Re: Velvia 100 - First Impressions

[Caveman]

I just took a look at the Velvia 100 and 100f. It's all greek to me 
(japanese to be more exact), but I detected some differences:

100F will also be available in 4x5 5x7 and 8x10 sheets
100 mentions "CEL Color-Extension Layer technology" while 100F says 
"MCCL Multi Color Correction Layer technology"
100 has an extended response to red (sensible to radiations with longer 
wavelengths)
the RGB color densities in the 100F are holding together tighter than 
with 100.

And other two upgrades:

FUJIFILM INTRODUCES ENHANCED FUJICOLOR SUPERIA X-TRA 400 AND FUJICOLOR 
SUPERIA 1600 FILMS
New Films Incorporate Breakthrough Technology

PMA 2003, LAS VEGAS, March 2, 2003 – Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. is 
unveiling new versions of the Fujicolor Superia X-TRA 400 and Fujicolor 
Superia 1600 35mm color negative films. These high-speed films 
incorporate advanced new technologies which, combined with the existing 
4th Color Layer Technology, produce vibrant and accurate color even 
under fluorescent lighting, exceptional sharpness, and excellent gray 
balance.

The new Superia X-TRA 400 film achieves the world's finest grain in the 
ISO 400-class films* by incorporating the new Super Fine-SIGMA Grain 
Technology, a further advance over the Fine-SIGMA Technology introduced 
in the Fujicolor Superia X-TRA 800 film. Developed in order to achieve 
extremely fine grain as well as enhanced sensitivity by reducing by 
about half the thickness of the hexagonal crystals used in current 
Superia X-TRA 400, the Super Fine-SIGMA Grain Technology produces 
exceptional image quality even under low-light conditions or in 
enlargements. Photographers will notice smooth, natural skin tones with 
improved granularity.

The Fujicolor Superia X-TRA 400 is also a perfect match for the Fujifilm 
Frontier digital minilab. Now, through superior granularity, it is 
possible to ensure smooth, continuous image quality together with 
offering the exceptional sharpness and exposure correction performed by 
Frontier digital image processing.

In the new Superia 1600, sharp, crisp images, are achieved through newly 
developed Nano-Structured SIGMA Grain Technology. The combination of 
fine grain and high sensitivity is the result of a reduction, by 
approximately sixty percent, of the thickness of the hexagonal crystals 
used in the existing Superia 1600. This produces smooth granularity that 
one does not typically expect of high-speed film.

Fujicolor Superia X-TRA 400 and Superia 1600 produce vibrant, dynamic 
reds, blues and yellows as well as violets and greens with advanced 
fidelity, and incorporate Fujifilm's innovative 4th Color Layer 
Technology, enabling consumers to achieve vivid and faithful color 
reproduction. The three color-sensitive layers (red, green and blue) of 
conventional color film have difficulty responding accurately to certain 
hues. Fujifilm's 4th Color Layer Technology employs a 4th 
color-sensitive layer that essentially enables film to "see" color in 
nearly the same way as the human eye. As a result, true-to-life colors 
are reproduced accurately, even under fluorescent light.

Both films feature Super Efficient Coupler Technology which results in 
improved color development efficiency in these films compared to their 
predecessors.

"By further enhancing the Fujicolor Superia X-TRA 400 and Fujicolor 
Superia 1600 films, we are giving consumers the ability to document 
everyday occasions and events with the brilliance and quality that is 
sure to please," said Joe Vaughey, Senior Brand Manager, Consumer Film, 
Consumer Markets Division, Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc.

Available in late summer 2003 on an inventory-turnover basis, the 
Fujicolor Superia X-TRA 400 and Fujicolor Superia 1600 35mm films will 
feature the new packaging just introduced.