Why Fujicolor Industrial 100 is a Great Choice for Casual Photography

Fujicolor Industrial 100 is a relatively affordable film originally made for the Japanese market, and it’s now also available internationally. The Japanese name for this film, 業務記録用カラーフィルム [(gōmu) kiroku-yō karāfirumu], is commonly translated as “Fujicolor Industrial,” though I believe a more accurate translation might be “Fujicolor Commercial Film” or “Powerful Color Film for Work.” This name reflects its intended use for business and professional purposes. Based on various internet sources, this film is less expensive than others due to its very simple packaging and the lack of advertising or marketing investment by Fujifilm.

Fujicolor Industrial is available in two speeds, ISO 100 and ISO 400. So far, I’ve only used the ISO 100 version, shooting two rolls—one with my Olympus 35DC and the other with the Minolta Dynax 7. Here in Taiwan, a roll costs about 150 NT$, which is roughly 4.50 Euros, though prices may vary depending on where you are.

A key question remains: what type of film is actually inside? It’s widely believed that this is a version of Fujicolor 100, as it’s the only 35mm ISO 100 film that Fujifilm sells in Japan.

The results I obtained were quite interesting. The colors are muted, which I find appealing, and they are generally well-balanced except for red tones, which can appear overly saturated and dominant. The film has a fine grain structure and appears sharp, but I noticed that the resolution seems lower than expected, particularly when capturing fine details—a curious combination that I found a bit perplexing.

Below, you’ll find example photos taken in various lighting conditions and environments, which should give you a clearer idea of how this film performs.

Photos taken with Olympus 35DC

View from Lionhead Mountain
View from Lionhead Mountain (獅頭山) over southern Taipei <Olympus 35DC>
Hiking trail markings
Hiking trail markings <Olympus 35DC>
Hiking around Lionhead Mountain
Hiking around Lionhead Mountain (獅頭山) south of Taipei <Olympus 35DC>
Hiking around Lionhead Mountain
Hiking around Lionhead Mountain <Olympus 35DC>
Hiking around Lionhead Mountain
Hiking around Lionhead Mountain (獅頭山) south of Taipei <Olympus 35DC>
Church in Taipei
Church in Taipei <Olympus 35DC>
Fire station in Taipei
Fire station in Taipei <Olympus 35DC>
Street art in Taipei
Street art in Taipei <Olympus 35DC>

Photos taken with Minolta Dynax 7

Lion sculpture at the Bamboo Mountain Temple in Linkou
Lion sculpture at the Bamboo Mountain Temple (竹林山觀音寺) in Linkou <Minolta Dynax 7>
Street artist performs in the Chianti Avenue Plaza
Street artist performs in the Chianti Avenue Plaza (香堤大道廣場) in Taipei Xinyi District <Minolta Dynax 7>
Inside the Bamboo Mountain Temple
Inside the Bamboo Mountain Temple (竹林山觀音寺) in Linkou <Minolta Dynax 7>
Zhulinshansi Park
Zhulinshansi Park (竹林山寺公園) in Linkou <Minolta Dynax 7>
Vendor selling toys in front of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei
Vendor selling toys in front of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei <Minolta Dynax 7>
Lomography shop for rent in Taipei
Lomography shop for rent in Taipei <Minolta Dynax 7>
Taipei 101 and World Trade Center
Taipei 101 and World Trade Center <Minolta Dynax 7>
Small temple parade in Taipei
Small temple parade in Taipei <Minolta Dynax 7>

Conclusions

Overall, I find Fujicolor Industrial 100 to be an interesting film with its muted colors and decent sharpness. However, its lower resolution makes it less suitable for certain types of photography, such as landscapes. That said, it’s a solid choice for casual shooting, offering good value for its price.

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