Lucky SHD400 .
Lucky started making film in China in the late 1950s, beginning with black and white movie film. SHD400 dates from the early 2000s. It disappeared around 2012 and, like a lot of good things in film photography right now, it's back. You might also see it sold as Luckypan SHD400.
This is not a quiet film. The blacks go deep, the highlights stay bright and crisp, and there isn't a lot in between. If you've ever pushed HP5 a stop just to get more grit and punch, SHD400 gives you that straight out of the box. Take it for a walk through the city on a grey day, point it at buildings with hard light and deep shadow, or at anything you want to feel a bit dramatic.
It has grain, and in 35mm you'll see it, but it's not overpowering. It won't flatter every portrait, but on the right face it has real character. If you want softer, more subtle tones, that's fine. HP5 Plus or T-Max 400 will do that better. SHD400 is for when you want a picture with some edge.
It likes light, so be generous with it. Rate it at 200 or give it a bit more exposure than you normally would, and you'll get more back in the shadows.
It's also cheaper than Tri-X or BwXX, which makes it an easy roll to try. Shoot one and see if the drama suits you. There's a good chance it will.
- + Street photography and documentary
- + Portraiture with character — visible grain, high contrast
- + Architecture when you want to convey character
- − Finer grain at ISO 400 — choose Tri-X
- − Low contrast, smooth tonal range — choose T-Max 400
- − You want a faster shutter speed — choose Delta 3200 or T-Max 3200
more from their film.
In 35mm the grain is noticeable and part of the look. Most of its latitude is on the overexposure side, and the weak point is the shadows: at box speed the blacks block up and shadow detail is thin. Give it a stop or two more light and the shadows open up, so it often works better rated at 200. It handles a stop or two over, though negatives are getting dense by the second; underexposure costs it quickly, and two stops under is barely usable.
At box speed the contrast is strong and the look dramatic, with shadows falling to dense black and crisp highlights. For that look, shoot at 400 and expose for the highlights; it also does well in flat, overcast light. To tame it, rate it at 200 and shorten development. It can be pushed to 800 or 1600 with longer development.
Rolls are DX coded, so most cameras set 400 automatically. To shoot at 200, set the ISO by hand, and if you're pulling, ask your lab for shorter development.