A while ago, I got hold of a couple of 35mm Fujichrome Fortia SPs expired in 2008. It came from a photographer who promised it had been kept frozen when they were still fresh. If you have never heard of Fortia SP it is because it was only sold for a short period of around two years in Japan. It is a color reversal film with native ISO of 50. Rumors on the interwebs is that these were a batch of Velvia gone wrong in manufacturing and repackaged as Sakura(Cherry Blossom) limited edition film stock for its strong pink color cast.
![Ume(Plum) Blossoms, Kyoto 2023](https://www.35mmc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/20230320-2023016-LEM6FFS050-28-z1920-1-1024x683.jpg)
The opportunity to shoot this film came early 2023. I will be visiting Kyoto early spring. What better to shoot the Fortia SP film on than actual Sakura trees! Well except when I am there in early March it isn’t exactly Sakura season yet in Kyoto.
![Bamboo water fountain, Kyoto 2023](https://www.35mmc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2023016-ZT35mmc-03-1-1024x683.jpg)
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 managed to find in a temple with a couple of rogue Sakura trees that decided to bloom early.
![Sakura Blossoms, Kyoto 2023](https://www.35mmc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2023016-ZT35mmc-04-1-1024x683.jpg)
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 and Velvia. Again, can’t tell if caused by age of film.
• Would not use to shoot portraits as it makes skin tone extremely Orange.
![Pontocho ochaya, 2023](https://www.35mmc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2023016-ZT35mmc-05-1-683x1024.jpg)
![Young ladies at temple front, Kyoto 2023](https://www.35mmc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2023016-ZT35mmc-06-1-683x1024.jpg)
Overall, I find Fujichrome Fortia SP unique with its color offering and had a lot of fun shooting and viewing the slides on a light screen. I think the film stock is more suited for landscapes with lots of greenery. Would jump at the chance to get more rolls in the future.
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I am a social documentary photographer based in Brisbane, Australia.
Check out my other photo projects and more photos of Fortia SP on my site
ZhanTehPhotos.com
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Julian Tanase on 5 Frames with Fujichrome Fortia SP and Yashica FX-3
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Thank you !
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Comment posted: 21/02/2024
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Comment posted: 22/02/2024