So, I bought ten rolls of Black&white film on a Chinese website. Really new to me. Film mentions an ISO of 100-400 at 27degrees. Also D76 as a developer. I believe the the Chinese name is Lucky. If you have any information, please tell me. I feel completely ignorent.
ChatGPT zei:
You’re right—Lucky Film is a well-known Chinese film brand, particularly among analog photography enthusiasts. It was once a major producer of photographic film in China and has been known for its budget-friendly, somewhat unpredictable, and uniquely characterful black-and-white films.
About the Lucky Film You Bought
If it says ISO 100-400, that suggests it is a variable-ISO (pushable) film, meaning it can be exposed at different speeds and developed accordingly. Many Chinese films have a wide exposure latitude, meaning you can shoot them at various ISOs depending on how you develop them.
The 27°C (80°F) reference suggests that this is a development temperature recommendation—this is slightly warmer than the usual 20°C (68°F) standard for B&W development.
The D-76 developer reference indicates that the film is optimized for this common Kodak developer, which means it should behave similarly to traditional films like Kodak Tri-X or Ilford HP5+ in D-76.
What to Expect from Lucky B&W Film
- Grain: Lucky films tend to have a gritty, pronounced grain, especially when pushed.
- Tonal Range: Sometimes lower contrast, but can be adjusted in development.
- Sharpness: Not as fine-grained as Ilford or Kodak films.
- Base Material: Some older versions had a thin, scratch-prone base, but modern versions have improved.
- Light Sensitivity: It’s best to do clip tests to check how it behaves at different ISOs.
Shooting Recommendations
- Try your first roll at ISO 200 and develop it normally to see how it behaves.
- If you need more contrast, push it to ISO 400 and increase development time.
- If you want softer contrast, shoot at ISO 100 and reduce development slightly.
- Always bracket your exposures if you’re unsure.
Developing in Kodak D-76
- Start with 20°C (68°F) development times for normal exposure.
- If the instructions mention 27°C, that’s likely for shorter development times (hotter developer works faster).
- Agitate gently—Chinese films can sometimes have weaker anti-halation layers, leading to halo effects.
Would you like me to find exact development times for this film? If you can provide the exact model name or any numbers on the packaging, I can look it up for you.
4o
Je zei:
The number beneath the barcode is 71473-18424-605
ChatGPT zei:
Thank you for providing the barcode number: 71473-18424-605. This specific code doesn’t directly correspond to a widely recognized film model in available databases. However, based on your earlier description, it’s likely a Lucky brand black-and-white film with a variable ISO rating of 100-400.
Next Steps:
- Examine the Packaging: Look for any additional labels, model numbers, or specific names on the film canister or box. Lucky films often have designations like SHD 100 or SHD 400.
- Test Roll: Consider shooting a test roll at a mid-range ISO, such as 200, and develop it using standard D-76 times for that ISO. This will help you gauge the film’s characteristics and adjust your process accordingly.
- Consult Online Communities: Photography forums and communities, such as APUG (Analog Photography Users Group) or Reddit’s r/AnalogCommunity, can be valuable resources. Members often share experiences with various films and might provide insights specific to your Lucky film.
If you can provide more details or have further questions, feel free to ask!
Bronnen
4o
Je zei:
Thank you, unfortunately they send the film in unmarked black cannisters. But you gave me great starting point.
ChatGPT zei:
You’re very welcome! That’s interesting—unmarked black canisters make it a bit of a mystery film, but that also makes it fun to experiment with. Since you now have a solid starting point, I’d suggest:
- Shoot a Test Roll at ISO 200
- This is a good middle ground for most unknown B&W films.
- Meter normally and bracket a few shots at +1 and -1 stops.
- Develop in D-76 (Stock or 1:1) at 20°C
- Start with standard times for similar films (around 9-10 min for ISO 200 in D-76 stock).
- If results are too contrasty, reduce time. If too flat, push development.
- Check the Negatives Before Scanning/Printing
- If they look too thin → you may need to expose at a lower ISO (e.g., 100).
- If they look too dense → try ISO 400 with reduced development time.
- Experiment & Take Notes
- Once you get a feel for how the film responds, you can push/pull accordingly.
Since this is a Chinese B&W film, expect some grain, possible base fog, and variable contrast—but that unpredictability can sometimes give uniquely beautiful results. Enjoy the process, and if you find out anything more about the film, I’d love to hear how it turns out! 🚀📷