UPDATE: Pricing released (see below)

According to a press release just published on Fujifilm’s Japanese corporate website, new Fujifilm NEOPAN 100 ACROS II – first announced here on EMULSIVE on June 10th 2019 — will begin shipping in Japan on November 22nd 2019 in 135-36 and 120 rollfilm formats.

According to the press release (Japanese version below), the company plans to hold events/exhibitions to promote the new emulsion, although it isn’t clear if this will be a Japan-only effort or if it will be supported in other important markets.

Pricing for the new film stock has yet to be formally announced but Japan’s Rakuten, Yodobashi and Bic Camera all have the film listed on preorder with shipping on November 22nd at a price of 1,040円 in both formats — appx US$9.50, €8.60 and £7.40.

While there is no confirmed release date for other territories, a Spring 2020 timeframe is highly likely according to my sources.

Fujifilm continues to state that ACROS II will have the “world’s finest granularity in an ISO 100 black and white film”, something already claimed by Kodak with it’s T-MAX 100 film stock.

A partially machine-translated (English) version of the official press release and the original Japanese release follow below.

FUJIFILM Corporation (President: Kenji Sukeno) realized the ultra-high image quality with the world’s highest level of granularity and three-dimensional gradation reproduction, and the black-and-white film “Neopan 100 ACROSII” “Across II”) will be released in Japan on November 22, 2019. “Across II” is available in 35mm size and 120 format.

The “Neopan 100 ACROSII” to be released this time has the world’s highest level of granularity and contrast of the subject as a black-and-white film with a sensitivity of ISO100, thanks to our original technology such as “Super Fine-Σ Particle Technology” (*1). Realized three-dimensional gradation reproduction and excellent sharpness. High sensitivity by precisely controlling the structure of the silver halide that captures light and forms an image, and high sensitivity by arranging photosensitive particles of different sizes in the light-receiving layer (*2) of the film By emphasizing the details of the texture, it is possible to make detailed descriptions in detail, while emphasizing the contours of the subject. We respond to a wide range of shooting needs, from landscape / mountain photography, portrait photography, product photography, architectural photography to long-exposure astronomical / night view photography.

In the future, we plan to hold events and photo exhibitions where you can experience the charm of “Across II” where you can enjoy deep and quaint expressions. We will also consider overseas sales.

As a leading company in the imaging field, FUJIFILM will continue to provide better products and services to meet the diverse needs of customers in a wide range of fields, from analog to digital. Will convey power and splendor.

*1 A technology that contributes to improving print quality by balancing the sensitivity and excellent granularity by precisely controlling the size and composition of silver halide grains contained in photographic film.

*2 A layer that forms a black-and-white silver image during the development process by being exposed to light from the lens during shooting.

富士フイルム株式会社(社長：助野 健児)は、世界最高水準の粒状性と立体的な階調再現で超高画質を 実現し、幅広い分野の撮影に適した、黒白フィルム「ネオパン100 ACROSII(以下、「アクロスII」)」を2019年11月22日に国内で発売いたします。「アクロスII」は、35mmサイズ、ブローニーサイズの2種類を展開いたします。

今回発売する「ネオパン100 ACROSII」は、「Super Fine-Σ粒子技術」（*1）をはじめとする当社独自のテクノロジーにより、感度ISO100の黒白フィルムとして世界最高水準の粒状性と被写体の濃淡がはっきりと表現できる立体的な階調再現、優れたシャープネスを実現しました。光をとらえて像を形成するハロゲン化銀の構造を精密に制御して高感度化することや、サイズの異なる感光粒子を効率的にフィルムの受光層（*2）内に配置して高いシャープネスを実現することで、被写体の輪郭を強調しながら、質感の細部に至るまできめ細やかな描写が可能です。風景・山岳写真、ポートレート、製品写真、建築写真から、長露光撮影の天体・夜景写真など幅広い分野の撮影ニーズにお応えします。

今後、深い趣のある表現が楽しめる「アクロスII」の魅力をご体験いただけるイベントや写真展の開催を計画していきます。また、海外での販売も検討していきます。

富士フイルムは、イメージング分野におけるリーディングカンパニーとして今後も“アナログからデジタルまで”幅広い分野において多様化するお客さまのニーズにお応えし、より良い製品・サービスを提供し続けることで、「一枚の写真の持つ力、素晴らしさ」を伝えていきます。

*1 写真フィルムに含まれるハロゲン化銀粒子のサイズと、その組成を精密にコントロールすることで、感度と優れた粒状性を両立させ、プリントの高画質化に寄与する技術。

*2 撮影時にレンズから入った光に感光し、現像工程で黒白の銀画像を形成する層。

You may view the original (Japanese) press release here.

Fuji ended sales of the original NEOPAN 100 ACROS film in all formats in late 2018 citing “a decline in demand for black-and-white film and difficulty in obtaining raw materials essential for production”.

The company credits the film shooting community — and it’s many requests for the film’s resurrection — as part of the motivation for bringing it back.

Along with ILFORD’s recent release of ORTHO PLUS 80 in 35mm and 120 formats, and Kodak’s continued work on 120 format T-MAX P3200 and 120/4×5 format EKTACHROME E100, it’s safe to say that film photography is both very well alive and growing.

Your thoughts in the comments below.

~ EM

{contribute]