Fujifilm Velvia 50 .
Fujifilm Velvia 50 is a hard-to-find colour reversal (slide) film that is only produced a few times a year. First released in 1990, it has been hard to find since 2005 because of issues with raw materials and changing priorities within Fujifilm. The raw materials have changed and when it becomes available (typically twice a year) outside New Zealand it sells out in minutes. In New Zealand it’s almost impossible to source.
So why does it sell out in minutes? Many landscape photographers prefer Velvia to other reversal and negative film because it is super sharp, has some of the finest grain of any colour film and is high in colour saturation.
This is not a beginner’s film. It requires accurate metering. Overexposure quickly leads to blown-out skies, underexposure can render dark areas muddy. Bracketing one or even two stops either side is sound technique when you’re not sure of the light.
It’s not well suited to long exposures. Over four seconds will require compensation owing to its reciprocity failure and colour shifts are common. That isn’t to say long exposures are not possible — just be aware of the challenges and mitigate with longer exposure times and a magenta colour-compensating filter if colour shifts are not wanted.
Velvia is a one-of-a-kind film. Colour reversal film is no longer common, and within that small group, Velvia 50 stands apart. Super fine grain, super sharp and heavily saturated. That’s why photographers love it and why it’s hard to find.
- + Landscapes
- + Bright scenes
- + When you want some of the finest grain in colour film
- − Portraits — choose Portra 160
- − Scenes in low light — choose Portra 400 or 800
- − Exposures longer than 60 seconds — choose E100
more from their film.
Grain is very fine. In 35mm it barely registers in high-resolution scans, and in 120, with less enlargement needed, it is a non-issue at normal print sizes. Usable range is about five stops: highlights go to clear film quickly, so meter for the brightest area you need to keep, while shadows hold detail well. Rate it at ISO 50. Exposures up to 1 second need no correction; from 4 seconds, add exposure and a light magenta filter, and avoid exposures of around a minute.
Fujifilm documents a one-stop push (EI 100) and a half-stop pull (EI 35), both with little colour shift. Contrast is high and colour strongly saturated, with neutral greys. Soft, even light suits it; hard sun forces a choice between clear highlights and black shadows. A light warming filter helps in open shade or overcast light. Dense shadows make it demanding to scan.
Refrigerate it, or freeze it for long storage. Fujifilm says to leave sealed film over three hours out of the fridge, or six out of the freezer, before opening. Load and unload out of direct sun, process soon after exposure, and ask for hand inspection at airports.