Group: Moderator
Post: 2,033 (561 liked)
Join date: April 2014
Status: Long, long time Contax and Yashica user; glad to be here and hope to contribute.
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on Oct 9, 2022 17:35:26 GMT
Posted: Oct 9, 2022 17:35:26 GMT
I'm a bit behind the curve on this one but only today I discovered that we can get 220 film once again here in the UK! I never thought to see the day.
It's from a name that once had a bad reputation - Shanghai - but the new company is privately owned (it was State-owned before) and reviews have shown the new b/w GP3 film to be of excellent quality. So, all Contax and Yashica fans who have cameras which can use 220 film can now shoot can now double the number of exposures compared with 120.
I'm grateful I never chucked away all those MF 220 backs and inserts; now all we need is the instant film to fit those old Polaroid backs and we're fully back in business....
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Group: Administrator
Post: 1,369 (301 liked)
Join date: February 2017
Status: Failed treatment for L.B.A. and G.A.S,
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on Oct 9, 2022 20:01:42 GMT
Last Edit: Oct 9, 2022 20:04:32 GMT by lumiworx
This is great news, and I also just read that Cinestill will be selling their color 400D film in 220 too, so this might be the start of a larger resurgence back to non-standard film stocks. I just checked the fridge, and I still have 8 rolls of 120 GP3 ISO 100 (expired) from the state-run period, and although I've heard some of the complaints over the years since I bought my first batch in 2010-sh, I really haven't had any major issues. Those who've had problems seem to be hit and miss, and tend to be mentioned more by users of the 35mm cartridges than those using medium format.
Of the 2 sets of 5 packs I now have - different batches, with 2 different expiration dates - 2 rolls from the first batch have come out laying very flat, were pretty even as far as the emulsion layer goes, and at the expected contrast, which can be a bit strong or a bit flat depending on the scene. That's about the only drawback I've encountered, where it can be difficult to get what most would call good contrast on overcast days or very diffuse lighting conditions. That's not to say it's been bad - only that it's somewhat known for having a dip in the middle.
Since what I have is from the pre-privatization of the company, I'd hesitate to say that it should be the same under new management, but I'll probably end up with some of the new 220 at some point.
Here's a video from someone in the UK who's used the new 220 in his Mamiya 7, and it's showing the live scene in video and the resulting 'prints' from the negatives as well...
Seems to be pretty consistent in contrast just as it used to be, so it's possible they haven't changed to formula too much.
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Group: Administrator
Post: 1,369 (301 liked)
Join date: February 2017
Status: Failed treatment for L.B.A. and G.A.S,
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on Oct 9, 2022 21:37:09 GMT
Last Edit: Oct 9, 2022 21:43:49 GMT by lumiworx
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Group: Administrator
Post: 1,010 (77 liked)
Join date: January 2014
Status:
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on Oct 21, 2022 16:39:19 GMT
Posted: Oct 21, 2022 16:39:19 GMT
Don't hold your breath waiting for the Cinestill 400D 220. They didn't hit their target on the Kickstarter campaign, and while they still say there is a possibility that the 220 can happen, I'm figuring I'll be getting four rolls of 120 instead of two rolls of 220 come December.
PF
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Group: Administrator
Post: 1,369 (301 liked)
Join date: February 2017
Status: Failed treatment for L.B.A. and G.A.S,
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on Oct 22, 2022 4:19:18 GMT
Posted: Oct 22, 2022 4:19:18 GMT
Don't hold your breath waiting for the Cinestill 400D 220. They didn't hit their target on the Kickstarter campaign, and while they still say there is a possibility that the 220 can happen, I'm figuring I'll be getting four rolls of 120 instead of two rolls of 220 come December. PF Looks like they missed the goal, but it did make it to 93% according to their funding page. That's a respectable number, and might sway them to add it before too long.
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