Fujifilm FP-100C Film Stock Review

Fuji FP-100C Film Stock Review - FilterGrade

Fujifilm, Fujifilm, Fujifilm… Why, oh why?!? Why on earth would you ever discontinue this invaluable, highly demanded film stock? I, alongside countless other members of the film community, am willing to just give up all all other film if that’s what it will take to get this film stock back!!

This is pretty much how I feel after shooting with Fujifilm’s FP-100C peel apart film stock every single time. Nonetheless, here we are; just waiting, hoping that Fujifilm, or a competitor will bring back instant, peel apart film!

Today, I’ll be going over one of my all time favorite film stocks – Fuji’s FP-100C, and why it is one of the most renown film stocks of ALL TIME.

All photos © Moloney Creative Agency.


Peel Apart Film? What?

Yeah, it is a bit confusing at first, especially since it’s so outdated now, but really all you do is shoot, let the film sit and develop for a minute, and then peel apart the instant photo from the film negative. This is what it looks like below:


Fujifilm FP-100C

Like I had previously mentioned in the intro, this (unfortunately) discontinued film stock was, and still is, loved by tons of photographers all across the world. The film stock became very famous by the 1980’s after Andy Warhol’s Polaroid photos of famous celebrities took the world by storm.

Although Warhol wasn’t using Fujifilm’s FP-100C for these shoots, it was his creative way of making photos that paved the way for peel apart film. Once people saw the process of peel apart film, it became a fun way to shoot fashion photography and portraits.

Photo Credit: CasualPhotophile

One of the main reasons; however, why peel apart film became so popular in the late 1900’s was because of the duality that it provided. Many hobby photographers use this film stock specifically for the instant, positive image, but many professionals adore this film stock because you can also save and clean the negative, or in other words – what most people just throw away.

If you save the negative part of the peel apart film, you can actually scrub away the chemicals with bleach and create a clean negative to scan later. This is VERY useful for professional photographers because they are able to see the positive, instant photo as a test shot (which they can also use!) and they can also have a real color negative film photo for prints!


Features of Fujifilm FP-100C

Of course, if you’re reading this then you’re probably a fan of, or at least intrigued by this film stock; and for good reason. When it comes to this film stock I can think of countless positive features, but at the same time, there are two HUGE drawbacks to this film stock. Find out what the best features and the worst drawbacks are below:

Instant Photo

Let’s just start with the obvious – when you shoot with this film, all you have to do is shoot and then peel the film apart and you have a real, physical photo. It’s the most pleasing feeling and it’s so enjoyable to shoot with for the photographer, and for the subject. Being able to share the physical quality of the image with someone that you’re shooting with is truly an incredible experience and it provide for a great atmosphere to shoot in.


Image Quality

Apart from actually getting a physical photo right before your eyes, when you shoot with Fuji FP-100C, you’re paying for PROFESSIONAL film and you can see what that means in the photo.

The image quality with FP-100C is the highest quality instant photo film I’ve ever come across. Partially it’s because you can use this film with so man modular cameras so you can really manipulate the light and work with better lenses than say your typical Polaroid or FujiFilm instant camera that you can find now-days. For example, check out these photos below that I shot with the Mamiya RZ-67. Using a Polaroid film back for the camera, I was able to load Fujifilm FP-100C into the camera and shoot these insanely High Quality portraits.

Now, these photos above are insanely sharp because of the camera itself and the lens, but the film is what’s able to bring those vibrant colors to life.

Below are some examples of this film, shot with a Polaroid 104 Land Camera. This is an older, pack film camera with a much different system than the Mamiya RZ67, but FP-100C is still able to capture those natural colors and bring them to life INSTANTLY.


Drawbacks (Hint, it’s Discontinued)

The worst part ever is having to accept the fact that Fuji FP-100C is no longer produced. After reading all the amazing features and seeing all of these cool photos, it still doesn’t change the fact that is is a discontinued film stock.

And because it’s discontinued, there comes a dilemma. Fujfilm stopped producing FP-100C in 2014 and it was cited that it was due to lack of demand. However, the demand today is higher than ever and because of it, the price is also insanely high for any available or existing Fujifilm FP-100C. On Amazon, a 5 pack of film is going for $599 (and who knows if it has even been stored properly!)


There’s Still Hope!

Regardless of all the sadness that comes with Fujifilm FP-100C, there’s still hope. Supersense, an analog concept store based in Vienna, is currently producing a new type 100 pack film that’s been backed by over 2,000 people (myself included!). The new pack film is set to ship out to the United States in August 2020 and I am anxiously waiting for the day that it comes in the mail!

See some of the Supersense pack film photo examples below and pre-order for yourself so we can help keep the film community alive and thriving!


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