Exposing Eastman (Double-X) 5222 in the Leica

I did a whole lot of testing over the last couple of days. I tested XTOL 1+0, 1+1 and 1+2. My times were 6.5 minutes for 1+0, 8:15 for 1+1 and 10:20s 1+2 which is roughly 25% more each time. This was tested with 30s initial agitation and then 5s each 30s. I then tested rotary processing with XTOL 1+2. My initial test was 8:30 which was about one stop less density. 10:20 was a little overdeveloped, so I would guess about 9:30 would be just about right.

Looking at the film speed, I think 250 ISO under tungsten light is a little too high since the zone 1 frame is fairly indistinguishable from the paper black. I think its more like ISO 200.
 
XX-5222 ISO400 Diafine3:3 R3A Rokkor40/2

XX-5222 ISO400 Diafine3:3 R3A Rokkor40/2

I love this film !

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Hmmm, looking up the catalogue numbers given on the link above, the recommended replacement for the Plus-X is the Double-X, so it looks as though they are 'consolidating' a bit.
 
Hi All,
After a fairly long winter-hiatus I strayed from 5222, investigating Fuji Presto 1600 and Tri-X. I am now going back to 5222, ready to go, and enjoying the warmer weather here. M2 and M5 are loaded with XX, and it's going to stay that way, for most of the season. Yesterday I used the Canon 19mm and the 280mm Telyt on M2, and 135mm Elmarit and Canon 85mm F1.5 on M5. Next I want to investigate the Leitz Beutler developer.

Beutler High Acutance Film Developer is a compensating developer that gives excellent sharpness, medium grain, and low contrast. With 200 ASA and slower film a high degree of enlargement is possible. Compensation and lower contrast is achieved because more bromide is released in the highlights than in the shadows. The excess bromide in the highlights slows their development relative to the shadow areas where development continues and brings out fine details. The net effect is an increase in shadow detail, and a decrease in the overall contrast of the negative. A Mackie Line is a fine black line around the highlights. These fine lines result from bromide spreading around the highlight. At the edge of the highlight, the concentration of bromide on the shadow side of the edge causes abnormal restrainment. Consequently, the edge of the highlight becomes very well refined. This metol based developer is very economical.

Beutler High Acutance Film Developer (Neofin Blue Formula)

Solution A
375ml Water (120 degrees F)
5 g Metol
25g Sodium Sulphite
Water to make 500ml

Solution B
375 ml Water (120 degrees F)
25g Sodium Carbonate
Water to make 500ml

Mix 1:1:8, 11 minutes at 20C for XX. BTW I remember buying premixed Neofin Blue concentrate, it came in tiny clear dark blue vials, like little blue test tubes. I think it was Tetenal?
 
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Tetenal Neofin Blau is the name of that compensation developer. I wanted to order on-line from a German company but they had no option to deliver to Japan, unfortunately. It costs between 10 and 17 Euro, BTW.
 
Excellent that Neofin Blau is still available. Will mix some (have the raw chemicals) later today. Want to run at least four XX rolls at a time.

Gabor,
You should consider mixing it yourself. I just finished mine (500ml of each) and it was extremely easy to do, and not expensive.
 
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I was at Panavision a couple of weeks ago and we where scratch testing magazines with a few 400 foot rolls of about to expire 5222, seemed like such a waste (but a necessary job) Unfortunately they had non going spare.
 
Double X, D76 and the Snapshot Skopar

Double X, D76 and the Snapshot Skopar

I just souped 4 rolls in stock D76, 20C @ 7 minutes. These were all shot at ISO 200. I posted some pics on the flickr group. One of the pics is an indoor shot of the Registry Room at Ellis Island and was pretty impressed using the Snapshot Skopar indoors.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31378143@N02/4519867620/in/pool-656147@N20

D76 and the Snapshot Skopar is a good combination to keep in the ole notebook!

Gary
 
I am itching to try some DoubleX but I don't have a dark room and rolling 100' or 400' of the stuff in a changing back isn't so appealing. What is the closest consumer still film to DoubleX? Would it be Plus-X?
 
Rayt said:
I am itching to try some DoubleX but I don't have a dark room and rolling 100' or 400' of the stuff in a changing back isn't so appealing. What is the closest consumer still film to DoubleX? Would it be Plus-X?
Click to expand...

Closest thing in my estimation to XX is Tri-X. I tend to use them both at EI 250, but they provide different "looks". The XX is of course, an older formulation, and I prefer it. Nothing else like it, really.
 
I love Eastman 5222, but it's also good to have alternatives.
Mine are presently real Tri-X and Fuji Neopan 1600.

I'm very close to making my first XX run with the Leica/Beutler developer.
Anticipating getting "gritty grain" I actually like that look!
Will report my results, hope to finish the fourth roll today!
 
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Dan - well with the demise of 5321 (Plus-X neg) I thought I would have a crack at Orwo's offerings just incase 5222 slips off the radar next!!

I have shot a roll at 400 asa and have a roll running at 800 asa. Hope to finish that later today and then develop in Diafine 3 + 3.

I do like 5222 at 800 asa in Diafine and am really hoping the N74 Plus may run close.

I then plan to run the UN54 and see how that looks, probably at 100 and then 160 asa.
 
My wife and I went on a date today to the local indoor/outdoor historic botanical gardens. I took M2 with the 19mm F3.5 Canon, and the 85mm F1.5 Canon on M5. Exposed over four rolls of XX and had a very pleasant time. She took her two digital Rebels and four lenses.

So now I will try Beutler/Leica developer, using the TomA development times. Mixing the developer was quite easy to do and not expensive at all. Compensation is the goal.
Will report on the results.
 
Here's one I can't wait to try.............

--Willi Beutler Pyro High Acutance Film Developer--

Part A
Metol 50g
Sodium Bisulphite 8g
Pyrogallol 50 g
Ascorbic Acid 10g
Potassium Iodide 15g
Dissolved in 850ml water - filled up to 1L

Part B
Sodium Carbonate (sicc) 200g
EDTA (tetrasodium) 10g
Dissolved in 850ml water - filled up to 1L

Stabilizer
Ammoniumthiocyanate (ATL) 50% solution in water

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Working Solution #1 -- 10ml A + 10ml B + 960ml water + 2 ml ATC
Working Solution #2 -- 10ml A + 20ml B + 960ml water + 2 ml ATC

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Dev times 22C 200 ASA film
#1 Solution 10 minutes
#2 Solution 8 minutes
 
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I've been busy, and playing with my Hasselblads and new Fisheye lens. I still need to finish half a roll of XX in M2, then I will run eight rolls in my Honeywell Nikor tank. I'll try the Beutler, I like gritty grain, and I do remember that with Neofin Blau and Tri-X, which should look similar. And the Beutler gives a longer developing time, which works better in the bigger developing tanks with a lot of reels in them. I am finishing testing a 20mm F4.5 Takumar hood on my 19mm F3.5 Canon. I've wanted a hood for it for a while, hopefully it dosen't vignette the corners of the frame.

Also I need to fire up my Minolta Scan Dual II and get some more XX stuff up. Computer issues did put that on hold for a while, but now I'm back up and running. I use Vuescan and so far I like it. And I want an Epson V700 for scanning my backlog of Hasselblad negatives.
Got quite a backlog of XX stuff to scan, too.
 
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Still learning to scan.

Still learning to scan.

XX in ADOX Borax.
Buckeye Tailgate Gig.
 

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For those of us who are playing with the ADOX formula: I did a test run with ADOX and XX. I was trying to figure out the life span of the ADOX with replenisher. Mixed up 2000 ml of stock and 1000 ml of replenisher (using 20 ml/roll). Over 60 days I shot and developed 50 rolls in it. Basically until the replenisher was used up.
Typical for a MQ developer. Activity goes up when you let is sit around. I started with a 7 min time and by the time I got to 40 rolls it only needed 6 min!!! Some increase in grain too - but not bad.
Film was rated @ around 250-320 (Sunny f16 rule - even though it was grey and drab for June - more like 1/250 and f4).
I haven't decided which developer to use or July - possibly Fx 37 and/or Beutler. It will be mostly Tri X as I loaded up 50 Nikon cassettes with it and I have declared July Nikon Rangefinder Month. There will still be occasional foray's into XX territory as there are 65 IXMOO cassettes loaded with.
I have tried FX 37 with XX long time ago - gives a true 400, but somewhat accentuated grain - but sharp, very sharp.
Some of the Adox (late run - after 35-40 rolls) on Flickr now.
 
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