Back into Shanghai GP3 again

Snapshot · May 15, 2014

JW PHOTO said:
Is the what you have still in the red wrapper or has it been changed to the silver wrapper? I'm worried about the keeping properties due to the number bleed-through. My fresh stuff doesn't have it, but I'm wondering if it will creep in during long term storage? Time will tell I guess. JW

It's my understanding that the 'bleed through' phenomena came to attention of the makers of Shanghai GP3. As you can imagine, many people complained about the film and their response was that the 'bleed through' was a result of improper film storage, with high temperatures and humidity to blame. If that is the case, it's plausible that many batches held by retailers/wholesalers were not properly stored as temperatures and humidy can be quite high in parts of China/Hong Kong. This can account for the defects that many experienced when using this film.

My advice is to freeze or refrigerate the film as a cool environment will mitigate these conditions. Regardless, it's not much comfort to those already burned, especially considering the manufacturer could have revamped their product to avoid being susceptible to such a common environmental condition. Nonetheless, there is no guarantee that this will address the problem and I have not directly read anything from the manufacturer to corraborate what has been relayed to me.

Despite the potential for problem, based on the user experiences in the past (prior to the 'bleed' problem) and my own personal use, Shanghai GP3 is quite a decent film. If you don't mind the risk, it is a worthy addition to your shooting arsenal.

JW PHOTO · May 15, 2014

Snapshot said:
It's my understanding that the 'bleed through' phenomena came to attention of the makers of Shanghai GP3. As you can imagine, many people complained about the film and their response was that the 'bleed through' was a result of improper film storage, with high temperatures and humidity to blame. If that is the case, it's plausible that many batches held by retailers/wholesalers were not properly stored as temperatures and humidy can be quite high in parts of China/Hong Kong. This can account for the defects that many experienced when using this film.

My advice is to freeze or refrigerate the film as a cool environment will mitigate these conditions. Regardless, it's not much comfort to those already burned, especially considering the manufacturer could have revamped their product to avoid being susceptible to such a common environmental condition. Nonetheless, there is no guarantee that this will address the problem and I have not directly read anything from the manufacturer to corraborate what has been relayed to me.

Despite the potential for problem, based on the user experiences in the past (prior to the 'bleed' problem) and my own personal use, Shanghai GP3 is quite a decent film. If you don't mind the risk, it is a worthy addition to your shooting arsenal.

Mine goes right in the fridge and stays there. I'm going to keep two rolls from my first batch of 2016 stuff in the fridge and check one in 6 mos and one in a year and see what comes up. I like it so far except for the masking tape issue. JW

Snapshot · May 15, 2014

JW PHOTO said:
Mine goes right in the fridge and stays there. I'm going to keep two rolls from my first batch of 2016 stuff in the fridge and check one in 6 mos and one in a year and see what comes up. I like it so far except for the masking tape issue. JW

I'm not fond of the masking tape either but it's a minor issue for me. Curl has been a problem for many but I have not experienced any except for some lengthwise film curling at the end. The curling across the film is far worse problem and I've experienced with various brands, Kodak and Fuji included.

JW PHOTO · May 15, 2014

Snapshot said:
I'm not fond of the masking tape either but it's a minor issue for me. Curl has been a problem for many but I have not experienced any except for some lengthwise film curling at the end. The curling across the film is far worse problem and I've experienced with various brands, Kodak and Fuji included.

I agree that the sealing tape is a minor problem, but it's also a simple problem to remedy at a near zero cost. JW

Snapshot · May 15, 2014

JW PHOTO said:
I agree that the sealing tape is a minor problem, but it's also a simple problem to remedy at a near zero cost. JW

I bought a number of elastic bands for next to nothing. Actually, I prefer them because the form a tight seal. I consider tape more likely to unravel/unbind than the band to break.

JW PHOTO · May 15, 2014

Snapshot said:
I bought a number of elastic bands for next to nothing. Actually, I prefer them because the form a tight seal. I consider tape more likely to unravel/unbind than the band to break.

I'm using rubber bands on my finished rolls, but I don't like the tape tearing the backing paper at the beginning of the roll either. Just a small complaint of course. JW

wblynch · May 15, 2014

I have had rubber bands create pressure exposures that look like vertical light leaks down the center of the film. Dont' let them get too tight or sit on there too long.

JW PHOTO · May 15, 2014

wblynch said:
I have had rubber bands create pressure exposures that look like vertical light leaks down the center of the film. Dont' let them get too tight or sit on there too long.

I keep them just tight enough to stop the paper from unraveling and usually develop my film shortly after taking it out of the camera. I guess the Chinese haven't figured out the sealing tape thing yet. JW

Dr Croubie · May 15, 2014

JW PHOTO said:
I guess the Chinese haven't figured out the sealing tape thing yet. JW

I'd keep using the rubber bands even when they do. You don't want to go the way of Susan Ross.

JW PHOTO · May 15, 2014

Dr Croubie said:
I'd keep using the rubber bands even when they do. You don't want to go the way of Susan Ross.

OMG, I forgot about that! Licking can be hazardous to ones health. Lord knows that there are probably no restriction on the raw materials used for glue in China. Lead, Mercury, dung or whatever??? I try to buy NO food products from China and if their film had a "lick'em - stick'em" I'd let my neighbors dog lick it and not me.

Snapshot · May 15, 2014

Dr Croubie said:
I'd keep using the rubber bands even when they do. You don't want to go the way of Susan Ross.

Rubber bands it is!

Snapshot · May 15, 2014

wblynch said:
I have had rubber bands create pressure exposures that look like vertical light leaks down the center of the film. Dont' let them get too tight or sit on there too long.

Thanks for the heads up.

Xmas · May 16, 2014

sheet of small Avery labels in gbag write notes on label before stick.

Snapshot · May 16, 2014

Xmas said:
sheet of small Avery labels in gbag write notes on label before stick.

Another great idea. It is hard to write notes on a rubber band.

Athiril · May 19, 2014

JW PHOTO said:
I keep them just tight enough to stop the paper from unraveling and usually develop my film shortly after taking it out of the camera. I guess the Chinese haven't figured out the sealing tape thing yet. JW

I had one fuji roll I think it was or Kodak with tape, that had the leader paper folded back inwards then taped, rather than wrapped and then taped.

Removing the tape in the light like I always do and then letting the roll sit on the bunch - seen as I let go of the paper, a huge part of the paper had unraveled, like it was under tension of a spring or something.

Xmas · May 19, 2014

Snapshot said:
Another great idea. It is hard to write notes on a rubber band.

Cause Im clumsy I write note with back closed open back and stick label on spool with spool still in camera... on multi film shoot like wedding you can prelabel 1st 2nd etc., ...

Ive had too many problems with modern stickers.

MattKing · May 19, 2014

Xmas said:
Cause Im clumsy I write note with back closed open back and stick label on spool with spool still in camera... on multi film shoot like wedding you can prelabel 1st 2nd etc., ...

Ive had too many problems with modern stickers.

Good idea, but be sure to first tighten the film on the spool.

Xmas · May 19, 2014

Hi

If you use a sticker with the spool still on the take up mechanism follower the backing paper should still be tight.

I do try and use the supplied tape but manage to damage it frequently with Lomo (rebadged Ch), Ilford , Kodak and Forma.

And I do use shade as well.

The first thing I do is any writing on label, try the supplied tape, rotating still on mechanism, then label, then remove from mechanism.

Been known to drop 35mm cassettes.

Ambi clumsy.

wilper · Sep 12, 2014

JW PHOTO said:
Is the what you have still in the red wrapper or has it been changed to the silver wrapper? I'm worried about the keeping properties due to the number bleed-through. My fresh stuff doesn't have it, but I'm wondering if it will creep in during long term storage? Time will tell I guess. JW

I have only shot Shanghai GP3 with silver wrapping.

Sebast · Sep 12, 2014

do you know guys if I can find somes sheets (4x5) I try it in 120 and now I'll love to shoot 4x5 with it.

wilper · Sep 12, 2014

There's usually Shanghai 4x5 film to be found on Ebay.

It uses a stiffer base, but the emulsion could very well be the same, I get similar results with the two formats at least.

Back into Shanghai GP3 again

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