There was a time when I found myself constantly frustrated with capturing moments exactly as I saw them. Relying solely on digital felt limiting, lacking a certain depth and soul. I yearned for a more tactile, deliberate approach to photography, something that felt less instantaneous and more meaningful. This desire is what eventually led me down the path of film, and solving this creative block was essential; otherwise, I felt my passion for photography would stagnate, leaving countless potential memories uncaptured in the way I truly envisioned them.
- 3 pack
- 400 ISO 35 mm film
- 36 exposures per roll
Considering Your Film Needs
Before you dive headfirst into the world of film photography, it’s crucial to pause and consider what you actually need. Film solves the problem of overly clinical digital images, offering unique aesthetics like grain, distinct colour palettes, and a rewarding process from capture to development. An ideal customer for film is someone patient, who appreciates the analogue process, enjoys anticipating results, and maybe even likes the hands-on aspect of darkroom work (or supporting labs!). If you need instant results, perfect sharpness every time, and don’t want the added cost and time of processing, film probably isn’t for you – sticking with digital is likely the better choice. Key factors to think about before buying film include: the ISO (sensitivity to light, affecting grain and needed shutter speed), the film type (colour negative, slide, black and white), the format (35mm, medium format, etc.), the number of exposures per roll, and the overall cost, especially if buying in bulk.
- Designed for use with Instax Mini line of cameras; Works well in low light
- Excellent consistency & Excellent processing robustness.
- High quality film for bright days
Introducing the Fujifilm Offering
The Fujifilm 600018965 Fujicolor Superia X-TRA 400 Color Negative Film (3 Pack) is exactly what it sounds like: a bundle containing three rolls of 35mm colour negative film, each offering 36 exposures, rated at ISO 400. This particular 3 pack of film promises versatility for everyday shooting, aiming to provide reliable performance in a variety of lighting conditions without needing a tripod or very fast lens. While the naming “Superia X-TRA 400” might cause some confusion given user feedback suggesting it performs more like standard Fujifilm 400 film, it positions itself as a solid, accessible option compared to potentially more expensive or specialized professional films from brands like Kodak or even other lines within Fujifilm. It’s a product well-suited for beginners just getting into 35mm photography or experienced shooters looking for a dependable, cost-effective bulk option for general use. It might not be the choice for someone needing extremely fine grain, highly specific colour rendition for professional work, or very high ISO for extreme low light, but for most casual to serious enthusiasts, it hits a sweet spot.
Here’s a quick look at some pros and cons:
Pros:
* Convenient 3 pack offers good value.
* Versatile 400 ISO suitable for diverse lighting.
* 36 exposures per roll maximizes shooting time.
* Accessible and widely compatible 35mm format.
* Produces characteristic colour tones and grain.
Cons:
* May exhibit noticeable grain, especially in challenging light.
* Some users note a tendency towards certain colour casts (green or orange).
* Potential confusion regarding its exact identity (Superia vs. standard 400) for some enthusiasts.
* Not ideal for situations demanding extremely low grain or specific professional colour accuracy.
Diving Into the Details
Having shot through countless rolls of this Fujifilm 400 film over time, I feel I have a solid grasp of its characteristics and where it shines – and where it doesn’t. The core feature set – 400 ISO, colour negative, 35mm format, 36 exposures, and arriving in a 3-pack – defines its utility and appeal.
The Versatility of 400 ISO: The 400 ISO rating is arguably the most significant feature for everyday shooting. This speed provides a fantastic balance between sensitivity to light and grain. You don’t need bright, sunny skies to get a usable exposure, nor do you typically need to resort to a tripod unless you’re in truly dim indoor or evening conditions. I’ve used this film comfortably in everything from slightly overcast days to shaded outdoor areas and even moderately lit indoor spaces. It offers flexibility, allowing you to shoot handheld with reasonable shutter speeds (think 1/60s, 1/125s, or faster) without needing the fastest lenses. This versatility means you’re less likely to miss a spontaneous shot because you don’t have enough light. Compared to 100 or 200 speed films, 400 ISO gives you a significant advantage in capturing movement or shooting in less-than-ideal conditions. The benefit is obvious: more keepers, less frustration with blurry photos from camera shake, and the ability to shoot in a wider range of environments throughout the day. It truly opens up possibilities for capturing life as it happens, indoors and out.
Colour Negative Film Character: Being a colour negative film, this Fujifilm 35mm film is processed using the standard C-41 chemistry, which is widely available at labs everywhere. This makes getting your pictures developed straightforward and relatively affordable compared to slide film or black and white film requiring specific processes. Colour negative film is also known for its excellent exposure latitude. What this means in practice is that the film is forgiving of minor exposure errors. You can often overexpose it by a stop or two (or even more) and still get perfectly usable negatives with detail in both highlights and shadows. While underexposure is less forgiving with any film, 400 speed helps mitigate this risk in trickier light. The colours produced by this particular Fujifilm film have a certain look to them. Over the years, I’ve noticed they tend towards cooler tones in greens and blues, characteristic of Fujifilm emulsions, though some rolls or development variations can introduce warmer or slightly orange casts as noted by some users. The benefit here is a distinct aesthetic compared to the often warmer, more vibrant look of Kodak films. It gives your photos a specific feel, which can be a strong part of your personal photographic style.
35mm Format – The Standard: The 35mm format is the classic choice for rangefinder and SLR cameras, making this film compatible with a vast range of cameras, from vintage mechanical beauties to more modern autofocus models. It’s portable, easy to load and unload, and offers a good balance between image quality and convenience. While medium format offers larger negatives and potentially finer detail, 35mm is significantly more practical for everyday carrying and shooting. The benefit of sticking with 35mm is the accessibility of cameras, lenses, and accessories, as well as the ease of scanning and sharing the resulting images. It’s the perfect entry point into film photography and remains a workhorse format for many experienced shooters, myself included. Using this 35mm film means you’re tapping into decades of photographic history and a massive ecosystem of equipment.
36 Exposures Per Roll: Each roll in the 3 pack gives you 36 exposures. For me, this is the ideal number for 35mm. 24-exposure rolls feel like they run out just as you’re getting into a groove, while 36 exposures provide ample opportunity to capture a sequence, experiment with different angles, or simply shoot more photos during an outing without needing to change rolls constantly. It encourages you to be more deliberate than digital (no endless clicking), but still allows enough shots to feel productive and capture a variety of moments. The benefit is fewer interruptions to change film, meaning you’re less likely to miss a fleeting moment, and getting more photos developed per roll often works out slightly cheaper at the lab on a per-image basis.
The Value of a 3-Pack: Buying film in a 3 pack is a practical choice for regular shooters. It means you have backup rolls on hand, reducing the chance you’ll run out mid-shoot. It’s also typically more cost-effective than buying single rolls individually. Film photography is an investment, not just in the camera but in the film and processing. Getting three rolls at once often results in a lower cost per roll, making the hobby slightly more sustainable. For someone who shoots regularly, having a small stock of this film ensures you’re always ready to load up and shoot whenever inspiration strikes. The benefit here is purely economic and logistical – save money and always have film ready.
Regarding the grain, 400 speed film inherently has more visible grain than 100 or 200 speed films. It’s part of the film look, and with this Fujifilm offering, the grain is definitely present, particularly noticeable in areas of flat colour or shadow. For some, this is a desirable aesthetic, adding character and texture to the image. If you are accustomed to the ultra-smoothness of digital or low-ISO films, the grain might be a slight adjustment, but I find it adds to the charm. The grain is generally pleasing, not overly harsh or distracting unless significantly underexposed or pushed during development.
Overall, my long-term experience with this Fujifilm 400 film has been largely positive. It’s a dependable, versatile film that delivers consistent results for general photography. While the exact “Superia X-TRA” branding versus standard 400 has been a point of discussion among users, focusing on its performance as a capable 400 speed colour negative film highlights its strengths: great exposure latitude, decent colours (with the characteristic Fuji lean), versatile ISO, and the practical advantages of 36 exposures in a multi-pack. It’s become a go-to staple in my film bag for its reliability and value.
What Users Are Saying
Looking around online, it seems many users echo my general sentiments, with some specific points brought up. Several people commented on the value proposition, especially for beginners, noting that getting three rolls for the price was a good deal compared to other films. The versatility of the 400 ISO film was also praised for everyday shooting. A recurring observation, however, is the confusion around the “Superia X-TRA” label, with some feeling the film they received was standard Fujifilm 400, exhibiting different colour characteristics (like a tendency towards green or orange tints) than expected from older Superia stocks. Despite this, many were still satisfied with the results they got from the film they received, finding the colours lovely and the grain acceptable for a 400 speed film.
Making Your Decision
If you’re looking to inject more feeling and a unique aesthetic into your photography, film is the way to go. The potential complications of not exploring this avenue mean missing out on a rewarding process and a different way of seeing and capturing the world. The Fujifilm 600018965 Fujicolor Superia X-TRA 400 Color Negative Film (3 Pack) is a great fit for solving this problem because it offers versatile 400 ISO for varied conditions, provides good value in a multi-pack for continuous shooting, and delivers a characteristic film look that digital often struggles to replicate directly. It’s a solid, dependable choice for exploring the analogue world or keeping your film camera fed. To find out more and grab a pack, Click here to check out the Fujifilm 600018965 Fujicolor Superia X-TRA 400 Color Negative Film (3 Pack).
Last update on 2025-07-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API