Exposing Eastman (Double-X) 5222 in the Leica

Two New Ones.

Two New Ones.

From my new Minolta scanner. Still trying to learn how to use it optimally. First the 50mm F1.2 Canon @ 1/15, in the MOO PIGFACE Recording Studio. And I'm really enjoying the 280mm Telyt on the Visoflex, although it takes a bit of getting used to. Love how it handles.
 

Attachments

  • Scan-100815-0010.jpg
    Scan-100815-0010.jpg
    22.1 KB · Views: 1
  • Scan-100815-0007.jpg
    Scan-100815-0007.jpg
    33.5 KB · Views: 1
Last edited:
Two more that I think are cool.

Two more that I think are cool.

4th of July Fireworks Gig downtown. Awful lighting, hot extreme conditions. Fun, though. 35mm F2 Canon.

Backstage MeetNGreet with SAVING JANE, the band opened for them last year. With the 35mm F2.8 Summaron @ 1/8.
 

Attachments

  • Scan-100815-0009.jpg
    Scan-100815-0009.jpg
    39.1 KB · Views: 1
  • Scan-100815-0015.jpg
    Scan-100815-0015.jpg
    30.1 KB · Views: 2
Last edited:
I have running a test with Stoeckler and XX. Using the standard Stoeckler formula for the A bath and playing with different B-baths/times.
Some stuff up on Flickr now. Works well in high contrast as Stoeckler tend to a bit "flat" - great mid-tones and scans well. Moderate grain.
Next batch will be done with Sodium Hydroxide as a B bath (10 grams/1000 ml). Prior I used Borax (again 10 grams/1000 ml) and Kodalk (10 grams/1000ml). The Kodalk gave it a bit of a punch - without frying any highlights.
So far I have done 40 rolls in the A bath (mixed 2000 ml of i) - I make the B-bath fresh for each run.
 
Does anyone have some XX to spare? I would like to try but am having sorry luck finding short ends. The guy with a 17,ooo' roll want to sell a few hundred feet?

Thanks~
Steve
 
Steve,

A couple of us are looking for a thrid / fourth to share 1000ft, but we are in Europe. I think we can get the 1000ft for about £100, so it would possibly expensive compared to the US price.
 
R6.2 5014 5222 iso200 11min Rodinal 1+50 11min

5081873059_9264b7dabc.jpg
 
I finally got back into the darkroom last night and rolled 50 roll's. I got spooked the last time in there... so I had the father-in-law as an assistant 🙂 3 hours I was OK but the father-in-law was not so happy at the end.
 
Last edited:
Just got my British Leica Society Magazine. Interesting developer in it. Dr Cyril T Blood, an illustrious member of the Society re-published the Phenidone/Ascorbic Acid/Kodalk developer that was first published in the British Journal of Photography in 1999.
Just mixed some up and did run a roll of XX through it - rated @ 400.

It is a simple, probably bullet proof 'soup".

A

Ascorbic Acid 10 g.
Phenidone 1 g
Water to 1000 ml


B

Sodium Metaborate (Kodalk) 87.5 g
Water to 1000 ml

I recommend that you dissolve the Pheindone in 20-30 ml rubbing alcohol as it is difficult to mix in water.

For use: Take 1 part A and 1 part B to 8 parts of water. Normal agitation ( cont. for the 1st minute - then 2-3 inversion's every 60 sec (Paterson 5 reel tanks).

Suggested time with XX (rated @ 400) is 12 min, but I think it can be extended to 13-14 minutes in flat light.
Grain is tight - though not fine by any means. The lack of Sodium Sulphite gives it a bit more of an edge - rather than the "mushy" look of many MQ developer.
Just uploaded 9 shots on our Flickr. Tagged a T636.
Tried it with some Tri X/Legacy Pro/Lucky too - a bit too thin for my taste - and one of my Nikon SP's decided to act up with the film rewind - so two rolls fogged slightly.
 
Thanks TomA.

Thanks TomA.

TomA,
Those T636 XX look really good! And I like the notion of "bullet proof".
I just ordered from Photographers Formulary, Ascorbic Acid and Phenidone. I have rubbing alcohol around from the local drug store, and have plenty of Sodium Metaborate already. I really like the look of the grain structure from this combo. I have been using MQ for a couple of years now, this looks better to me. DDX is too expensive!
-Dan
 
Last edited:
Did another run with the Dr Blood developer. Same time as before, but added a 1-2 minute prewash with water.
Fog is visible - but it scans very well. Grain is a mixture of Beutler/Rodinal - sharp, but distinct.
I will shooting another batch of XX and will add 15ml of 1% Benzo to it as a fog-cutter.
Check our Flickr F-541 to F545 (F544 and F445 still needs to be scanned - will do tomorrow).
 
"Friends"

"Friends"

Just processed eight rolls in the "Dr Blood" developer. Very sharp grain, some fog with XX and XXX, but not with Neopan 400. Very nice overall. It took over 24 hours to completely dissolve the Phenidone in the rubbing alcohol. Three minute prewash, with no benzo, 1:1:8 fourteen minutes @ 20C.

35mm Canon F1.5 wide-open, XX Leica M2:
 

Attachments

  • dawn&mollie.jpg
    dawn&mollie.jpg
    32.7 KB · Views: 2
Last edited:
Dan, I use 20-30 ml of rubbing alcohol. Add the Phenidone and stir it. Let is sit for 5-10 minutes and stir it again and then add it of the A-bath. I think it quietly dissolves over night. So far no spots that can be attributed to it. As a rule I let solutions stand overnight when mixed, the shake and filter them.
 
While waiting for the 5222 got some 5231 thanks to John - this is one from the test-roll in Leica IIIc, developed in Neofin Blau.

5293930397_ba0daef05d_z_d.jpg


There are more to come, that test roll was quite a lucky one... 🙂
 
It is too bad that the 5231 is gone - I am saving my last 400ft for summer. The Neofin Blau is basically beutler in fancy glass "bottles". My preferred 'soup" for the 5231 was (and is) Beutler 1 part A, 1 part B and 10 parts of water. Rating it @ 100 iso and develop for 6.5-7 minutes. Works very well, clean looking negatives and fine grain.
Good for high contrast situations too - mid-tones stay reasonable, highlights hold up well - details even in the bright areas. Shadows can be a bit dense, but not blocked up.
I have used it with 5222 (1A/1B/8 water) for 11-12 min. Again good midrange, really good shadows - but the grain is a bit aggressive. Scans well though.
 
Tom, thank you for the times - I used this "fancy bottled" Beutler because I was unpatient and didn't want to wait for the chemicals to arrive, but now I have already the home-brew beutler in stock.. I amjust loath to shoot much of the plusX now in the winter light, hopefully the XX will reach me this year.. 🙂
 
andreios said:
While waiting for the 5222 got some 5231 thanks to John - this is one from the test-roll in Leica IIIc, developed in Neofin Blau.

There are more to come, that test roll was quite a lucky one... 🙂
Click to expand...

So often the case. Do we shoot more intuitively/freely when on a test and instinct takes over, to advantage ?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom