CatLABS X FILM 320 (35mm) and 80 (120)

[Agulliver]

Maybe go through the Massive Dev Chart and do a match based on dev times for different developers ;-) My bet is Shanghai GP 100

How well does Shanghai GP3 push? Catlabs state that their 80ISO film can be pushed up to 800.

The processing times don't really match for Catlabs 80ISO film and GP3.

 

[EdSawyer]

obviously it's not panatomic-x, let's just clear that up right now. agreed, probably some sort of lower-grade rebrand though.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I will wait to see how the film preforms.

 

[bvy]

I will wait to see how the film preforms.

Just look at the samples...

 

[miha]

Just look at the samples...

Where?

 

[Tom Kershaw]

Odd that no samples have been posted.

 

[AgX]

Where then would be the fun of speculating??

 

[Ryan Kemp]

I have received my shipment of 5 rolls of X Film 80 and have shot one roll. It is currently hanging and drying.

The curious thing is that the sticker to wrap the roll after shooting was labeled “Shanghai GP3”. I of course messaged the CatLABS Instagram account and sent them a photo. They have confirmed that this is NOT a rebranded Shanghai film, and states the following:

“Unfortunately, we had a limit to what finishing detail we could achieve. The factory used what they had on hand. Hopefully our next run will be fully branded... But the material should be superb“

Regardless, I should be able to scan the film soon, and I will share my results.

 

[canuhead]

but this would lead me to believe the film is coated in China otherwise why would they ship master rolls there ? Presuming Shanghai film is coated and finished in China

 

[Mackinaw]

I just wish they would tell us who coats the stuff. Why the mystery?

Jim B.

 

[Ryan Kemp]

I wish I had the answers. Regardless, here are some of my first few shots. Shot at 80 with my Bronica SQ, developed in HC-110 Dilution B at 68 degrees for 8:45, TF-5 fixer. Scanned with my Epson V600.

 

[MattKing]

I just wish they would tell us who coats the stuff. Why the mystery?

Jim B.

Most likely because it is coated by one of the entities who do toll coating for others, and also coat for their own product lines - most of those entities don't want their toll coating product confused with their own products, and so make it a term of their agreement to supply the coated product that they aren't publicly identified.

 

[AgX]

Why then put a "Shanghai GP3" sticker on it ??

 

[MattKing]

Why then put a "Shanghai GP3" sticker on it ??

It was likely a sloppy error.

 

[James Bleifus]

Finally, some samples. This is certainly more my look than, say, Japan Camera Hunter. I’m not sure that it’ll pull me away from HP5 or Tri-X, but maybe. I’m hoping to see more samples and reviews.

 

[bvy]

Where?

Maybe I'm confused. They're marketing a film without any sample images?

 

[Ryan Kemp]

It’s still too soon to tell, but I do like how flat most of the images scanned in. There are two issues that arose with this first roll of film. First, when loading it onto the plastic developing reel, it seems to be just slightly not wide enough. I managed to get it on, and it seemed to stay put pretty well during the development process, but once I PhotoFlo’d, the end of the film came out of the reel.

The second issue I’ve noticed is some small scratches on at least a few of the images. I’ve gotten my process down over the years and years of developing and scanning film, and I usually don’t get many scratches at all. I did use a film squeegee that I meticulously cleaned right before using, but this may be what introduced the scratches. We will see how these next 4 rolls look. I’ll be testing them with and without a K2 filter, trying some long exposures, and pushing a roll as well.

 

[Ryan Kemp]

Catlabs has made the following statement on their Facebook page regarding X Film in response to me inquiring about the packaging:

“We are loving these images and level of detail.
As some of you might have noticed, the sealing tape inside the roll (visible only when the whole roll has been exposed) is stamped with "GP3" giving clue to the facility that did the final assembly and finishing for our film. To clarify - this is our film, the factory was just using what they had on hand. For this production run, had we asked to have a CatLABS stamp on the sealing tape, it would have made the cost prohibitive. We much more prefer to bring you this awesome film at an affordable price.
So - lets get out there and shoot some awesome new film!”

 

[Richard Man]

I had 3 rolls added to the cart. but then shipping is over $8 so that hurts a bit.

It does look like Shanghai GP3, ha ha. My guess came from the fact that the new55 people said similar thing about their B&W film ("looks like panatomic X!") and then eventually disclosed that it was a Shanghai GP3 or derivatives.

I still have ~60 sheets of Shanghai 4x5. The cost is great, and perfect for when I need to do camera, lens or developer testing, and certainly hold up well as a good B&W film.

 

[OrientPoint]

So it's remaindered Shanghai GP3 in a box with a cat on it? That's a bit of a let down...

 

[EdSawyer]

it does appear that way (that it's Shanghai GP3).

 

[MattKing]

There are coating facilities out there.
There are finishing facilities out there.
Films coated by one entity aren't necessarily finished by the same facility.
Just think what fun we would be having if the Shanghai finishing facility had a bunch of old Kodachrome sealing tapes on hand.

 

[OrientPoint]

I find it unlikely that a darkroom supply store in Boston is (a) coating their own Pan-X derivative (b) shipping it to a facility in China for finishing and (c) after all of that electing to let the finisher reuse whatever they have on hand for finishing. If it looks like GP3, acts like GP3 and says "GP3" on the label, isn't the simplest explanation that it's GP3? There's nothing wrong with repackaging film, but why the misdirection?

I think I'll pass on CatLabs X and save my money for when CatLabs finally gets around to saving packfilm ;-)

 

[cmacd123]

IIf it looks like GP3, acts like GP3 and says "GP3" on the label, isn't the simplest explanation that it's GP3?

of course, WHICH GP3? if that is indeed what this product is.

I used to love 120 GP3, even back when it was sold as "J+C Pan 100". they had some bad batches with the black paper exposing the film, leaving just the area where the numbers were printed on the paper functional..

I found an e-bay seller who was selling what is supposed to be "New GP3" which came in a simalar box, but did not have the same edge print and was definitely on a polyester base. So it is unclear if that is from a related source. Giving Cat-Labs the doubt, perhaps they ordered a different type of film made by that factory? unlike manufacturers in Europe, or the States, it is really hard to know what goes on behind the scenes in China.

 

[Bronson Dugnutt]

CatLabs X 80 120 @ 80 (and the last @ 50 under strobes) in a Pentax 6x7 w/ 90mm f2.8 LS. Exposed as per in-camera meter outdoors; f8 1/60s with studio strobes at lowest power. Developed in 1+50 Rodinol for 15 minutes, tapered agitation.

Extremely thin, clear film base. Easy to load onto the development reel and no curling during drying. Seems to struggle with toe speed in daylight with the development process above. Positively imperceptible grain. Shoot this in the studio @ 50 ISO.