Shooting Eastman (Double-X) 5222 in the Leica

Well… I’m back. Actually, I am still finding my way back from the abyss of grief and related trauma.

It has only been since the end of February of this year that I have been able to do any photography. But now I am immersed in the deep end of the pool, with both film B&W 35mm photography and digital medium format. It has been the key to my healing process. 🙂

So, here I am with several cameras loaded with Eastman 5222 XX film. I am ready to run with this!

My question(s) at the moment is where to buy the film in bulk and are Kodak cassettes still available? It is time!👍👍👍
 
dave lackey said:
Well… I’m back. Actually, I am still finding my way back from the abyss of grief and related trauma.

It has only been since the end of February of this year that I have been able to do any photography. But now I am immersed in the deep end of the pool, with both film B&W 35mm photography and digital medium format. It has been the key to my healing process. 🙂

So, here I am with several cameras loaded with Eastman 5222 XX film. I am ready to run with this!

My question(s) at the moment is where to buy the film in bulk and are Kodak cassettes still available? It is time!👍👍👍
Click to expand...
Congrats on getting back into it!

I get my xx from Photo Warehouse/Ultrafine Online and use their reloadable plastic cassettes!
 
Bulk film loader.

Bobinquick-135 AP 35mm Bulk Film Loader - Bulk Film Loading Supplies

LIMITED QUANTITY BACK IN STOCK! Deluxe Film loader for 35mm bulk films. Easy to use and reliable. The loader will hold up to a 100' roll of 35mm film. Great for schools, industry or any photographer who uses re-loadable film cassettes. With this film loader, you can roll your own 35mm films from...
www.ultrafineonline.com www.ultrafineonline.com

I have no idea what choices there are for bulk film loaders, but this is the first one I have found. Anyone had experience using a bulk loader like this?😇
 
I think that kind used to use felt which can scratch the film. I have five or six of the Watson type, make sure it has the plastic baffle that can come out.

www.ebay.com

Vintage- Watson Model No 100 35MM Bulk Film Loader - Pfefer Products Co EXCELANT | eBay

The Vintage Watson Model No 100 35MM Bulk Film Loader by Pfefer Products Co is a unique and reliable tool for film photographers. This unit, made in the United States, is designed for both color and black & white films, with a daytime bulk film loading feature for added convenience. The sleek...
www.ebay.com
 
The Tom A method is to pull a arm's length piece of film, cut it with scissors in back pocket, tape it on, and roll it up by hand. Works good with 400 foot rolls. No need for bulk loader. He also said to add music it is boring work but easy to do. I used Kodak Snap Caps, the ends can pop off!
 
The Bobinquick will waste less film but they can scratch too. I have an old version of it around here somewhere. I also have one that looks like the Weston only it has yellow dials. Forgot what they are called. I almost always use the Weston like in the picture above. Wastes a bit of film though, maybe a frame or so's worth. I'm super used to it though. I can practically load film with it in my sleep. I usually do it watching a movie.

I'm glad Dave rekindled this thread. Forgot all about it. Just pulled my last 400' XX out of the freezer last week and spooled it down. Kinda sucks that Eastman stopped selling directly. I should have stocked up when I had the chance. I knew it too and didn't do it.
 
dave lackey said:
Hi, Jim,

Nice memorable moments in a soft rendering. I like that, good work! I have yet to try Xtol.🤷‍♂️

What was your EI, and development time (oh, and, agitations)?
Click to expand...
Thanks!

Xtol is fantastic. Some of Kodak's best work. It is it's own replenisher. Brilliant!

These shots were probably overexposed by a stop and the last was overexposed by a stop and a half...so probably an EI of 100 to 160 (hence the softened contrast). Development was 10 minutes at 20 degrees with continuous agitation for the first 30 seconds. Then five vigorous inversions every thirty seconds until 2:30. After that, three gentle, slow inversions (lasting 8-10 seconds) every thirty seconds. Dump the developer at 9:45.
 
Slumgullion said:
Thanks!

Xtol is fantastic. Some of Kodak's best work. It is it's own replenisher. Brilliant!

These shots were probably overexposed by a stop and the last was overexposed by a stop and a half...so probably an EI of 100 to 160 (hence the softened contrast). Development was 10 minutes at 20 degrees with continuous agitation for the first 30 seconds. Then five vigorous inversions every thirty seconds until 2:30. After that, three gentle, slow inversions (lasting 8-10 seconds) every thirty seconds. Dump the developer at 9:45.
Click to expand...
Thanks, Jim, 🙂

I really would like to try a softer touch on certain occasions. Very cool!👍
 
Slumgullion said:
Thanks!

Xtol is fantastic. Some of Kodak's best work. It is it's own replenisher. Brilliant!

These shots were probably overexposed by a stop and the last was overexposed by a stop and a half...so probably an EI of 100 to 160 (hence the softened contrast). Development was 10 minutes at 20 degrees with continuous agitation for the first 30 seconds. Then five vigorous inversions every thirty seconds until 2:30. After that, three gentle, slow inversions (lasting 8-10 seconds) every thirty seconds. Dump the developer at 9:45.
Click to expand...
If @titrisol doesn’t mind me posting, there is a copy of The Genesis of Xtol from the old Photo Techniques magazine here:

Chemically, it’s a really amazing advance on all the developers that came before it.

Sadly, in the 2020s I found Kodak made Xtol problematic, just in terms of reliability and consistency, and started using Adox X-T3. The Adox product is even better than Xtol in some ways.
 
Tom A and I have been sending info on XX and developing back on forth. Following is a message I sent him

Tom, Interesting information on using Hc-110 and Double XX. I just developed 4 rolls of XX at 250 in a developer called Adox Borax MQ. It is a D-76 like developer but with enough changes that 10-20% more time is added to D-76 times. It is perfect for using in a Jobo because i can use D-76 times that are listed and because 10-20 % was supposed to be added the agitation of the Jobo cancels that out and D-76 times can be used.

I used 7 min at 68 degrees with this developer and XX at 250 and the results were outstanding. I'm going to repeat this until i find a better developer. The tones are outstanding which is something with this streak of cloudy weather we are having in the NW. I live in Skagit County just south of the Border.

The Formula:

ADOX Borax MQ
________________________________________
Adox Borax MQ

Metol 2 gm

Sodium Sulphite (anhydrous) 80 gm

Hydroquinone 4 gm

Borax 4 gm

Potassium Bromide 0.5 gm

Water to make 1.0 liter

This is similar to D-76 with slightly better sharpness, but development times must be increased by 10 - 20 %.

This developer formula was used for testing the DIN speed of films. It gives full film speed, excellent tonality and improved sharpness compared to D-76


I actually make a quart and have a replenisher formula that I add at the rate of 20ml a roll. If anyone is interested in the replenisher I will list it also.



Leo

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Adox Borax Mq Replenisher

20 ml per roll

Metol 3g
Sodium Sulphite 80g
Hydroquinone 5g
Borax 18g

Water to 1 liter
 
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