Shanghai GP3 100 220 - still an unfinished product?

[Cholentpot]

The price rise coincided with the deal made with CatLabs. Obviously, CatLabs wouldn't make the deal unless Shanghai Film assured them that they wouldn't undercut CatLabs pricing structure. The thing that amazes me is that some private Chinese fellow isn't running "black market" GP3 film cheap on the big auction site. Well, I guess this isn't about pricing, but about GP3 220 film, so I'll leave it there.

I was waiting for some guy to pop up on Ebay and sell bricks. It's all scammers. It'll happen at some point though, they'll have a spat with Catlabs and just flood cheap 120 once again. I hope...

 

[Huss]

Those scams are also on etsy. Etsy is actually much worse than ebay if there is an issue, they just say it is between you and the seller.
i just had an etsy seller try to scam me, but I paid w paypal so will get that back.

 

[Nokton48]

I've been continuing to use Shanghai 220 with great results with D23 1:1. It's going smoothly through the Mamy C22's and C33's, and also the Hassy A24's. No jam ups at all and negs look great to me. I like beefy negs and this film fits the bill. Got quite a few good negs to print as I have the time and frame of mind. I'll post here so you can see what I'm talking about. This film brings utility back to a lot of old gear I own

 

[John Wiegerink]

I've been continuing to use Shanghai 220 with great results with D23 1:1. It's going smoothly through the Mamy C22's and C33's, and also the Hassy A24's. No jam ups at all and negs look great to me. I like beefy negs and this film fits the bill. Got quite a few good negs to print as I have the time and frame of mind. I'll post here so you can see what I'm talking about. This film brings utility back to a lot of old gear I own

All this talk about GP3 finally got to me. I just ordered 10 rolls of 120 and will see if it's the same as the last time I used it. Figured out to about $6.50 a roll, including tax, so that's not a bad deal. 220 actually works out better yet price wise, but I'd prefer to stick with 120 for now. I had a couple of jams with my A12 backs when Shanghai first came back on the market after the factory upgrade. Seems the tape wasn't sticky enough and the film went one way and the paper backing went the other in my A12 back. We'll see how it works this time around.

 

[Donald Qualls]

My only experience with GP3 so far is a single roll of 220 run through a Graflex RH20 -- ran smooth, aside from the slight gear crunch (nothing to do with the film, obviously). Got several more rolls of that to try, and a Mamiya 6x7 on 220 back I just need to reassemble (had the frame plate off trying to fit a 35 mm mask). I haven't processed that roll yet, but I expect this will make a nice alternative to Fomapan 100, and there are times when 220 is the right choice.

 

[Klaus_H]

I used some rolls of GP3 220 in a Fuji GW690, a Fuji GS645 and a Bronica SQ-A.
I had no trouble to in using the film.

 

[John Wiegerink]

Good to know they found a better tape or taper. Ha-ha! My ten rolls of 120 are on the way. I will run at least two rolls through the Hassy A12 back that jammed from bad tape the last time I tried the film. The rest will be devoted to other cameras, including old red window folders. I want to see how GP3 numbers show up in those dim red windows.

 

[redbandit]

it seems to be better then alot of nay sayers claim. But most nay sayers seem to be married a bit to much to ilford or kodak to be impartial on the topic

 

[Klaus_H]

If we do want fresh 220 black and white film we do have only one chance: Shanghai GP3.
My experience with GP3 identifies the film as 220 confection of FOMApan 100.
Even though I prefer Ilford films for good reason, with 220 film only GP3 is available.
Use this film, or forget 220 black and white film.

 

[John Wiegerink]

The last time I used GP3 was shortly after they resumed production after the so called, factory upgrade. Unless they changed the emulsion, the film I shot wasn't Foma 100. I actually like the GP3 better than Foma 100. I'm not saying you couldn't be right, Klaus. I'll find out when my film gets here, I guess.
I did just load five 4X5 film holder with GP3, but this GP3 was bought just after they started back up again. I did run into a slight problem with the 4X5 sheet film when I loaded it in the holders. I had one sheet that had no notches at all, and it felt like some of the other sheets had very shallow notches. I'll know more about the notching after I develop the film.

 

[Klaus_H]

My post #234 is about GP3 100 220 (Emulsion number: 3101 - Develop before: 2024-02).
I've testet it against fresh FOMA 100 (Emulsion number: 022655 8 - Develop before: 2025-02).

Environment:
Light source: 5600 °K
Object: gray card
Exposure meter: Pentax Spotmeter (ZoneVI modified)
Exposure from zone I to X
Densitometer Heiland TRD 2

Both films developed in the same developing tank with 3 different developers.
exposed at 100 ASA: ADOX Atomal 49 1+1; 20°C; 14 minutes (Zone I 0.15; Zone VIII 1.29)
exposed at 80 ASA: ADOX FX39 1+14; 20°C; 11 minutes (Zone I 0.13; Zone VIII 1.31)
exposed at 50 ASA: PMK 1+2+100; 21°C; 10 minutes (Zone I 0.11; Zone VIII 1.21 [white light source] )
The densitometer readings of both films differ in a range of about 0. 03 across all 10 zones.

For me both films are identical.

My tests with the 135 format Shanghai showed: GP3 135 is the same as ORWO UN54 (at least for the films I purchased).

For I do not use large format, I've no idea what is inside of the Shanghai boxes.

 

[John Wiegerink]

My post #234 is about GP3 100 220 (Emulsion number: 3101 - Develop before: 2024-02).
I've testet it against fresh FOMA 100 (Emulsion number: 022655 8 - Develop before: 2025-02).

Environment:
Light source: 5600 °K
Object: gray card
Exposure meter: Pentax Spotmeter (ZoneVI modified)
Exposure from zone I to X
Densitometer Heiland TRD 2

Both films developed in the same developing tank with 3 different developers.
exposed at 100 ASA: ADOX Atomal 49 1+1; 20°C; 14 minutes (Zone I 0.15; Zone VIII 1.29)
exposed at 80 ASA: ADOX FX39 1+14; 20°C; 11 minutes (Zone I 0.13; Zone VIII 1.31)
exposed at 50 ASA: PMK 1+2+100; 21°C; 10 minutes (Zone I 0.11; Zone VIII 1.21 [white light source] )
The densitometer readings of both films differ in a range of about 0. 03 across all 10 zones.

For me both films are identical.

My tests with the 135 format Shanghai showed: GP3 135 is the same as ORWO UN54 (at least for the films I purchased).

For I do not use large format, I've no idea what is inside of the Shanghai boxes.

Klaus,
If that's the case then maybe Shanghai Film Co. or whatever it's called, didn't update its emulsion making line, but closed it down. Now they only assemble the product and don't manufacture it. Who knows?

 

[Agulliver]

I've shot some of the recent GP3 in 127, 120 and 620...not tried the 220 yet.....but I will eat a pair of my dirty socks if it's Fomapan 100.

 

[Huss]

it seems to be better then alot of nay sayers claim. But most nay sayers seem to be married a bit to much to ilford or kodak to be impartial on the topic

It seems a lot of nay sayers do not have any hands on experience with the film.

 

[AnselMortensen]

Some folks here just like to say "Nay!"

Shanghai 220 film and CatLabs 320 film are cases in point...

I say "Yay!"

 

[redbandit]

It seems a lot of nay sayers do not have any hands on experience with the film.

ive also known alot of people who can qoute every Kodak technical bulletin since 1970, but dont have the ability to tell me in their own words, how to load film into their favorite camera

 

[Sirius Glass]

ive also known alot of people who can qoute every Kodak technical bulletin since 1970, but dont have the ability to tell me in their own words, how to load film into their favorite camera

The need to RTFM, where the 'F' means something different from friendly. When I sold cameras, I was told by the manager not to show the customer how to load film so that the buyer would have to take out the manual and read it at least one, hopefully more than once.

 

[Henning Serger]

My post #234 is about GP3 100 220 (Emulsion number: 3101 - Develop before: 2024-02).
I've testet it against fresh FOMA 100 (Emulsion number: 022655 8 - Develop before: 2025-02).

Environment:
Light source: 5600 °K
Object: gray card
Exposure meter: Pentax Spotmeter (ZoneVI modified)
Exposure from zone I to X
Densitometer Heiland TRD 2

Both films developed in the same developing tank with 3 different developers.
exposed at 100 ASA: ADOX Atomal 49 1+1; 20°C; 14 minutes (Zone I 0.15; Zone VIII 1.29)
exposed at 80 ASA: ADOX FX39 1+14; 20°C; 11 minutes (Zone I 0.13; Zone VIII 1.31)
exposed at 50 ASA: PMK 1+2+100; 21°C; 10 minutes (Zone I 0.11; Zone VIII 1.21 [white light source] )
The densitometer readings of both films differ in a range of about 0. 03 across all 10 zones.

For me both films are identical.

My tests with the 135 format Shanghai showed: GP3 135 is the same as ORWO UN54 (at least for the films I purchased).

For I do not use large format, I've no idea what is inside of the Shanghai boxes.

Hello Klaus,

thank you very much for the info!
Highly appreciated by me, as you know your stuff, have the knowledge and experience for such tests, and generally being a reliable and trustworthy source.
Maybe you can present your results live on our next film photographer meeting in Hannover . Looking forward to it!

Ich wünsche Dir einen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr!
Viele Grüße,
hau rein,
Henning

 

[Henning Serger]

Klaus,
If that's the case then maybe Shanghai Film Co. or whatever it's called, didn't update its emulsion making line, but closed it down. Now they only assemble the product and don't manufacture it. Who knows?

John,

at least there have been rumors about exactly that for quite some time. But of course we all should be very careful with rumors in general.

I think it makes sense to continue to monitor that topic and do comparison tests of further batches with Shanghai films and the "usual suspects" of film types which are used for rebranding.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[John Wiegerink]

John,

at least there have been rumors about exactly that for quite some time. But of course we all should be very careful with rumors in general.

I think it makes sense to continue to monitor that topic and do comparison tests of further batches with Shanghai films and the "usual suspects" of film types which are used for rebranding.

Best regards,
Henning

Henning,
I do agree about rumors, but they do prove true from time to time. The only thing I know for sure is that there was a deal worked out between CatLabs and Shanghai Film, but that's all I know. I was just throwing the question out there about them now having film made somewhere other than China. I actually never heard that rumor thing until you just posted it. That's why I said I'll come to my own conclusions about GP3 100 in 120 when my film arrives.

 

[Klaus_H]

Shanghai film offers OEM film confection in different film formats < Link >.
It is not unlikely that CatLabs and ORWO use , or have used, Shanghai's services. If I am not mistaken, Shanghai offered 135 film in metal cassettes until a few weeks ago and has now switched to plastic cassettes. The same thing happened at ORWO with NP100 and NC500.

 

[Henning Serger]

Shanghai film offers OEM film confection in different film formats < Link >.
It is not unlikely that CatLabs and ORWO use , or have used, Shanghai's services. If I am not mistaken, Shanghai offered 135 film in metal cassettes until a few weeks ago and has now switched to plastic cassettes. The same thing happened at ORWO with NP100 and NC500.

Yupp, and recently FilmoTec/ORWO has confirmed in one of their statements on social media that their confectioning partner for 135 is located in China.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[John Wiegerink]

Yupp, and recently FilmoTec/ORWO has confirmed in one of their statements on social media that their confectioning partner for 135 is located in China.

Best regards,
Henning

Wow! Now, that's certainly news to me. Good or bad? I don't know, but at least I now know a little bit. Pretty soon, it's going to be hard to tell who makes what.

 

[MattKing]

Pretty soon, it's going to be hard to tell who makes what.

It already is - but that isn't necessarily bad.
It would not surprise me to see a consortium investing in a for-contract modernized "confectioning" partner.

 

[Craig]

I looked up some prices, and in Canada I can buy HP5 cheaper than the GP3, both 120 size. I'll be sticking with Ilford.