Shanghai film in 4x5, 8x10 and larger- user experiences?

[dimento]

Hi all

just wondered how people find Shanghai film in terms of grain, tonality etc. Do they still offer special order of larger formats than 8x10? I found a thread from 2019 mentioning the annual order for special sizes but haven't seen anything since.

Thanks, D

[Vaughan]

I do not think it’s available now, at least not in anything larger than 35mm and 120.

[Kino]

Well, Etone on Ebay sells quarter plate, 4x5 and 8x10.

Seeing as you are in Ireland, you would avoid the 145% "Liberty Tax" we have to pay.

As for quality, my experience has been mixed. Random coating defects appear often enough to make me leery of making it a go-to film, but when it is good, it's really pretty good.

If they could get their quality control issues fixed, they could be a serious contender in the B&W market.

My experience with their 127 roll film was disastrous. Backing paper reversed on the spool and poorly taped film to the paper caused camera jams.

Foma/Arista EDU is a better bet for consistency.

[kilimanjaro1996]

I only had experience with their 3x4 sheet film, and I had severe mottling issues on the emulsion. I think fresh Foma 100 in 4x5 and 8x10 are excellent film at bargain price.

[Vaughan]

Well, Etone on Ebay sells quarter plate, 4x5 and 8x10...

Indeed it's still sold on eBay, I was buying from Aliexpress, it's disappeared from there.

I have used it in 4x5, 5x7, 6½x8½ and 8x10, developing mostly in Kodak HC-110. Its grain and tonality is similar to Fomapan 100, both of which are similar in grain to 400 ISO film from other manufacturers. Occasional surface defects on par with Fomapan 100. Reciprocity failure is about the same too. Of the 8x10 I've had there are three or four sheets in every box that are unevenly cut and don't fit into holders: some are too small and fall out, others are too big and buckle preventing the dark slide from being inserted. All my boxes are the same batch, maybe it's not a problem with later boxes.

Of the two I prefer Fomapan 100, although the Shanghai has the advantage of not making my stop and fix green.

Ilford does an annual special order for whatever size you want as long as you can meet the minimum quantity.

[dimento]

Thanks for all the replies. I guess I'll stick with Foma for now.

Thanks everyone, cheers, Damian

[Michael Wellman]

I have used Shanghai film in 4x5, 14x17 and 8x20. Bottom line: I would never use this film again even if it was given to me.

On the positive side, this is a wonderful film with wonderful tones and good shadow detail.

The downside to this film is the company has VERY poor quality control. I have never experienced anything this bad in 50 years of photography. I have had a couple of 8x20 boxes where the film was cut too wide so you couldn't load it in the holder. I have on both 8x20 and 14x17 the notch code slowly fade away till there were a few sheets where there was no notch code. I had two boxes of 14x17 that had these very faint lines running up and down the film that weren't obvious (you had to look hard in the highlight areas of the negative) till you printed it. I think I had a total of 6 boxes of film I got from them and maybe 2 boxes didn't have any flaws.

[Jim Fitzgerald]

I have used Shanghai film in 4x5, 14x17 and 8x20. Bottom line: I would never use this film again even if it was given to me.

On the positive side, this is a wonderful film with wonderful tones and good shadow detail.

The downside to this film is the company has VERY poor quality control. I have never experienced anything this bad in 50 years of photography. I have had a couple of 8x20 boxes where the film was cut too wide so you couldn't load it in the holder. I have on both 8x20 and 14x17 the notch code slowly fade away till there were a few sheets where there was no notch code. I had two boxes of 14x17 that had these very faint lines running up and down the film that weren't obvious (you had to look hard in the highlight areas of the negative) till you printed it. I think I had a total of 6 boxes of film I got from them and maybe 2 boxes didn't have any flaws.

Michael, I'm sorry to hear this as I was the one who co-ordinated our group buy. So far I have not had any problems. I've only shot the 14x17 and I've gone through two boxes for my project on Bodie in 14x17. My 8x20 is still in the freezer and at least I know what I could be in for.

I wish they could get the quality control in check as the film has been great for me (14x17) developed in Pryocat HD 2:2:100 for 14 minutes in trays. It extended nicely too. Like I say hopefully the rest is okay.

[Durst L184]

Late reply coming in. I have had excellent luck in 5x7, 8x10, and 20x24. It's quite similar to Kodak Plus X in my view.
It is a high quality film. And you cannot beat the price. It's a marvelous alternative to Ilford in 20 x 24.

[shelby_wright]

I've found it to be good in 4x5. I haven't tried the 8x10 yet (have a box I bought last year), need to get a lens with that kind of coverage in shutter first lol