Fujifilm Presto 400

The Fujifilm Presto 400 is a black and white film. It was sold to local photographers in Japan. Outside the Asian country, it was known as the Neopan 400.

Sensitivity

Fujifilm Presto 400 is a panchromatic sensitized film for monochrome photography. Its sensitivity is given as ISO 400 in the data sheet. The ISO value defines the standardized light sensitivity of the film, where a higher ISO value means a greater sensitivity to light. With an ISO value of 400, this film offers a good compromise for different situations and allows use in both low and high light intensity.

Development of the film

In order to process Presto 400 film it is necessary to use a black and white developer. There are several options for suitable developers such as Rodinal, D-76, XTOL, ID-11 or Ilfosol 3. The choice of developer can have a significant impact on the end result.

Specific development times for the film may not be available for each developer. Therefore, it is wise to be experimental and cautious about getting the best results. After completion of the development process, the recorded images are obtained in the form of film strips.

As a next step, one can either choose to digitize the images or to use the traditional method of photo printing. Many development labs offer the option of making prints of the images.

For the digital form of the images, the analog film strips can be digitized with a scanner. There are numerous photo labs that offer the digitization of negatives, but it is also possible to use a scanner for home use. After digitization, various file formats are available to print out the images or share them on social media.

Storage

Due to the discontinuation of production, unexposed film material from the Presto 400 is often only available after the expiry date has passed. Although the expiry date is a manufacturer’s indication of quality, the footage can still be used. However, it is important to note that age and storage conditions can lead to a reduction in sensitivity. With older footage, it might be wise to set the exposure settings to a lower ISO to minimize the risk of underexposure in the photos.

In order to guarantee the quality of the later photos, it is advisable to store the unexposed film material in optimal conditions. A dry and cool place is the best choice for long-term storage. Exposed films should not be stored for too long and should be developed promptly in order to obtain the highest possible film quality.

Availability and Alternatives

The Presto 400 was only offered for 35mm cameras. One roll of film is enough for 36 shots. There was also a variant with 24 images. The film cartridge was provided with a DX code. Rollei, Olympus and Pentax are some of the manufacturers who offer / have offered suitable cameras for the 35mm format.

Fresh footage from the Fujifilm Presto 400 is no longer available. Production has been discontinued. A possible alternative for 35mm film is Kodak T-Max 400*.