Shooting Eastman (Double-X) 5222 in the Leica

imnewhere said:
Hi all, this is my first post here. I recently made the switch from SLR to RF and settled on the tried-and-tested M3 + Elmar-M 5cm f3.5 combo. The M3 seems to be a beautiful camera, but I'm almost wishing I went with an M2 as I'm having trouble seeing the 50mm frame lines with my glasses.

I intend on shooting Eastman Double-X with this setup. Tom - I have read some of your posts and understand you also shoot an Elmar-M 5/3.5 with this film. I would love to see some photos you have taken with this combination.

So far I have purchased Double-X pre-loaded from Camera Film Photo in HK. I liked the results but found it to be a little too high in contrast and grainy for my liking. This was probably due to the fact that I pushed the film to ~400 with Rodinal 1:50. Results with ID-11 1:1 were smoother, had better tonality and less grain. I've read the Elmar 5/3.5 is a rather low-contrast lens so I am interested to try the 400ASA + Rodinal 1:50 combination once again.

I invested in an ITOOY hood for the Elmar. Would I also need a yellow filter for outdoor shooting?

Best,
R

SuTxUP3.jpg
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I process Tri-X in Rodinal and have found that adding 0.50 grams of borax to the working solution minimizes the grain quite a bit while still giving me the Rodinal mid-tones. It would be a very cheap experiment to try it once or twice on the Double-X. About the contrast I would add that Rodinal is quite responsive to changes in agitation regime as well as development time. A pity to give up after just a couple rolls.

Good Luck,
s-a
 
For slightly lower contrast you can go back to the classic D23 (metal 7.5 gram. sodium sulphite 100 gram). Seems to work well at 7-8 min for me at 320/400 iso. It is a lower contrast developer to start with. You will find a bit higher base fog, but not insurmountable so.
 
Timmyjoe said:
The metal 100' spools are getting harder to come by. Not sure if anyone is still making them (possibly Fuji). I found mine on the auction site, but you usually have to buy them with film on them. The three I have all came with long expired Fuji color motion picture film, which I discarded.

Look for auctions like the one below:

Spool.jpg


This auction had three cans w/spools listed this afternoon, but when I checked back, they were all gone. But they do show up from time to time.
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Thanks Timmy, i'll keep an eye on the bay.
 
Kodak 5222 Double-X is indeed not a fine grain film. For me in HC-110(B) the grain is just acceptable. In R09/Rodinal type too much grain.

Here a 1:1 both in HC-110(B) (1+31 dilution):

TMY-2 E.I. 320, Kiev-4AM + Jupiter-8M.

26068163445_196bc0de5b_z.jpg



Double-X E.I. 250, Zorki-6 + Jupiter-9.

30185261384_eefa87cab3_z.jpg


It is a pity the good prices in Europe for this "made in USA" film is over. Looking 1 1/2 - 2 years ago the XX film price for a 122m/400ft was 35% cheaper then now. Looking at the US$-Euro rate this will be the main reason for this.
 
Double XX is definitely grainy, but I don't find it objectionable when processed in HC-110, although I do a much weaker solution than Fotohuis, I think it's dilution H, but it's about 64:1.

Best,
-Tim
 
Satisfied Fool said:
I've got a 400' roll heading my way and im looking for some of those metal 100' spools. Do you have any idea where I can find them without film on them?
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I haven't gotten any without film in them myself.

I bought a couple of 100' rolls of real Tri-X in the last couple of years from B&H, and that's how I got mine.

Very expensive but worth it in some ways. Kodak called these "Daylight Spools". Like would go in a 35mm Arriflex made for 100' rolls
 
Timmyjoe said:
Double XX is definitely grainy, but I don't find it objectionable when processed in HC-110, although I do a much weaker solution than Fotohuis, I think it's dilution H, but it's about 64:1.

Best,
-Tim
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Just run some rolls in HC110 1:60 (about H as Tim says, just easier to measure) I had been having spotty negatives so used filtered water for all steps, much improved too easy to get sloppy.
Anyway the grain is acceptable but close up a bit mushy, it's not Pyrocat though :D
M6/Nokton 40mm f1.4 SC/11.5 mins @250iso

This a crop about 2/3 of the negative so less flattering for the grain.
Perhaps the blind slats can be used as a resolution measure?
31600220521_c20bd1c383_b.jpg



Almost full frame just adjusted the vertical and lost a little.
31342904510_abd24a5fa7_b.jpg
 
So around Christmas I received my 400ft roll of Double-X. A couple of days ago I shot the first rolls and I have to say, I'm blown away. I am absolutely loving the results. Contrast, tonality, sharpness - it's all great. I think I've found my new favourite film.

I shot it at iso 400 with my CLE and 40mm Rokkor on a pretty gray/cloudy/drizzly day.
Developed it in HC110 Dil. B for 6:30. "Scanned" with Sony A7ii and Canon 50mm 3.5 1:1 macro lens.

2017024035_1500px.jpg
 
Fantastic!

Satisfied Fool said:
So around Christmas I received my 400ft roll of Double-X. A couple of days ago I shot the first rolls and I have to say, I'm blown away. I am absolutely loving the results. Contrast, tonality, sharpness - it's all great. I think I've found my new favourite film.

I shot it at iso 400 with my CLE and 40mm Rokkor on a pretty gray/cloudy/drizzly day.
Developed it in HC110 Dil. B for 6:30. "Scanned" with Sony A7ii and Canon 50mm 3.5 1:1 macro lens.
Click to expand...
 
How are most people getting this film?

I'd like to try this film out, but dont want to invest in 400ft plus gear.. or spend $7 plus shipping for 24 exp rolls.

Thanks!
 
The cheapest way would be to buy 400' from Kodak 1-800-621-FILM They are friendly and take VISA

The TomA method is to pull off an arm's length in the dark, and tape and roll up and that's it. No equipment required. Just some 35mm cassettes that have removable ends (old Ilford, Kodak Snap Caps, etc)

You can get 80 36 exp rolls from 400'
 
Nokton48 said:
The cheapest way would be to buy 400' from Kodak 1-800-621-FILM They are friendly and take VISA

The TomA method is to pull off an arm's length in the dark, and tape and roll up and that's it. No equipment required. Just some 35mm cassettes that have removable ends (old Ilford, Kodak Snap Caps, etc)

You can get 80 36 exp rolls from 400'
Click to expand...

EDIT: WHOOPS! typo in phone number Listed. Now corrected :eek:

1-800-621-FILM Kodak Imaging in NYC
 
Fotohuis said:
Kodak 5222 Double-X is indeed not a fine grain film. For me in HC-110(B) the grain is just acceptable. In R09/Rodinal type too much grain.

Here a 1:1 both in HC-110(B) (1+31 dilution):

TMY-2 E.I. 320, Kiev-4AM + Jupiter-8M.

26068163445_196bc0de5b_z.jpg



Double-X E.I. 250, Zorki-6 + Jupiter-9.

30185261384_eefa87cab3_z.jpg


It is a pity the good prices in Europe for this "made in USA" film is over. Looking 1 1/2 - 2 years ago the XX film price for a 122m/400ft was 35% cheaper then now. Looking at the US$-Euro rate this will be the main reason for this.
Click to expand...

Ok, but is HC-110 the only alternative for this film? What about XTOL, for example?
 
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