via Film Photography: Fuji Reala 100 in 120 Format.

It seems like the new Kodak Portra has been getting all the love lately in film circles and deservedly so. Film shooters were upset to lose the VC and NC designated film for an amalgamation of the two, but I can’t imagine anyone is complaining about the new Portra 400 formulation. It’s one of the best color negative films I’ve ever used. The 400 ISO version is pretty much perfect no matter how you shoot it, but I haven’t been as thrilled with the new (and much pricier) Portra 160 ISO version.

Enter Fuji Reala 100, which is a slower negative film that is supposed to give very realistic tones, hence the name “Reala.” After shooting a few rolls of Reala, I’ve learned that it’s a very forgiving, realistic tones film. And on a recent vacation it definitely outperformed the new Kodak Portra 400 when I shot several rolls from a boat out on the water. The Fuji film just seems to handle summer type shots really well, but I wondered how it would stand up to everyday shots in the city.

The following were all shot with my Hasselblad 501cm and an 80mm f2.8 Zeiss Planar lens.

Darth Vader Kisses Child Luke, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Fuji Reala 100

American Flag on Rockaway Beach, Queens, Fuji Reala 100

Kate at Lorelei Biergarten, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Fuji Reala 100

Plants on 22nd Street, Chelsea, Fuji Reala 100

I recently purchased an additional A12 back for the Hasselblad at the bargain price of $70. It does have a light leak between the first and second frame for some reason. Although it doesn’t happen every time, I like the effect it gave here.

Light Leak on Tonka Toy Truck, Brooklyn Flea, Willimasburg, Fuji Reala 100

Pot of Flowers, Lorelei Biergarten, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Fuji Reala 100

A Stone Wave as Bus Stop Shelter, Rockaway Beach, Queens, Fuji Reala 100