If you're as interested in Lucky's history as we are, you'll definitely enjoy this article.
Here, we've compiled a detailed timeline of Lucky Film's journey—from its beginnings to its revival today.
If you’d like a quick overview of Lucky’s recent revival news, check out our other post here.
Early History (1958-1970)
1958: The Beginning of Lucky
- July 1st: The predecessor of Lucky Film, the Baoding Film Factory, was established in Baoding, Hebei Province. This was the first film production factory in New China, marking a significant step forward for China in the field of imaging and photosensitive materials.
1959: The Birth of the First Black-and-White Movie Film
- July 1st: Lucky successfully produced its first batch of black-and-white movie positive film, with an annual output of 427,000 meters. This was a milestone in China’s photosensitive materials industry, laying the foundation for future technological development.
1960s: Technological Expansion and Market Development
- During this period, Lucky focused on the research and production of black-and-white films, gradually expanding its product line to include:
- Movie Sound Recording Film: Providing crucial support for the film industry.
- Aerial Reconnaissance Film: Serving national defense needs.
- The products gradually met international quality standards, offering high-quality materials for China’s film industry and professional photography.
1970: Technological Accumulation and Export Attempts
- In the early 1970s, Lucky began exploring export markets. Black-and-white movie positive film and aerial reconnaissance film were among the first products to go global, laying the groundwork for the brand’s future internationalization.
Golden Era (1980-2000)
1980s: Emerging as an International Competitor
- In the 1980s, Lucky achieved several technological breakthroughs and began large-scale exports:
- 1980: Movie subtitle film entered the international market, becoming one of Lucky’s standout export products.
- 1985: Color film products began to be exported, marking significant progress in the high-end imaging sector.
- 1986: Changjiang Brand 120 and 135 black-and-white films were exported to multiple countries, earning recognition from international photographers.
1990s: Dominance in the Domestic Market
- In the Chinese market, Lucky became a household name, nearly monopolizing the film market.
- 1994: Lucky exported 32,000 rolls of color reversal film to the United States for the first time, marking a significant step in expanding into the North American market.
- Lucky’s products were widely popular for their cost-effectiveness and excellent exposure latitude.
Early 2000s: Technological Upgrades and Global Expansion
- Lucky not only dominated the domestic market but also actively participated in global competition:
- 2003: A strategic partnership with Kodak brought advanced emulsion production lines and coating equipment, elevating Lucky’s color film technology to international standards.
- During this period, Lucky not only met the needs of professional photographers but also became a popular choice for everyday photography among consumers.
Partnership with Kodak (2003-2007)
2003: The Start of a Strategic Partnership
- To strengthen its position in China, the world’s second-largest film market, and compete with Fuji, Kodak and Lucky reached a landmark agreement after years of negotiations.
- Under the agreement, Kodak provided an emulsion making line for color products for a 20 percent stake in Lucky Film Co Ltd, the listing arm of China Lucky Film Corp. Kodak also invested $54.5 million in technology upgrades, helping Lucky improve its triacetate film base and coating lines.
- This partnership brought advanced technologies to Lucky, including high-performance emulsion production lines and coating equipment, significantly improving the quality of its color films.
Achievements and Highlights
- 2004: Lucky completed the installation and debugging of new equipment, quickly applying the technological upgrades to its production lines.
- 2007: The first phase of the partnership’s technological achievements passed inspection, marking Lucky’s official capability to produce color films of international standards.
End of the Partnership
- However, due to the rapid rise of digital cameras, global film demand plummeted. Kodak decided to withdraw from the partnership by the end of 2007, bringing an end to this strategic alliance.
Digital Transformation and Decline (2008-2012)
The Rise of Digital Imaging and Market Shifts
- Entering the 21st century, the popularity of digital cameras and smartphones dealt a heavy blow to the traditional film industry. Global film demand dropped sharply, and the market underwent dramatic changes.
2012: Official Discontinuation of Color Film
- 2012: Lucky announced the discontinuation of color negative film production, marking the end of an era for China’s domestic film industry.
- Lucky then shifted its focus to high-performance membrane materials, digital imaging materials, and new energy materials, embarking on a new path of transformation.
The Road to Revival (2020-Present)
The Resurgence of Analog Photography
- In recent years, thanks to the passion and support of film enthusiasts worldwide, the analog photography market has gradually recovered. More and more photographers are rediscovering the charm of film, creating new opportunities for traditional film brands.
Resuming Color Film Production
- 2024: Lucky decided to restart its color negative film production line after more than a decade of discontinuation.
- In the process of resuming production, Lucky overcame numerous challenges, including redeveloping formulas, updating equipment, and rebuilding raw material supply chains.
- The new product is expected to be officially launched in the first half of 2025, aiming to provide photographers with high-quality color film featuring excellent exposure latitude, vibrant colors, and fine grain.
Future Prospects
- We will bring this legendary product to the North American and global markets as soon as it is released, meeting the demand for affordable, high-quality film among international photography enthusiasts.
Lucky’s Historical Product Line
Color Film Series
-
Lucky 100+ Color Film
Suitable for daylight, electronic flash, and blue flashbulb environments. -
Lucky 200+ Color Film
An ISO 200 color film ideal for low-light conditions, offering great grain and color balance. -
Lucky Super Color 200 (乐凯彩韵200)
A high-quality color film developed in collaboration with Kodak, meeting international standards.
Black-and-White Films and Other Products
- New Generation SHD100 Black-and-White Film
- Professional 120 Black-and-White Film
- Portrait Film, Resin-Coated Paper, Variable Contrast Paper
Thank You, Film Enthusiasts!
Lucky’s revival would not have been possible without the support of film enthusiasts worldwide. It is your passion that has breathed new life into film photography. Let’s look forward to the return of Lucky Color Negative Film and witness the bright future of film photography together!
Have you ever used Lucky Film in the past? Share your shooting stories in the comments!
If Lucky were to reintroduce a classic product, which one would you love to see? Your ideas might inspire Lucky’s next steps!
For more updates on Lucky’s new film, follow us and visit luckyfilm.net.