When I first started getting into photography in college, Neopan Acros 100 was one of the black and white films that my teacher recommended. Over the years, I tried out a ton of other black and white films, but there was always something special about Neopan Acros 100. It had such beautiful contrast, extreme sharpness, detail in the shadows and a true blackness that I always look for in black and white film. When I discovered that they were discontinuing it in 2018, I was devastated. I had taken Neopan Acros 100 with me all over the world; Paris, England, Scotland and all over the United States. It had become my go-to black and white film. I was super grateful though when Fujifilm announced that they’d be releasing a new version of the film in 2020, Neopan Acros 100 II. They have it available in 35 mm and 120, thankfully! These days, I’ve almost entirely switched to color film, but I finally decided to try it out and see if it lived up to the original version. I was planning a trip to Paris last year and decided it would be fun to re-enact my camera set-up from my first trip to Paris back in 2010 when I used the original Neopan Acros 100. I packed up my Canon Rebel K2 and Holga GCFN and a few rolls of Neopan Acros 100 II and even visited Versailles again, twelve years later, to test out the new version of the film using the same camera and location. I even made a YouTube video about our trip to Versailles and my thoughts on Neopan Acros 100 I vs. II, so make sure to give it a watch! :) I’ve included examples at the bottom of this post with Neopan Across 100 version I and then Neopan Acros 100 version II, in both 35 mm and 120 formats. I also took a roll of 120 Neopan Across 100 II to Kauai in 2022, so you’ll see a few Holga photos from our trip there too. :)
THOUGHTS ON NEOPAN ACROS I vs. NEOPAN ACROS II
I’m definitely thrilled that Fujfilm brought back a newer version of the Neopan Acros 100 film, but I’ll forever miss the original version. While the contrast and tones of the new version are beautiful and remind me of the original version, I find that there is some loss of detail in the shadows and highlights. It just doesn’t seem to perform as well in low light. I used to be able to pull more detail during scanning while still getting those dark blacks and bright whites. But still, it remains one of my favorite black and white films, with great sharpness and that classic black and white film vibe. There’s something so special about the tones, bringing nostalgia and a timelessness to the images that I find hard to replicate with other black and white films.
I still particularly love using Neopan Across 100 with the Holga, especially if I’m in a bright environment. I still haven’t found a film as sharp as Neopan Acros. I’m able to blow up my images on a massive scale, even when I take the images with a camera that isn’t that great. It’s really an incredible film, whether you use the new version or the old one.
WHERE TO BUY NEOPAN ACROS 100 FILM
NEOPAN ACROS 100 35mm II (new version)
NEOPAN ACROS 100 120 II (new version)
If you’re interested in trying out the original version, just know that it can get a bit pricey since it was discontinued. But you can still find it on eBay, just always make sure you’re buying from a reputable seller with good ratings!
NEOPAN ACROS 100 35mm I (original version)
NEOPAN ACROS 100 120 I (original version)
Feel free to leave any questions or comments below! Thanks so much for stopping by!
<3 Myles Katherine
EXAMPLE PHOTOS:
2010 | NEOPAN ACROS 100 35 MM I (original version) | CANON REBEL K2
2022 | NEOPAN ACROS 100 35 MM II (new version) | CANON REBEL K2
2010-2012 NEOPAN ACROS 100 I (original version) 120 FILM | HOLGA GCFN
2022 NEOPAN ACROS 100 II (new version) 120 FILM | HOLGA GCFN
