Shooting Eastman (Double-X) 5222 in the Leica

I thought Double X started life for use in motion pictures and had the remjet (a carbon based deposit) to reduce the risk of static, and as an anti-halation defence.
For use in stills photography the frame rate and static problem is insignificant, but the remjet was an annoyance for development in commercial labs and at home. I'm led to understand that the remjet was removed by Kodak for use in stills photography, but please correct me if I'm incorrect. The upshot maybe (?) minimal, if any, anti-halation and the glow I'm looking for.
 
Ricoh said:
I thought Double X started life for use in motion pictures and had the remjet (a carbon based deposit) to reduce the risk of static, and as an anti-halation defence.
For use in stills photography the frame rate and static problem is insignificant, but the remjet was an annoyance for development in commercial labs and at home. I'm led to understand that the remjet was removed by Kodak for use in stills photography, but please correct me if I'm incorrect. The upshot maybe (?) minimal, if any, anti-halation and the glow I'm looking for.
Click to expand...

You may be thinking of Kodak's color cine films, which most definitely do have the remjet layer. They are also designed for a different ECN-2 chemistry. Cinestill is the company that takes Kodak's various Vision3 color film stocks and pre-removes the remjet layer so that it can processed in commercial labs or at home (usually cross-processed in C-41 chemistry). They also sell BwXX, but it is basically Eastman Double-X spooled down into 36-exposure cassettes.

Kodak's product information for Double-X states:
EASTMAN DOUBLE-X Negative Film has a gray acetate safety base. The back side of the base contains an anti-static layer with lubricant.
Meanwhile, if you check the product information for the other Vision3 films, it specifically mentions the remjet backing layer.

You can buy Double-X directly from Kodak in 400-foot spools, but Film Photography Project also spools down into 100-foot bulk rolls. I and others on the forum process Double-X at home with no additional steps needed compared to "traditional" black and white film.
 
On a side note, if you're looking for a black and white film that has a bit of glow in the highlights, I suggest looking at the thread for Ultrafine Xtreme 400. Someone noted in that thread that the film has less anti-halation undercoat (or worse depending on your perspective).

My own experience with the film (in 120 format) seems to bear that out a bit. The pre-wash comes out completely clear, compared to purplish for Ilford and Kodak films. In some of my images, particularly heavily back-lit high contrast scenes, there is a bit of halo around bright highlights.
 
Darkroom print 1 XX ADOX Borax Leica M2 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Darkroom print 2 ADOX Borax XX SRT101 21mm F4 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Darkroom print 3 XX ADOX Borax SRT101 21mm f4 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Darkroom print 4 XX ADOX Borax SRT101 21mm f4 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Darkroom print 5 XX ADOX Borax SRT101 85mm f1.7 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Darkroom print 6 XX ADOX Borax M2 85mm f1.5 Canon by Nokton48, on Flickr

TomA faved this one, said it looks cinematic. That was a big boost for me.

More outdated XX short ends processed in ADOX Borax MQ.
 
dourbalistar said:
On a side note, if you're looking for a black and white film that has a bit of glow in the highlights, I suggest looking at the thread for Ultrafine Xtreme 400. Someone noted in that thread that the film has less anti-halation undercoat (or worse depending on your perspective).

My own experience with the film (in 120 format) seems to bear that out a bit. The pre-wash comes out completely clear, compared to purplish for Ilford and Kodak films. In some of my images, particularly heavily back-lit high contrast scenes, there is a bit of halo around bright highlights.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info, dourbalistar, in both your replies.
Based on what I've read, think I might give Kentmere a run for the money and see if I can induce the bright-lights glow as others have noticed.
Still attracted to Double X for the look it produces, and having located a seller on the well known auction site (the .uk arm) I can order 5 rolls instead of ordering a bulk roll and rolling my own.
 
Spaghetti Warehouse old XX ADOX Aristo #2 RC Multigrade by Nokton48, on Flickr

Rubinos old XX ADOX Aristo 2 SRT 85 1.7 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Walk in woods old XX ADOX Aristo 2 Multigrade by Nokton48, on Flickr

Front Yard Roto old XX ADOX Arista 2 Multigrade by Nokton48, on Flickr

(short end) XX turns out expired, but I think usuable. Testing SRT bodies rebuilt by Greg Stelz out in Colorado. Again dichroic fog level jacks with print contrast. So dmax could be better. With short ends you take what you can get. I shoot expired film all the time like most photogs do............
 
M6 with Summicron 35mm ASPH
Kodak 5222 in Thornton 2 Bath Developer.

jmyg7vU.jpg



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Heron Pickerington Ponds XX 800mm Fll by Nokton48, on Flickr

Minolta SRT101 800mm Fll MD Apo Rokkor lens Eastman 5222 XX Legacy Mic-X

Omega DII 80mm F4 Rodagon Aristo 5x7 RC #2 Multigrade dev


Creek at Pickerington Ponds by Nokton48, on Flickr

Minolta SRT101 21mm F4 MLU Rokkor Eastman XX Legacy Mic-X

Omega D2 80mm F4 Rodagon 5x7 Arista RC Multigrade


Have a Cigar by Nokton48, on Flickr

Minolta SRT101 85mm F1.7 MC Rokkor Eastman XX Legacy Mic-X

Omega D2 80mm F4 Rodagon Aristo 5x7 RC Multigrade Dev
 
Dan,

I have a 400 foot roll of 5222 that I'll be loading up soon. My friend Phil got me the "Student Discount."

Seems between 5222 and Rollie 400S I'll be bulk shooting a lot very soon.

Cal
 
Blue Danube Ceiling Detail by Nokton48, on Flickr


Ceiling Detail "The Blue Danube" Ohio State University campus area. For my wife and I our favorite bohemian hangout, a bar/grill with a lot of history. During dinner, Minolta SRT101 with 21mm F4 MLU lens was set squarely on dinner table, and made a minutes long exposure with cable release straight up into the ceiling. Camera positioned by a total guess. Was fun to do.

Eastman XX film processed in Legacy Mic-X. Omega DII with LED head, 80mm F4 Rodagon Arista #2 Ultra RC paper 5x7 Multigrade Dev

Sadly the Dube closed a couple of years ago.
 
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