Fujifilm Neopan Acros 100 was discontinued last year – but a new version of the analog film is now on its way! This must be one of the most unexpected comebacks in the history of photography. Fujifilm stopped production of its last black-and-white film in October 2018 – and we all the discontinuation of Neopan Acros 100 would mean that would be the end of monochrome 35mm and roll films from the Japanese manufacturer. But this week Fujifilm is announcing that it is launching a brand new black-and-white film, which is due to go on sale in the autumn… almost a year to the day after its predecessors demise. The black and white film will be relaunched as Fujifilm Neopan Acros 100 II. Acros 100 II is being touted as been better than its predecessor offering ‘unsurpassed resolution, fine grain and sharpness, with exceptional detail satisfying a broad range of shooting scenarios and exposures’. Fujifilm claims that the phoenix-from-the-ashes revival is all due to demand from demand from younger photographers, who are discovering silver halide photography for the first time. Comeback by demand “As the demand for film rapidly decreased over the past decade and raw materials became difficult to obtain, it caused the company to discontinue marketing black and white film.” reads the press announcement. “Thanks to consumer feedback, particularly from millennials and GenZs, who have become the new film enthusiasts, the market is changing once again. To meet the needs of this new market, Fujifilm is reviving Acros II”. Killing off and then bringing back films is not entirely new phenomenon. Kodak has brought back Ektachrome slide film and T-Max 3200 black and white filmback into production in the last couple of years. Neopan Acros II will be released in Japan. The ISO 100 film will be available in both 35mm 36-exposure canisters and 120 medium-format rolls. Via: digitalcameraworld
