Fujifilm Neopan Acros II 35mm Film - B&W ISO 100

Fuji Acros is most defiantly my favourite portrait film. It has a smoothness and sparkle to it like no other film I've come a across and is something I always take along with me to a Portrait shoot. It's relatively fine grained but it is there. However, the grain is super pleasing and really shows off a photo is shot on film rather then digital. It is slightly picky when it comes to exposure, but not to the detriment of using the film. The main negative for me is obviously the price point, which is very high compared to Ilford branded film. For me Acros is still worth it though.

I cannot recommend this film enough and hope that it's here to stay. Needless to say, if I only shot one film stock, it would be this!

I had been excited to shoot the film for a very long time and when composing my shots tried to envision what the image would look like based off of sample shots I had seen. However, my images looked nothing like it. The contrast is very high, with shadows rendered very dark. I home scanned this roll myself (for the first time) using Negative Lab Pro, but I doubt that the home scan is what has rendered these images so dark.
I used this film for an attempted start trail and I was very impressed (any floors in the image are likely light pollution, not the film), but I am uncertain as to whether that alone is enough for me to buy this film again. This is the second ever B+W film I have used, second to HP5+, so I feel I need to experiment more. I want to like this film and have another roll to experiment with, but the super high contrast is a bit much for my taste and, in my opinion, suits street photography more than nature photography.

Love this film. It has a lovely fine grain, great tonality with clean whites and plenty of detail in the shadows. A bit pricey but definitely worth a buy.

Greetings fellow Acros-ians, unlike football Acros 100 ii doesn't let you down in extra time. Although they could be flagged offside on price!

I tend to split the 35mm film sector into 3 zones £3-£8 is the value end of the spectrum where the most fun is to be had. The £9- £14 mid price or what I call "more bounce to the ounce" zone where brands put better ingredients into their emulsions. Last the premium zone £15- £20 with this roll in your camera "your photography goes to the next level"
Acros 100 ii not only qualifies for the mid zone on its spec but flirts with the premium zone as one of the most expensive BW films in 35mm format. Between me and you this film is fun as well. With Tri- X 400 its I came, I saw, I captured! the essence of photojournalism. Acros 100 ii with its long exposure prowess gives you another dimension in which to capture an image, seriously good fun.

The data sheet has 1 (one!) exposure correction for 1000s that's a staggering 16mins, it takes a photon of light 8 mins to travel from the sun to earth! No exposure correction is required for 120s / 2mins.WOW! I had intended to do a Velvia 100 vs Acros 100 ii 8mins long exposure review as Velvia 100 only needs a 2.5 magenta colour correction filter and a +2/3 of a stop lens opening @ 8mins. Acros 100 ii for 8 mins only needs + 1/2 stop increase in lends opening (the same +1/2 a stop opening for 1000s).

Poor technique will spoil your exposure. Don't be put off by reciprocity failure law formulas just read the data sheets relevant section (read up on reciprocity ; film gets less sensitive the more it is exposed to light) or read https://analoguewonderland.co.uk/blogs/best-film/the-best-film-for-pinhole-photography. Cover the eyepiece so stray light doesn't affect your cameras internal light meter when making long exposures. My camera is both manual and aperture priority. In low light with the camera in manual I take a meter reading in the finder and use my Lee ProGlass ND filter app (any app will do) to calculate what ND (neutral density) filter I need to get 2mins exposure time and adjust shutter speed lens aperture to suit. When ready to shoot, cover the eyepiece and switch to aperture priority. I use the self timer lever also which locks up the mirror helping reduce any blurring of the image. Press the shutter release button, self timer starts then after 10s captures the image, the inside of the lens cap!!! I can't speak for all camera function / procedures but a site that can and is a brilliant resource for classic slrs is www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/photography.htm

If you're on a photographic journey like me, Acros 100 ii is a must, if only to capture where you've been standing for 16mins.