• Welcome to Photrio!
    Registration is fast and free. Join today to unlock search, see fewer ads, and access all forum features.
    Click here to sign up

Shanghai GP3 100 220 - still an unfinished product?

Testing new C22 105DS Shanghai 220 D23
by Nokton48, on Flickr

Testing long exposures in new Mamiya C33 105DS lens Shanghai 220 D23 dev. Thirty second exposure. Omega DII Omegalite head laser aligned Arista RC #2 paper Multigrade dev. Came out kind of high key I sort of like it
 
Shanghai 220 Low Key Valentine Roses C22 105DS D23
by Nokton48, on Flickr

Testing Shanghai 220 in D23. Mamiya C22 105DS lens Broncolor 80x80cm Softbox Modeling Light Only Silver Fill Panel just off camera right. My old low key OMNI Muslin Background it's beeg 10x20 feet. Happy to use it again. Omega DII Omegalite laser aligned Arista RC #2 paper in Multigrade dev
 

Do you know how much time and electricity it takes to 3D print even a simple item such as a 620 spool?

It's viable for individuals or boutique, hand rolled films. The good news here is that *someone* is making 620 and 127 spools and backing paper. Maybe, in time, they might sell them onto Kodak or other film manufacturers. Though for the time being, Shanghai have the potential of a niche market to themselves.

I was in a charity shop a couple of weeks ago and pointed out to the staff that the 620 Brownie they have going cheap now has film available for the first time in 25 years....they were quite incredulous at first, thinking that both Kodak and Ilford had stopped making film altogether but then realised they could mention that the "special" film was still available and ask a few more quid for the camera. It's still only £10.
 
Do you know how much time and electricity it takes to 3D print even a simple item such as a 620 spool?

Fortunately, somewhere is China is already producing metal 620 spools, so 3d printing them would be unnecessary. I bought a bunch recently to have spare takeup spools for my adapt-a-roll holders. I paid about $2.50 a spool, but I'm sure that if Kodak were to do it (not that its likely or that they should) they could get them for cheaper.

(and I do agree with you that 3d printing doesn't scale to industrial level production.)
 
I would imagine 127, 620 and 220 are very low priorities for Kodak. And it's not just the spools, it's the automated machinery to complete the process. Possibly a longer term project as they've just relaunched Gold in 120 format. That will likely be a winner and bring in funds to help R&D on more film products. If Shanghai actually make a success of these formats, maybe someone else will take note and look into factory made colour film in those formats.
 

I do not see enough market for 127, 620 and 220 for Kodak to bother with and 220 has paper supply problems and lack of demand. Every time in the past when I looked into 220, Kodak never made enough types of film in that format to making it interesting or useful for me. I can use 120 in my Kodak Brownie Hawkeye camera with a 620 take up spool.
 
I agree! Sirusly I do! 620 would be the only one Kodak might attempt since the only difference is the spool. 127 would be too much trouble and 220 might not be a big enough market. The bet is that Kodak never attempts bringing back any old format from the past and it will depend solely on a company like Shanghai to do it. My hat is off to them on their endeavor. JohnW
 
220 Shanghai twenty rolls. by Nokton48, on Flickr

Firstly I purchased four rolls and liked the results. So I ordered and got another twenty rolls, to give it a good go. So far only one roll has jammed at about frame 19, I reloaded the roll in the camera, and was able to force it through and finish it.

I do like this film! So a month ago I ordered another twenty rolls, and recently asked for status. Due to Shanghai closing down during covid, long delays possible. I asked for a refund and got within ten minutes to the seller's credit. Unfortunate situation but not giving up

I have in the deep freeze 220 HP5+, Plus-X Professional, and Tri-X Professional. I tried to load up as 220 was being closed out and discontinued. I am saving this film for future and going with Shanghai for now
 

You are getting some beautiful results! People will see this and it will help Shanghai keep this going if they want to. With all the work you are doing, Shanghai ought to send you some free rolls!
 
Thanks Mark

Yes free rolls Please

I just reordered twenty rolls 220, from Ebay Hong Kong this time.
 
Last edited:
I see GP3 220 being sold on Ebay for $22 Canadian right now. I'm tempted to get a couple rolls. I've never shot 220 before. How is the quality control now on current fresh stock? Are people still seeing issues with it?
 
Just a heads up.

I bought 5 rolls of GP3 220 from Amazon and they arrived in one day with free Prime shipping. And to my surprise they are fresher than the eBay offerings at 01/24 vs 10/23 from eBay listing descriptions. Prices are more or less the same. Before I checked whether Amazon had any I ordered 10 rolls from a Chinese eBay seller and those will take a month to arrive. Meanwhile I am waiting for the A24 back from KEH and will shoot a test roll. I hope it doesn’t jam like some reviews say.
 
I see GP3 220 being sold on Ebay for $22 Canadian right now. I'm tempted to get a couple rolls. I've never shot 220 before. How is the quality control now on current fresh stock? Are people still seeing issues with it?

Only issue I have had, is one roll jammed at frame 19. I reloaded the roll in the dark, and finished the roll. But I am still going on with what I have, which is quite a bit
 
My twenty rolls from Ebay are moving along I see. I have enough on hand to last until it gets here. And Ebay and Paypal give me some help if any issues

Thirteen Bucks a roll is not bad for fresh 220 in my opinion. And I like the look of it in D23 1:1
 

$13/roll for 220 is an excellent price, no matter what. Let alone the fact they are the only ones making 220 film!
It makes my Fuji GW690II a far more usable camera - being able to get 16 shots per roll vs 8.
 
"$13/roll for 220 is an excellent price, no matter what. Let alone the fact they are the only ones making 220 film!
It makes my Fuji GW690II a far more usable camera - being able to get 16 shots per roll vs 8."

Absolutely agree. Great price and quality is excellent. Makes my Hasselblads and TLR Mamiyas far more usuable. Always ran out of film at the wrong moment and lots of 120 loading is tedious, and I missed photo opportunities because of it. Now I have three 220 Mamy backs and I could use one more!
 
I didn't use much 220. It would be nice to have some Ektar and Tri-X. I have a few rolls of Portra in 220.
 
Almost 220 season for me. Can't wait to load up my tester rolls and see what happens.
 

Did you use eBay? Which was the shipping method? Did it take too long?

EDIT: I've read you're using Ebay HK right now. But i ask about the shipping you already received.
 
Last edited:
Hi Flavio,

The film was bought most recently here;


I think it was DHL, or similar. BTW the film is now within my local zip code. QUICK shipping and note: good dating

Hong Kong is in quarantine and they refunded my money within hours. Good people, they are with the official website. Have NO IDEA when stuff will ship again

The place above had the best deal IMO. I'll report when I get 'em
 
Twenty more rolls Shanghai 220 arrived here yesterday.

Total shipping time from Hong Kong -sixteen days-.

Happy-Happy
 
My Stash of 220 Film by Nokton48, on Flickr

My Stash of 220 Film.

In the center back, twenty rolls fresh Shanghai 220, to go with what I already have in stock and loaded. On the back left, forty rolls of bought fresh 220 TXP, when B&H was closing it out. Always deep frozen. In the front, eleven rolls of 220 PXP bought wherever I could find it. Usuable but questionable. And in the center, five rolls of 220 HP5+ bought fresh and frozen. Wish I had more HP5+ in 220, I used it for B&W wedding or two. And finally lower right, a propack of 220 Konica 160. I'll use this for frame spacing tests. Thanks to Mr Fujicaman for sending me the 220 Konica!

So enough to feed my 220 cameras and backs for a while.
 
Last edited: