Shanghai GPX 400 220 terrible quality control

[Huss]

On Saturday I shot a bunch of 220 rolls through my Fuji GW690III. Only the Shanghai had issues - stripes and uneven emulsion throughout.
It's such a shame as the film looks like it could be great. But this is the fourth roll out of 10 I bought - and all four had defects.

 

[zanxion72]

Pity! I had the same issues with the 120 version. It is very rich in silver, but these faults disappoint by quite a bit. And it is not for the money spend, but for the effort spent on these.
(And I am a fool! I bought a batch of 10 proven to be faulty, and I tried by getting another one from another seller hoping for something that would work as expected.)

 

[Snowfire]

Their quality control is, alas, somewhat lacking. GP3 was a basically a good product but they ruined it by using cheap backing paper that tended to leach chemicals into the emulsion.

 

[Huss]

It's such a shame, because I think it has potential to be such a good film. I love the fine grain and tones I get out of it, but it is rare to have an image that hasn't been damaged in production.
Also they use the incorrect length leader paper on the 220 so you lose a frame.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

Hi Huss, have you tried Shanghai GPX400 again? is the quality control better? Are they still selling any 220? Thanks.

 

[Huss]

Hi Huss, have you tried Shanghai GPX400 again? is the quantity control better? Are they still selling any 220? Thanks.

Well the last roll I shot was in the end of June. I bought a batch of 10, and am now selling the last 7 I have.
There are too many production defects in the film for my taste. On all three rolls I've shot so far, so I'm not going to bother with the rest.

I'm selling them with the full disclosure that there may be marks, scratches and uneven patches on the film. Some people like that lomo-esque vibe..

After this experience I wouldn't bother with Shanghai film, which is a real bummer as it actually has great potential and no-one else makes 220.

 

[halfaman]

it actually has great potential and no-one else makes 220.

And that is probably why no one else is making 220 film. They don't want to sell film with defects.

I will stay with Foma when I want cheap film...

 

[Agulliver]

I thought the recent Shanghai 220 was rolled by hand? Can anyone confirm?

 

[Paul Howell]

All of the Shanghai Ive used in the past had serious issues with QC, worst of any brand that I have ever used.

 

[removedacct1]

CatLabs X 80 is the same stuff, rebranded. Worst film for defects I have ever used.

 

[destroya]

i shot a box (not the whole box but bought a box) of 4x5 and all but 1 sheet had zits and emulsion defects. sad as i like the tonality of the 1 good sheet. hopefully they can fix whatever their issues are. having more options is always nice, but usable options is the most important thing.

 

[Huss]

Well, I sold off my remaining stock. I would not recommend Shanghai film to anyone. I think this is also a big reason why retail stores in the US like freestylephoto won't carry it. They just don't want unhappy customers.

 

[gone]

FWIW, I had similar issues w/ the 120 version and stopped using it. That's a nice composition on your shot Huss, but a little on the gray side, which is what I was seeing w/ the 120 film as well. Hard to get bright highlights and black, blacks.