Shanghai update . . .

[goros]

Very basically, that certifcate says that you have your process controlled and a consistent quality. It doesn't mean that you have a top process or an outstanding quality. Actually, you could have that certificate and have a consistant 90% of rejects, if you have everything documented and controlled. Of course, I have exagerated.... a bit.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

Oh, I have a lot of respect for Thomas but I find even 3-4 defects to be spotted out on one print a very high average. I almost never have any visible flaws other than from dust on the negative at printing or, on sheet film, spots from dust on the film at exposure. I don't think I have ever seen the latter from any roll film though, just sheets.

I have a better hit rate in the summer than in the winter, for sure. It's so dry here in the winter, which causes tons of static in the air. Anything synthetic attracts dust like a sponge attracts water.

 

[RattyMouse]

As Simon pointed out ISO 9001 isn't a meaningless certificate.

It might be that you saw what bad practices in one country, but that doesn't mean other factories in other countries do the same.
And Harman and Foma are an example of that.

Companies in China can buy an ISO9001 certificate. Cash is all it takes. The developed world has to earn theirs by passing rather stringent audits every 6 months.

 

[JW PHOTO]

Hasselblad backs and GP3? Just had my second failure using GP3 in an older 12 back for my 500C. I don't think this film likes that semi-reverse film feed on the Hasselblad backs. That, and the darn tape they use is of very weak holding strength. It loads to the first frame and then when you wind on it tears the tape of. You then think things are going fine until you get in the darkroom and find out you can remove the film. You have to fiddle around just to get it out. So, if you want to use GP3 in a 'blad back I'd take the fresh roll into the darkroom/changing bag and re-tape it with some better tape. It's a shame since this film and Zeiss glass look very nice together. Come on China, let's have some better tape. John W

 

[Athiril]

Works fine in my RB67 backs, not sure how different they are.

 

[cmacd123]

That, and the darn tape they use is of very weak holding strength. It loads to the first frame and then when you wind on it tears the tape of.

That is my experience with the "Lucky" 120 film. I ended up retaping each roll before I used it. The GP3 has stuck together, but the camera with the worse backwards wind I have is a Mamaya so I don't know if the Hassy is worse in that department.

 

[JW PHOTO]

That is my experience with the "Lucky" 120 film. I ended up retaping each roll before I used it. The GP3 has stuck together, but the camera with the worse backwards wind I have is a Mamaya so I don't know if the Hassy is worse in that department.

It seems I'm mainly having the problem on the older C12 backs and not my newer A12 backs, but I don't want to take a chance on either one anymore. You just don't know you have a problem until it's far to late. Still a darn nice film worth the hassel/hassle of a few minutes to re-tape. I'm sure the Chinese will eventually get around to getting better tape since they now seem to be making a better GP3 film. I hope! I'd send them an email to let them know, but I just can't find the companies email address???? John W

 

[Athiril]

It seems I'm mainly having the problem on the older C12 backs and not my newer A12 backs, but I don't want to take a chance on either one anymore. You just don't know you have a problem until it's far to late. Still a darn nice film worth the hassel/hassle of a few minutes to re-tape. I'm sure the Chinese will eventually get around to getting better tape since they now seem to be making a better GP3 film. I hope! I'd send them an email to let them know, but I just can't find the companies email address???? John W

http://www.smpicgg.com/en/contact.php

 

[JW PHOTO]

http://www.smpicgg.com/en/contact.php

Athiril,
Thanks for the link and I'm going to bend their ear just a little. Won't hurt to express my views, both positive and negative. John W