I wrote to Shanghai film about their 220 availability

[Cholentpot]

Don't mess with Grams.

Except Bubby didn't really say 'Tea'

 

[Donald Qualls]

Are there any advantages to 220 other than more shots per roll?

That's pretty much it. Twice the exposures means you only have to reload half as frequently, but no backing paper means if the film back gets opened mid-roll, more exposed frames will be damaged.

Reduced reloads was a big deal for professionals before digital -- if you were shooting models, sports, events, or weddings, reloads could cost you shots. Since 220 takes about the same time to reload as 120, the volume user could reduce the lost opportunities (and if you have an assistant to load for you, they had a better chance to finish the reload before you ran through the second magazine).

Now, not so much. I think most folks looking for 220 now are just trying to feel cool using their 220 equipment, but there's not much of that that won't handle 120 by one method or another.

 

[pentaxuser]

Dunno Mr. Pentaxuser.

Sounds like a bit of soft expectations. If you'd rep a car parts company and a shop of enthusiasts complain about a part and you spout some malarkey you'd get laughed out of the shop.

As my Grandmother says 'Don't pour tea on my head and tell me it's raining but expect to be excused because you only speak Russian'

Yes it really depends on (a) whether you really want 220 film and see any signs of Shanghai wanting to do better or (b) you have basically written it off as a company worth buying from

I am assuming that a few on the thread fall into the latter category despite it carrying risks but you are not in that category

pentaxuser

 

[Cholentpot]

Yes it really depends on (a) whether you really want 220 film and see any signs of Shanghai wanting to do better or (b) you have basically written it off as a company worth buying from

I am assuming that a few on the thread fall into the latter category despite it carrying risks but you are not in that category

pentaxuser

If they go back to their old prices I'd buy a brick or two to try out. If they keep their prices at 'A' tier for a 'C' grade product I'll keep steer clear.

 

[Auer]

Yes it really depends on (a) whether you really want 220 film and see any signs of Shanghai wanting to do better or (b) you have basically written it off as a company worth buying from

I am assuming that a few on the thread fall into the latter category despite it carrying risks but you are not in that category

pentaxuser

Is anyone really that desperate for 220 B&W film of questionable quality?
At this stage its a novelty at best imo.

A quality 220 film in color tho...

 

[pentaxuser]

It would look as if Shanghai may have conducted a worldwide survey on its film and attitudes towards its attempt to produce 220 and then submitted to IlfordPhoto pictures that sums up the 2 categories of views on it that I mention above.

If it is of any interest, go to IlfordPhoto.com then click on the Community section and then the Magazine section. There on the opening page there are the two portrait submissions of those interviewed. One taken in Salem U.S. and the other in, I think, Brazil as it involves a Brazilian lady. The Salem person clearly falls into the " completely out of love with Shanghai" category whereas the Brazilian lady seems to be still contemplating her position on Shanghai

pentaxuser

 

[Cholentpot]

I think also what needs to be mentioned. I doubt that the factory that produces the film is fully independent of the PRC. Film production in the past was considered critical infrastructure, I doubt that the Party would fully give up it's stake in something that was as critical as film. If this line of thinking is true then the production is being subsidized while leaving the private entity leeway to make some money off the production. If they sell nothing the production itself doesn't suffer. This is an asset to film shooters as Shanghai Films will takes risks that no-one else would. However it needs to be executed with a little more common sense.

 

[AgX]

It would look as if Shanghai may have conducted a worldwide survey on its film and attitudes towards its attempt to produce 220 and then submitted to IlfordPhoto pictures that sums up the 2 categories of views on it that I mention above.

If it is of any interest, go to IlfordPhoto.com then click on the Community section and then the Magazine section. There on the opening page there are the two portrait submissions of those interviewed. One taken in Salem U.S. and the other in, I think, Brazil as it involves a Brazilian lady. The Salem person clearly falls into the " completely out of love with Shanghai" category whereas the Brazilian lady seems to be still contemplating her position on Shanghai

I did what you said, but still got not the slightest idea what you are hinting at. Your post is enigmatic to me.

 

[MattKing]

If you have 220 film backs, or need a new back and observe the relatively low cost of them, it is frustrating to not be able to buy 220 film.

 

[pentaxuser]

I did what you said, but still got not the slightest idea what you are hinting at. Your post is enigmatic to me.

What you should have seen is a quite ferocious, frightening Halloween face on a clown and next to it a lady who appears to be considering matters. I had already given my view that we have two sets of people on this thread. One set appears to have fallen out of love with Shanghai and/or is angry with it and the other set are still wondering or thinking about whether to give Shanghai another chance. I had just happened to look on this weeks Ilford Photo Magazine section and saw the two portraits side by side and made the connection

They seemed to sum up the differences in attitude to Shanghai but don't worry about it. It may have made no sense to others as well

Just my British sense of humour and an attempt to lighten the mood that I see on so many threads.

pentaxuser

 

[AgX]

And now for something completely different...

 

[swchris]

"How not to be seen"

 

[Moose22]

If you have 220 film backs, or need a new back and observe the relatively low cost of them, it is frustrating to not be able to buy 220 film.

This. I shop for MF cameras and when I see that extra 220 back or insert all I think is "crap, I don't want that." Like a Polaroid back or whatever. But if 220 was available, I'd shoot it just to use the back I'm stuck storing but that nobody wants.

 

[pentaxuser]

It has now arrived in the U.K. at a place called Nik and Tricks and more quickly than I expected it to get to the U.K. Here's a quote from that site:
"Have to be careful how we write this as there’s nothing official been put out…but you are going to love what follows!

Once upon a time you wouldn’t entertain Shanghai film….despite the low price but all that has taken a rather brilliant turn for the better.

The factory, now in private not state ownership has been getting some assitance from a quality European manufacturer and the new emulsion they are using is excellent….far superior for the price you are paying

Fantastic for us, we get a high quality product for a silly price!

Seriously….give it a go, you’re going to be very happy!

We did, we like it a lot!"
Oh and by the way it is £9.69 makes the equivalent 120 price of £4.85. Still doesn't match Foma 100 in 120 but its close to HP5 and makes Tri-X, Acros and TMax 400 look very expensive indeed, none of which are available in 220 anyway

This post will of course make no difference to those for whom the acrimonious Shanghai divorce papers have been signed but it may be of interest to others

It remains to be seen how the British take to it.

I'll tell you what; there's a thread on Shanghai on a U.K. based film forum, so if any there choose to try the 220 I'll let you know their reactions to it

pentaxuser

 

[Cholentpot]

Alright, I'm making a 180 over here.

Shanghai fellas listen up. Kodak just announced a massive price hike for the coming year. Now is Shanghai's chance to strike! Kodak says 20% price increase? You say 40% price reduction. BAM! You corner the market. You'll sell more rolls than tootsie.

Go for it!

 

[MattKing]

I expect that the 500% to 700% increase in the cost of shipping a container from China to North America has something to do with the Shanghai price increases.
It certainly affects everything else.

 

[pentaxuser]

I expect that the 500% to 700% increase in the cost of shipping a container from China to North America has something to do with the Shanghai price increases.
It certainly affects everything else.

You are probably right Matt but is this not the after-effects of the global start-up as the world economy starts to ramp up to pre-Covid levels We do seem to be living in a crazy period at the moment with supply chain logistics problems but is there any reason why such charges will exist permanently

If the current Shanghai prices are the result of this then at some point things will return to normal, won't they and Shanghai may then be a position to seriously undercut the oppositions' prices?


pentaxuser

 

[Cholentpot]

I expect that the 500% to 700% increase in the cost of shipping a container from China to North America has something to do with the Shanghai price increases.
It certainly affects everything else.

Nah.

Prices were up before 'two weeks to stop the spread' happened.

 

[faberryman]

Shanghai fellas listen up. Kodak just announced a massive price hike for the coming year. Now is Shanghai's chance to strike! Kodak says 20% price increase? You say 40% price reduction. BAM! You corner the market.!

I am not sure how Shanghai is going to corner the market. GP3 100 in 120 is $10/roll at B&H. They are not suddenly going to start selling it a $6.00/roll. That is pie in the sky, so I'll assume you are just joking around. Ilford FP4 in 120 is $7.89/roll, and Delta 100 is $8.17/roll. Kodak TMX in 120 is $8.00/roll in a 5-pack. Even with a 20% increase, TMX will still be cheaper than GP3 100. Of course, if Shanghai is the only game in town for 220, it would ipso facto corner the 220 market (which is how big?), but 220 users are going to be paying a premium to not reload as often. And that is not taking in to account product quality. Seems like Ilford will be the big winner if it can hold its pricing.

 

[Cholentpot]

I am not sure how Shanghai is going to corner the market. GP3 100 in 120 is $10/roll at B&H. They are not suddenly going to start selling it a $6.00/roll. That is pie in the sky, so I'll assume you are just joking around. Ilford FP4 in 120 is $7.89/roll, and Delta 100 is $8.17/roll. Kodak TMX in 120 is $8.00/roll in a 5-pack. Even with a 20% increase, TMX will still be cheaper than GP3 100. Of course, if Shanghai is the only game in town for 220, it would ipso facto corner the 220 market (which is how big?), but 220 users are going to be paying a premium to not reload as often. And that is not taking in to account product quality. Seems like Ilford will be the big winner if it can hold its pricing.

Why not? Just a few years back it was less than $2.50 a roll. I was buying bricks for 10 for less than $20.

 

[John Wiegerink]

Why not? Just a few years back it was less than $2.50 a roll. I was buying bricks for 10 for less than $20.

I was too, but I guess free market enterprise and capitalism have now struck China and shut down the black market. I was buying it back then just before the so called plant revitalization began. Ahh, those were the good old days. JohnW

 

[Cholentpot]

I was too, but I guess free market enterprise and capitalism have now struck China and shut down the black market. I was buying it back then just before the so called plant revitalization began. Ahh, those were the good old days. JohnW

I think 'The Party' may have something to do with the crackdown. For now...

On the plus side, the price raise encouraged me to learn how to roll my own 120 from 70mm. Now I'm shooting 160NC and 400NC for pennies a roll. If anyone has a lead on more 70mm you know who to call.