KoNickon
Nick Merritt
Has anyone tried this? I see some decent prices for this online and I have three 127 TLRs I am eager to try out. Thanks.
Coldkennels
Barnack-toting Brit.
I assume it's the exact same stock as the 220 material, which is not the exact same stock as the original Shanghai GP3 circa the late 2000s, and probably not the same as the 35mm stock (I'll get to that in a sec).
I shot some of the 220 Shanghai GP3 earlier in the year. I still haven't really gotten around to properly digitising it or producing any sort of final image from it (I'm not exactly happy with my camera scanning workflow for medium format yet), but with my small sample set of one double-length roll, it is seemingly a lot less problematic than the old stock. I loved the tones and rendering of that, but I was always finding missing chips of emulsion or getting damage from the construction paper they used as backing paper. My first pass at "scanning" this new version suggests promise, but I won't be confident saying whether I like it or not until I try printing from it in the darkroom.
(this is totally unedited, just inverted from the camera RAW file)
However, the 35mm stock is, apparently, just re-rolled ORWO UN54. Compare and contrast the descriptions of the two from their UK dealer:
The 35mm version, Shanghai GP3 100asa 35mm Black & White Film 36 Exposures ~ Great Quality, Wonderful Value:
The 127 version, Shanghai GP3 100asa 127 B&W Roll Film ~ Commissioned by Nik & Trick !:
I didn't dislike the ORWO stock in 35mm, but I do find it a bit odd that there's apparently two different emulsions under the same name, and it does mean you'll have to be careful with the reviews you read and the development times you use, as the times for 35mm are wildly different to the roll film ones: Massive Dev Chart Film Development, Film Developing Database
I shot some of the 220 Shanghai GP3 earlier in the year. I still haven't really gotten around to properly digitising it or producing any sort of final image from it (I'm not exactly happy with my camera scanning workflow for medium format yet), but with my small sample set of one double-length roll, it is seemingly a lot less problematic than the old stock. I loved the tones and rendering of that, but I was always finding missing chips of emulsion or getting damage from the construction paper they used as backing paper. My first pass at "scanning" this new version suggests promise, but I won't be confident saying whether I like it or not until I try printing from it in the darkroom.
(this is totally unedited, just inverted from the camera RAW file)
However, the 35mm stock is, apparently, just re-rolled ORWO UN54. Compare and contrast the descriptions of the two from their UK dealer:
The 35mm version, Shanghai GP3 100asa 35mm Black & White Film 36 Exposures ~ Great Quality, Wonderful Value:
The 127 version, Shanghai GP3 100asa 127 B&W Roll Film ~ Commissioned by Nik & Trick !:
I didn't dislike the ORWO stock in 35mm, but I do find it a bit odd that there's apparently two different emulsions under the same name, and it does mean you'll have to be careful with the reviews you read and the development times you use, as the times for 35mm are wildly different to the roll film ones: Massive Dev Chart Film Development, Film Developing Database
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
Thanks! It seems like this is about the only game in town, as it were, for a somewhat reasonable price. (I know I should have bought a lot of the Efke when it was still available, but so it goes.)
Coldkennels
Barnack-toting Brit.
If you're in the UK, there are a few more options on Nik & Trick's website: Rare Film Formats 127, 620 16mm Etc Archives
I think supply is limited, but they will cut-and-spool 120 down to 127 for you: 127 Hand Spooled Black & White Films ~ Kodak, Ilford, Rollei etc ~ Film Inc Process & Scan
I think supply is limited, but they will cut-and-spool 120 down to 127 for you: 127 Hand Spooled Black & White Films ~ Kodak, Ilford, Rollei etc ~ Film Inc Process & Scan
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
Thanks, I'm in the US. That is an interesting website, I must say.
Muggins
Junk magnet
Ooh, thank you for starting this thread, I have 3 rolls bought recently so I can try some fun 127 cameras out, and run a roll through the Certo Dolly as well. I'd *never* have guessed 35mm and 127 would be different stocks!
aw614
Established
I have a roll in my Yashica 44 LM, but need to finish it up.
css9450
Veteran
It's been a couple years, but I may have possibly shot more 127 GP3 than anyone else. There's a catch though: All mine was trimmed down from 120 format and re-rolled by myself onto 127 spools. Expiration dates were mostly 2021-2022 but I'd have to check the rolls that are still in the fridge to be sure. I develop it in Rodinal 1:50.
This is with my Komaflex-S:
Here's one from my Baby Rolleiflex:
This one is from my Ricoh Ricohmatic 44:
This is with my Komaflex-S:
Here's one from my Baby Rolleiflex:
This one is from my Ricoh Ricohmatic 44:
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
Thanks -- impressive! I've ordered 5 rolls from a place on Amazon -- eTone? Just under $60, not including shipping.
Coldkennels
Barnack-toting Brit.
...but which version of GP3 is this? Is this the old stock with the black construction paper backing, or the newer emulsion with a conventional backing?It's been a couple years, but I may have possibly shot more 127 GP3 than anyone else. There's a catch though: All mine was trimmed down from 120 format and re-rolled by myself onto 127 spools. Expiration dates were mostly 2021-2022 but I'd have to check the rolls that are still in the fridge to be sure. I develop it in Rodinal 1:50.
This is with my Komaflex-S:
Here's one from my Baby Rolleiflex:
This one is from my Ricoh Ricohmatic 44:
WoodallP
Pragmatist Barnack lover
Out of interest, what constitutes a decent price? The price seems a bit all over the place so I was just wondering. I realise it’s a niche product and probably hand rolled so it is to be solewhat expected.
Muggins
Junk magnet
In the UK you can order from Nik & Trik for £12.45 a roll. Bloody silly for 8 exposures, but that's film these days.
css9450
Veteran
It's from the black construction paper era.... Hence the disclaimer that mine is probably older stock than what they're selling now.
I haven't tried any of the new stock yet, in 120 or 127. Have they finally retired the construction paper backing?
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
Eight exposures? Isn't 12 the standard? Or do Nik & Trik do something in their respooling that costs frames?
As for what's a "decent price" -- I see 127 (and it's mostly respooled apparently) at well over $20 per roll at places like B&H -- that seems crazy but then, it's not like there's a lot available out there.
Muggins
Junk magnet
Depends on the camera - I have an 8-on 127 box camera and at least two 16-on 127 cameras. If you are shooting 4x4, then 12 to a roll.
css9450
Veteran
Eight exposures for a 4cm x 6cm camera.... Sixteen for a 4x3.
WoodallP
Pragmatist Barnack lover
That’s not too bad, on Aliexpress some are selling it for as much as 22 euros. Don’t see it at Mr Cad though, where I have bought most of my 127 film in recent years.
Coldkennels
Barnack-toting Brit.
Yeah, the new stock is (I believe) a totally different emulsion with a "proper" backing paper.
It's almost a shame. I really liked the OG emulsion, but dealing with the backing paper issues was a ballache. The price back then was great, too. Now it's more in line with most other 120 films.
I believe it's commercially manufactured from start to finish, not hand-rolled. I may be wrong, though.
Malcolm M
Well-known
Is the backing paper numbered for red-window wind-on? I have a mind to try a roll or two in the VPK at a forties weekend.
Muggins
Junk magnet
Yes, it is - but there are no warning marks, it is just the numbers, so wind with care and be prepared to stop! Can you tell I've just finished a roll?