China Lucky film merger

[Alan Johnson]

It is reported that film production will continue :
http://news.everychina.com/wz41808d/china_lucky_film_merges_with_casc.html

 

[ColdEye]

I liked the Lucky C-41 films, can't beat the price.

 

[CGW]

That's so comforting. I guess crap will continue to be available for years to come. Who needs high quality Kodak films anyway.

How bad and how cheap would make you smile? You'll be "Lucky" to have any.

The b&w 120 stuff wasn't totally awful--apart from the odd jam caused by the roofing paper-like backing material.

Overall, the press release's tone wasn't all that upbeat.

 

[tomalophicon]

Great news.

 

[brucemuir]

I liked the Lucky C-41 films, can't beat the price.

What is the C41 like...
high grainy contrast like superia 400 or Kodak gold
or lower muted like a Pro line 160s/nc?

I'm guessing the former? ? ?

 

[AgX]

The latest innovation on RA-4 paper comes from Lucky Film.

 

[tomalophicon]

Maybe we can get them to make R-type paper

 

[ColdEye]

I used the iso 200 and it's quite muted. There's also quite some grain. Then again, I liked it because it was really cheap, used it on my first film forays. Bought for like $1 a roll of 36 exposures. Are they the people who make the Shanghai 120 film? That thing curls like hell.

Here is a sample of the lucky 200, tho I think the grain is because of the bad scans.

 

[brucemuir]

It's just I don't understand why people buy this junk. Is a roll of Kodak film really so expensive? Is it really worth saving a few dollars on things like this? I don't get it.

Just thinking long term options.

 

[ColdEye]

In my case it was the only available option for c-41 film in our small town in the Philippines. The capital was a 3-hour drive and I rarely went there. And I was the only one still buying film.

 

[Mustafa Umut Sarac]

I dont know you but I dont like Lucky name , it reminds me horse races. Lucky Company looks like old timer , still in business for 60 years and with 7300 workers. Market value 3X of 19000 Kodak. May be 10 years ago , if Kodak invested in China more , there would be few factories at hand after US collapse.
IMHO , US is geographically vast and its not economical to serve few photographers there , other few photographers there. If monthly salary at Kodak is 3000 dollars , it makes 57 million per payment/month.
Its 1/4 of its market value. Its a miracle if this company could live with these payments and taxes , costs and market value.
Umut

 

[removed account4]

could it be ...
lucky and ilford will be the last ones standing ?

 

[Photo Engineer]

IIRC, the Lucky films of today are roughly based on Kodak formulas from the 80s. I suggest those who like them make a side-by-side comparison and then decide.

PE

 

[Roger Cole]

It's just I don't understand why people buy this junk. Is a roll of Kodak film really so expensive? Is it really worth saving a few dollars on things like this? I don't get it.

Maybe because you are LOOKING for more muted color and don't care about the grain? Or some people like grain for some things.

I've been pondering how I could get a less saturated, pastel look in a totally a analog workflow myself. I've been tracking some Agfa Portrait 160 on eBay. I wouldn't shoot something like that for general use but it could be just the thing for some purposes.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

One thing about Chinese film is when you shoot a roll you'll want to shoot another roll and an hour later.

 

[Alan Johnson]

The link says "particlarly in developing countries".I have read that consumer spending on non essential items gets going at an income of about $3,000 pa.A lot of people are beginning to pass this level.
IDK if they are future film users,not many post here.

 

[dehk]

Lucky bw film are alright as long as you don't buy the even cheaper reload stuff. You will love it especially if you like saran wraps.

 

[Curt]

No comment.

 

[Roger Cole]

Where does one find Lucky color film? Or is it only available in "developing countries?" A look on eBay turned up lots of 120 black and white but no color (or "colour" - searched both spellings.)

And no, I'm not crazy, and have Portra and E100G and E100SW in the freezer. Just curious about experimenting with something grainy and more pastel looking for some subjects.

 

[dehk]

Where does one find Lucky color film? Or is it only available in "developing countries?" A look on eBay turned up lots of 120 black and white but no color (or "colour" - searched both spellings.)

And no, I'm not crazy, and have Portra and E100G and E100SW in the freezer. Just curious about experimenting with something grainy and more pastel looking for some subjects.

They sell them at dollar stores in LA. And from what I heard, call up http://99only.com/ , they might have some too.

 

[MDR]

Michael it's easy to badmouth lucky film but I sometimes prefer the look I get with Lucky's B&W Films to the more perfect offering from Ilford or Kodak. In fact it's one of the most beautiful portraits Film I know and I personaly don't use it as substitute for Ilford and Kodak Film but along with them. Choosing a Film is like choosing a paintbrush every film creates a different stroke and has it's uses.

Dominik

 

[alexfoto]

I think i like it those mud pastel colors, i give a try.

 

[stavrosk]

Lucky was bad for me but a cheap film I loved was Mitsubishi. Made in Japan on the label and colours after the scan made me think Fuji.

 

[Thingy]

It's just I don't understand why people buy this junk. Is a roll of Kodak film really so expensive? Is it really worth saving a few dollars on things like this? I don't get it.

What intrigues me is that people will happily part with thousands for the best lenses but quibble at the price of quality film.

 

[36cm2]

One thing about Chinese film is when you shoot a roll you'll want to shoot another roll and an hour later.

I just laughed out loud on the bus on the way to work when I read this. People are looking at me funny. Hilarious.