Lucky film is coming back

Ricardo Miranda · Jun 8, 2017

Got news that China Lucky film B&W SHD100 135 is to return to the market via what looks like a small company with links to China Lucky Company.
They will sell through Ebay.
120 is promised for September and Colour films as well.

See the Instagram and read the comments for more info:
https://www.instagram.com/luckyfilm_china/

chip j · Jun 8, 2017

Lucky us.

Agulliver · Jun 8, 2017

I shall definitely try it. I never did before...now it's back I shall give it a go. Will the colour be C41?

Paul Howell · Jun 8, 2017

Color is C41, in the 80s Lucky and Kodak had an agreement, Kodak sold Lucky an old color line and rights to Kodak emulsions. In the 90s Lucky was popular with real estate agents and others who wanted a cheap color film in 12 exposure rolls. The older Fuji color mini labs read Lucky as Kodacolor. Always seems not the same as current Kodacolor of the time, more gain. Don't know what changes Lucky has made.

TheToadMen · Jun 8, 2017

They're welcome (back). I wonder what the price will be.

Peter Schrager · Jun 9, 2017

Ricardo Miranda said:
Got news that China Lucky film B&W SHD100 135 is to return to the market via what looks like a small company with links to China Lucky Company.
They will sell through Ebay.
120 is promised for September and Colour films as well.

See the Instagram and read the comments for more info:
https://www.instagram.com/luckyfilm_china/

Give us the full report when you get your hands on these films...!!

Toffle · Jun 9, 2017

Good news!

A couple of hopes:
I hope it will still be without the anti-halation layer. For me, that was the most attractive aspect of the film.
I hope that the 120 base will be a little more flexible than the earlier version. It had a difficult time with the reverse bend required for my GS-1, and tended to detach from the backing paper and create accordions of film inside the film back.

Tom

Agulliver · Jun 10, 2017

For me, I suspect Lucky will represent a more economical way to shoot B&W 120. Given that none of my MF cameras has coated lenses, the lack of an anti-halation layer will only add to the kind of photography I tend to do with these cameras. I might even break out my original boxed Sinomax toy camera (Diana clone) but am more interested in getting more use out of my Kiev 6C and Zeiss-Ikon folder. But much fun could be had with box cameras too if the price is right.

Cholentpot · Jun 11, 2017

Can anyone answer this? Was Lucky Films sold under the Shanghai GP3? Because that's the film I learned MF on. In fact since it went bye bye I've cut back shooting 120 by quite a bit.

Alan Johnson · Jun 11, 2017

Cholentpot said:
Can anyone answer this? Was Lucky Films sold under the Shanghai GP3? Because that's the film I learned MF on. In fact since it went bye bye I've cut back shooting 120 by quite a bit.

I don't think so, IIRC GP3 did have an antihalation back. Lucky became part of a State Owned Enterprise when last heard of, that may have changed.
http://news.everychina.com/wz41808d/china_lucky_film_merges_with_casc.html

Cholentpot · Jun 11, 2017

Alan Johnson said:
I don't think so, IIRC GP3 did have an antihalation back. Lucky became part of a State Owned Enterprise when last heard of, that may have changed.
http://news.everychina.com/wz41808d/china_lucky_film_merges_with_casc.html

Think Lucky 120 would have the price point of GP3? As far as I recall the stuff was 2-3 dollars a roll.

cmacd123 · Jun 11, 2017

Both different, GP3 was made in Shanghai. the backing paper was similar.

Berri · Jun 12, 2017

TheToadMen said:
They're welcome (back). I wonder what the price will be.

http://m.ebay.com/itm/292146167196?_mwBanner=1

Agulliver · Jun 12, 2017

Berri said:
http://m.ebay.com/itm/292146167196?_mwBanner=1

Ouch....perhaps I won't be buying after all. But wish them the best.

Berri · Jun 12, 2017

Agulliver said:
Ouch....perhaps I won't be buying after all. But wish them the best.

Yes, not so cheap...

TheToadMen · Jun 12, 2017

Berri said:
http://m.ebay.com/itm/292146167196?_mwBanner=1

Well, this seller is too expensive (10 rolls for $65 + $40 shipping) for my taste. I can even get Tri-X, Fomapan and Berger Pancro cheaper than that.
Let's wait and see what other sellers put up for an asking price.

Ricardo Miranda · Jun 12, 2017

TheToadMen said:
Well, this seller is too expensive (10 rolls for $65 + $40 shipping) for my taste. I can even get Tri-X, Fomapan and Berger Pancro cheaper than that.
Let's wait and see what other sellers put up for an asking price.

Well, this is the only seller for now as it is the factory.
Expect if there would be any other sellers to be more expensive.

US $64 is about GBP51 give or take. About the same price as Ilford's FP4+ or HP5+.
Pity the GBP32 for delivery.

canvassy · Jun 12, 2017

I don't know if they're in full production yet, could account for the high price.

They've mentioned on instagram that the cassettes are reusable. If it drops in price I'll certainly pick up a 10 pack of it.

Arctic amateur · Jun 12, 2017

When the old supply of SHD 100 dried up, eBay prices of SHD 100 rose to match Ilford/Kodak levels. Presumably they're hoping the market will still bear that price.

RauschenOderKorn · Jun 12, 2017

I fear this will be "Unlucky Film" if they try to maintain this price level ...

Even without P&P, this is more expensive than Adox, Agfa, Kodak or most Ilford in Germany.

Cholentpot · Jun 12, 2017

Berri said:
Yes, not so cheap...

Well, no thanks guys. I buy from China because of price not quality. They need to undercut the big boys big time for me to buy. Where's talking half price of similar film and free shipping.

I did get an email from them that 120 will be back in September.

wahiba · Jun 12, 2017

I liked it when I tried it. Nice clear backing acetate seemed to scan well.
Hopefully someone in the UK will import in bulk as obvioulsy no worth buying from US.

Agulliver · Jun 12, 2017

I never bought Lucky film because I think the supply dried up around the time I got back into film after a few years hiatus....but I understand the chief selling point was price....it was cheaper even than Foma. I'd be happy to try it at those sorts of prices, but as it stands I can buy FP4+ at around the same price and I consider that a premium quality product. Maybe the new Lucky is just as high quality...but give me a reason to try or switch.

Berri · Jun 12, 2017

I don't see how they are going to survive the market, when you could buy fomapan 100 120 size for less than 4€
per roll. foma 100 is a great film for portrait!

pentaxuser · Jun 12, 2017

Pemberstone has just seen this ad on e-bay and looked at the £ to $ exchange post the UK election. There may not be much work done tomorrow at Mobberley due to the post celebration hangover affecting all the executives and workforce.

P is praying that Lucky doesn't mention the word Lomo or a phrase indicating this is new film that looks old. Only then will it be in trouble at these Lucky(unlucky) prices

pentaxuser

Lucky film is coming back

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