Lucky SHD 400 - 120 Medium Format Black & White Film

Chinese black and white film for medium format. Because not everything needs to be Ilford or Kodak. Lucky SHD 400 (also known as LuckyPan SHD 400) is a reworked black and white film from Lucky Film Corporation, now available in 120 medium format for photographers who want something different in their developing tank. Rated at ISO 400 and compatible with standard black and white processing chemicals, this film comes from a manufacturer that's been producing photographic materials since 1958 and survived partnership with Kodak Eastman, the digital revolution, and the general collapse of consumer film—which tells you something about their commitment. If you're tired of shooting the same emulsions as everyone else, this is your chance to try something genuinely different.

What Makes Lucky SHD 400 Worth Loading

ISO 400 - Versatile medium-speed rating for a range of shooting conditions. Fast enough for handheld work, indoor scenes, and available light. Slow enough to maintain good tonal range and detail.

Medium Format - 120 film for your Hasselblad, Mamiya, Rolleiflex, or whatever medium format camera is making your bank account cry. Larger negatives mean more detail and smoother tonal gradations.

Standard B&W Processing - Compatible with conventional black and white chemistry. No special developers required, no mysterious instructions—just standard processing that any lab including us (or your home setup) can handle.

Reworked Formula - This is Lucky's updated black and white emulsion, benefiting from their decades of manufacturing experience and industrial film production expertise.

Lucky Film Heritage - Made by the Lucky Film Corporation, founded in 1958 as part of China's domestic manufacturing push. They've produced industrial films, x-ray films, and consumer emulsions through multiple industry upheavals. That's persistence.

Neutral Palette - Lucky films are known for providing neutral tonal reproduction rather than pushing toward warm or cool. Honest black and white rendering without inherent bias.

Alternative Choice - Not Ilford, not Kodak, not Foma. A genuinely different option from a manufacturer outside the usual European/American film ecosystem. Variety matters.

Best For

Medium format black and white photography, general-purpose shooting, available light work, photographers who want neutral tonal reproduction, and anyone tired of the "which Ilford should I shoot?" debate.

Perfect for: supporting film diversity, experimenting with lesser-known emulsions, having interesting conversations about what film you're using, and proving that good black and white film doesn't have to come from the usual suspects.

Perfect for medium format shooters who value variety and want to support manufacturers keeping film production alive. Lucky SHD 400 might not be famous, but it's available, affordable, and ready to prove that Asian film manufacturers deserve shelf space alongside the European classics.