Shooting the rarest Fujifilm film stock - Fujichrome Fortia SP
Ume(Plum) Blossoms, Kyoto 2023
A while ago I got hold of a couple of 35mm Fujichrome Fortia SP from a photographer who promised it had been kept frozen when they were still fresh.
Fortia SP is a Japan market only reversal film that was only sold between 2005 to 2007. Rumors on the interwebs is that these were a batch of Velvia gone wrong and repackaged as Spring/Sakura limited edition film stock.
Bamboo water fountain, Kyoto 2023
After being kept at the back of my freezer for several years, the opportunity to shoot the film finally came. I will be visiting Kyoto in early March. What better to shoot a ‘Sakura limited edition’ film on than actual Sakura trees! Well except early March isn’t exactly Sakura season yet in Kyoto.
Sakura Blossoms, Kyoto 2023
Luckily, Sakuras are not the only spring blossoms in Japan - Kyoto is quite well known for Ume/Japanese Plum Blossoms viewing. The hot pink Ume flowers were perfect for the film. I eventually manage to find in some temples a couple of rogue Sakura trees that decided to bloom early.
Kyoto 2023
Bamboo chozuya, Kyoto 2023
Student outing at Pontocho, Kyoto 2023
Here’s a summary of my experience with the film:
Film has more of an orange tint with hints of pink. I do not know if age of film comes into play here.
The greens look absolutely stunning! *Check the bamboo water fountain photo
Highlights were easily blown out compared to modern Provia/Velvia. Again, can’t tell if caused by age of film.
Would not use to shoot portraits as it makes skin tone extremely Orange.
Overall, I find the film unique with it’s color offering and had a lot of fun shooting and viewing the slides on a light screen. Would jump at the chance to get more rolls in the future.
