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The original Velvia is an ISO 50 film. However, many photographers manually
set their cameras to an exposure index (EI) of 40 or 32 to over-expose it
slightly (one or two thirds of a stop respectively) in order to yield less
saturated colours and more shadow detail.
In 2002, Fuji introduced Velvia 100F, which offers similarly saturated colors
but much lower contrast.
In February of 2005, Fujifilm announced Velvia 100 as a replacement for Velvia
50, which was being discontinued. Velvia 100 is about as saturated as the
original 50 version but has lower contrast. The newer speed also has finer grain
(an RMS granularity value of 8), and uses the color correction layers found in
Provia 100F.
In October 2006 Fujifilm announced the production of a new Velvia 50 film,
tentatively named "Velvia II"[2]. Fuji revealed that the original Velvia 50 had
been discontinued due to difficulties in obtaining some of the raw materials
needed to make the emulsion. Fuji had reportedly been inundated with requests to
continue making Velvia 50 since announcing the discontinuation. Due to this
demand, Fuji R&D worked to create a new emulsion which substituted different
materials in its manufacture yet retained the appearance of the classic Velvia.
The new Velvia film is expected to be available by the middle of 2007.
Long exposure issues
A problem with the original Velvia 50 is that it suffers from the effects of
reciprocity law failure much more than other films. Exposing the film for as
little as 16 seconds will produce a marked color shift, typically to purple or
green, depending on shooting conditions. Anything over four seconds requires the
use of blue color correction filters if correct color balance is required, and
anything over 32 seconds is "not recommended" by Fuji.
Velvia 100 is much better with longer exposures. A 2.5B color compensation
filter (CC0025) is sufficient to correct the color shift of an eight-minute
exposure for Velvia 100.
Velvia in cinematography
Many commercials have been shot on Velvia film stock, but it has rarely been
used for feature films. When used for movies, it is usually for shooting stock
landscape shots and special-effects background plates. One example is the 1998
film What Dreams May Come, which took place largely within a painting.
Since 2006, Velvia 50 D (also sold as Cinevia) is available in Super 8 via three
independent companies, Pro8mm in the US, and GK Film and Wittner Kinotechnik in
Europe. However, demand for it is higher than those companies together are
currently capable of properly supplying. Spectra Film and Video has also been
loading Fuji Velvia into Super 8 cartridges and for 16mm. They recently improved
the Kodak-supplied cartridges to ensure a smoother transport of Velvia film
through the cartridge.
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