Back into Shanghai GP3 again

Athiril · Mar 13, 2014

Thought I would post this here as well.

I ordered some fresh GP3 on an order from China, but with EMS shipping, to check if EMS had any level of xray'ing that would affect film. Test revealed it didn't. Also revealed that I forgot just how much I like this film. The grain also seems excellent for a film of this speed that's non-T grain. Think I picked up a peak of 64 lp/mm with it on this lens.

RB67, Sekor C 90mm. Xtol Replenished 24 degrees, 5m 45s.

Dr Croubie · Mar 13, 2014

and no backing dots I see?

Athiril · Mar 13, 2014

I used to use this film years ago. I haven't had marks, numbers, or dots etc. There was a single exception, and that was attempting to push the film beyond 400, and that was more a texturised pattern.

I should mention this is fresh direct from China, expiry is dated 2016.

Dr Croubie · Mar 13, 2014

hmmm, you're tempting me to give it another go. I've only ever bought 3 rolls, the first two had major dots and the third is still in the freezer.
But yours certainly looks decent, so maybe it's worth another few bucks to try again one day...

gone · Mar 13, 2014

It looks sharp. My experiments w/ inexpensive films usually turn out to be expensive. Anyone tried this film in 135 format?

Rick A · Mar 13, 2014

I still have 50 rolls of GP-3 120 from an initial 100 roll order. I really like this film, so far no problems other than curling.

analoguey · Mar 13, 2014

My first batch of ten from eBay had the numbers on the film as well.
Where did you buy from?
I still use them for testing scenarios through.

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pdeeh · Mar 13, 2014

momus said:
It looks sharp. My experiments w/ inexpensive films usually turn out to be expensive. Anyone tried this film in 135 format?

I don't believe it exists in 135. It is available in 5x4 & 10x8 though.

I have nothing but good things to say about GP3 with one exception - the curl is so extreme that it is difficult for me to handle without damaging it, whether scanning or printing, and I can't find a way to stop it or even ameliorate it short of leaving under a pile of books for 6 months,

Never had the "print-through" problem, and it does seem to have been one (albeit very large) batch.
If it were less curly, I would be happy to use it all the time.

Terry Christian · Mar 13, 2014

I've never really cared for Shanghai, but I've used the similar film made by Lucky, and I like it. Plus it's available in both 120 and 35mm.

Richard S. (rich815) · Mar 13, 2014

Love this film.

ECHIUM - Emeryville Marina RolleiflexSL66 80PlanarSC ShanghaiGP3 Rodinal1-50 9min45sec 22C 30secAg 03-2011 VSmac 9000 Scan-110307-0007 cr FFw by rich8155 (Richard Sintchak), on Flickr

Berkeley Marina Ben Rolleiflex3-5E3 Xenotar ShanghaiGP3 Rodinal1-50 10min 20C 2010-12 VSmac 9000 Scan-101219-0001 by rich8155 (Richard Sintchak), on Flickr

EASmithV · Mar 13, 2014

does it curl badly in sheet film sizes?

Athiril · Mar 13, 2014

momus said:
It looks sharp. My experiments w/ inexpensive films usually turn out to be expensive. Anyone tried this film in 135 format?

You need a good scanner, or optically print to get that detail level. It's a Flextight 949 scan.

EASmithV said:
does it curl badly in sheet film sizes?

Don't know. Mine barely curls at all in 120. Has a very slight curl to it for me. But I hung mine in a heater film dried, and then allowed it to cool down while hanging as well.

Brac · Mar 13, 2014

It's good to see that this film in 120 size is still in production. I can't, at the moment, find the English language version of the manufacturer's website, but I do recall that it used to state that the film could be manufactured in 35mm, but there was a huge minimum order requirement. This probably put off dealers ordering in this size. Certainly I've never seen the film listed in 35mm by anyone.

Trask · Mar 13, 2014

Athiril said:
I ordered some fresh GP3 on an order from China, but with EMS shipping...

Can you share which vendor you ordered from? If you got good service, I'd take that as a recommendation.

chip j · Mar 13, 2014

Where do you buy Lucky in 135, please?

Athiril · Mar 13, 2014

Trask, sent you a pm.

What kind of Lucky film? Here is some fresh stuff - http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.1.k4p17X&id=3515633982

Some aerial film in 190mm http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.35.bj7eHP&id=36178062350

el wacho · Mar 14, 2014

could you also send your source to me?

thanks.

pdeeh · Mar 14, 2014

Exchanging suppliers by PM? It's not crack

I've always bought mine from holgadget.com, and they have been very efficient and very well priced.

analoguey · Mar 14, 2014

Do they deliver abroad as well?

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wilper · Mar 14, 2014

The prices on that Taobao site seem very nice. Is there any good way to order even if I don't speak Chinese? Do they take PayPal?

Terry Christian · Mar 14, 2014

I've always bought my Lucky film from random eBay sellers, who are usually in Hong Kong.

analoguey · Mar 14, 2014

Lucky same as shanghai?
I have bought it from HK sellers Isaac Chen and lomo

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ambaker · Mar 14, 2014

analoguey said:
Lucky same as shanghai?
I have bought it from HK sellers Isaac Chen and lomo

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Lucky is not the same, as far as I can tell.

I've dealt with Isaac as well. Fast and responsive.

My GP3 with the number and dots issue is dated 11/2014.

Anyone know when the issue ceased, or what dates to look for?

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Ricardo Miranda · Mar 14, 2014

I use this Ebay seller: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/URANIUM99-STORE?_rdc=1
Takes about 3 to 4 weeks delivery to the UK.

WayneStevenson · Mar 14, 2014

I shoot in 4x5. Get mine through Isaac Chen as well. Though a couple 25 packs had emulsion issues from last year. Haven't purchased more since but newer dated packs in that shipment didn't appear to suffer that problem.

Back into Shanghai GP3 again

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