Could you tell me about different Chinese brands of negative and positive 135 film for analog cameras?
Absolutely! China has a growing film photography scene, and there are several Chinese brands producing both negative and positive (slide) 135 film for analog cameras. Here’s a rundown of some notable brands and their films:
1. Lucky Film (乐凯)
- Overview: Lucky is one of the most well-known Chinese film brands. They’ve been around for decades and are often compared to Kodak or Ilford in terms of quality.
- Films:
- Lucky SHD 100/400: A versatile black-and-white film with an ISO range of 100-400. It’s known for its affordability and decent grain structure.
- Lucky Color 100/200: A color negative film that’s budget-friendly and produces warm tones. It’s not as refined as Kodak or Fujifilm, but it’s great for experimentation.
- Lucky Super 200: Another color negative film with slightly higher contrast and saturation.
- Availability: Lucky films are widely available in China and can sometimes be found internationally.
2. Shanghai Film (上海牌)
- Overview: Shanghai Film is another historic Chinese brand that has recently made a comeback. They’re known for their unique aesthetic and vintage feel.
- Films:
- Shanghai GP3 100: A black-and-white film that’s been around since the 1960s. It’s known for its fine grain and classic look. Recently, it’s been reintroduced in 135 format (previously only available in 120).
- Shanghai Color 100: A color negative film with a retro vibe. It’s not as sharp or vibrant as modern films, but it has a nostalgic charm.
- Availability: Shanghai films are becoming more popular internationally, but they can still be harder to find outside of China.
3. ERA Film (ERA 100)
- Overview: ERA is a newer Chinese brand that has gained attention for its high-quality black-and-white film.
- Films:
- ERA 100: A fine-grained black-and-white film with excellent sharpness and contrast. It’s often compared to Ilford FP4 Plus or Kodak T-Max 100.
- Availability: ERA 100 is relatively easy to find online and is popular among film enthusiasts worldwide.
4. Foma Bohemia (Re-packaged in China)
- Overview: While Foma is a Czech brand, some of their films are repackaged and sold under Chinese brands. These films are often marketed as budget-friendly options.
- Films:
- Fomapan 100/200/400: These are black-and-white films with a classic look. They’re sometimes sold under Chinese brand names or as generic films.
- Availability: Widely available in China and internationally.
5. Shuangxi Film (双喜牌)
- Overview: Shuangxi is a lesser-known Chinese brand that produces budget-friendly films.
- Films:
- Shuangxi 100/200: A basic color negative film with a vintage feel. It’s not as refined as major brands but is great for experimentation.
- Availability: Mostly found in China.
6. Lomo China (Lomography)
- Overview: Lomography has a presence in China and produces creative films that are popular among experimental photographers.
- Films:
- Lomo Color Negative 100/400: Vibrant and saturated color films with a playful, lo-fi aesthetic.
- Lomo Redscale XR 50-200: A unique film that’s loaded backward to create warm, red-toned images.
- Availability: Widely available internationally.
7. Positive (Slide) Films
- Overview: Slide films are less common in China, but there are a few options:
- Lucky Slide Film: Lucky has produced slide films in the past, but they’re rare and hard to find.
- Repackaged Slide Films: Some Chinese sellers repackage slide films from other brands (e.g., Agfa or Kodak) and sell them under local names.
Tips for Buying Chinese Film
- Check Expiration Dates: Some Chinese films may have been stored for a while, so always check the expiration date.
- Experiment: Chinese films often have a unique look, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different developers and shooting conditions.
- Buy from Reputable Sellers: If you’re purchasing online, make sure to buy from trusted sellers to avoid expired or poorly stored film.
Chinese films are a great way to explore analog photography on a budget, and they often have a distinct character that sets them apart from more mainstream brands. Happy shooting! 📸