Shanghai GP3 100

A cheap Chinese black and white film. The price is the appeal and the gamble. Quality control is famously inconsistent, though a good roll is a bargain.

How it behaves

A traditional panchromatic black and white film. Low grain, strong contrast, decent sharpness, and a classic old-fashioned look. Shoot at 100 and check your first roll for scratches or coating flaws before committing. The emulsion is prone to curling and scratching in some batches, and it can be handled under a deep red safelight. The 35mm version is reported to be coated in Europe, based on the ORWO UN54 emulsion, and packed in China. It is often compared to Kodak Plus-X in look and feel.

Questions people ask

Is Shanghai GP3 100 good for beginners?

It can be. It is a budget film and the documented notes call it beginner-friendly, but check the first roll for scratches or coating flaws before trusting it with important frames.

What does Shanghai GP3 100 look like?

Strong contrast, low grain for the price, and an old-fashioned classic look. The batch notes compare it to Kodak Plus-X.

Is Shanghai GP3 100 still made?

Yes. The sources list it as in production, in 35mm here and in other formats elsewhere.