Minolta XD7 with Fuji 200 Colour Film

 

I have used the original Fuji C200 film previously and really liked all of the photos I got from using it.  Because it had been a few years since using it, I thought I would re-visit.  I bought a couple of rolls, not realising that they were Fujicolour 200 (which I assumed was to be the same as the C200, simply repackaged).  I must admit to being a little disappointed with this film, so I started in on some research to see if it was something I had done (or omitted to do) and to get a general feel from others about it.

Reading up on the original Fuji C200, it appears to have been discontinued in 2017 but, this has not been officially confirmed from Fuji.  I have read a few articles claiming that this new Fuji 200 is nothing more than rebranded Kodak Gold 200.  In one online video, a claim is made that Fuji has outsourced the production of Fuji 200 to Kodak which is simply using its own stock with Fuji packaging.  Who knows?  But, as I said, I was disappointed with this after using the original C200.

There appeared to be a marked increase in grain for this roll compared to those previous rolls I used.  The day of the shoot was overcast and dull but I didn't expect the grain that I got in some of the wider landscape shots.  Fuji 200 is touted as being a fine grained film but that is not my experience with this roll. No complaints about the colour; it held up and I didn't get a green cast as some of the reviews I have read, suggested happens in low light.  The light changed a lot on this particular day.  What started out as a few puffy white clouds in a blue sky, changed to grey and overcast by the time I arrived.  This changed to light showers and then to dark grey clouds with heavy squalls coming in from the sea.  One review of this film suggests over exposing (100 or 125 ISO) on dull days to avoid muted colours and bring out detail in shadows.  A black and white film would probably have worked better if I'd known it was going to rain.

One of the lenses I used, a Minolta MD 28-70mm zoom f3.5-4.8 with UV Filter attached gave a soft focus that sometimes appeared to be slightly out of focus.  I have used this lens before and think I will ditch the UV Filter to see how things turn out.  A little sharpening during editing improved the look.

This film is also reported to have a low contrast, which I can confirm.  Small adjustments to Contrast bought some pop back into some of the photos.

I did get other photos out of this roll but they are of my Grandson and, I am under strict orders not to post those photos on Social Media. 

I have another roll of this film in the fridge.  I'll have to get it out and go out shooting on a Sunny day to compare those things I have mentioned here.

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