China Lucky film and ERA film

Some people like Lucky (I liked the 100 Color for a time). I tried it (the B&W 100 and 400 versions) a few times when I lived in Beijing and was not overly impressed. Found it a bit grainy for the speed and some film emulsion defects were evident in open skies and such. Since, Kodak has done some joint venture arrangements with Lucky, with some claiming the films have gotten better. I personally think that any JV had to do with distribution and color films and I highly doubt Kodak was involved or cared to be involved with anything B&W that China Lucky was/is doing. Unless you get it really, really cheap and use it for projects you do not care so much about then I'd go with Tri-X, Agfa, Ilford or Fuji. None of those are really expensive.

I've used the Lucky SHD 400 recently, and it reminds me very much of Tri-X from a couple generations back -- that is, before the last couple rounds of making the grain finer. I've used it only in 120; the film base is pretty thin and curly but not too bad to get into a scanner so shouldn't be too hard to get into an enlarger's carrier. I've been quite happy with the sharpness, latitude and tonality, though I haven't shot enough rolls to really have it completely nailed. A couple of my gallery images are on SHD 400. For the price, it's pretty darned decent film.

I've used Lucky SHD 100 b+w film. Its performance reflects its price. It is unsophisticated and its highlight rendering is not good (halation is high). I bought 18 rolls to tet and am using up the last of them on unimportant shots of local events.

RAy

I have used all the Lucky and ERA films- the 35 & 120 B&W, both old and SHD 100 & 400. They are all very serviceable and functional films, as noted above, several generations behind the latest from the Big Boys.

I have used ERA 100 sheet film-41/4 x 61/2 ( half Plate)in 5 x 7 holders and it is a very good "Old Style" film, again low priced. I bought severel thousand sheets in Shanghai and am keping them refrigereated for use in my 5 x 7 when I retire soon.

If one needs the best "Quality", however one defines it, these films may not be for you, but as general use films, they are very good. I have noticed no quality problems.

They also make a C-41 process b&W film which is OK but not spectacular- rather a bit dull in brilliance and not quite the range of say, XP2.

Cheers

I've horsed around with the Lucky B&W stuff. OK, it is similar to Tri-X in the sense it has some toe to it but in my opinion that's where the similarities end. It's grainier, slightly less sharp and I don't find its highlight rendering nearly as smooth.

I think Agfa APX 400 is a better budget film by leaps and bounds.