Reef area. The colors are, of course, less saturated than the Velvia 100 that I was mostly using at this location and perhaps a little more saturated than Provia 100F.
I understand that the films release has been delayed in some markets, including the US, perhaps due to excess stock of the older Provia 400F, which does not have 400X's fine grain structure, but should be available by September 2006.
Strengths: High speed and fine grain. Weaknesses: Should be called Provia 320X Similar Products Used: Fuji: Provia 100F, Velvia 100F, Velvia 100, Sensia
Kodak: E100G, E100VS, Extracolor
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