After all the roads and film stocks I’ve shot with over the last couple of months, all have lead to Eastman Kodak Double-X 5222. I’ve been searching for that go-to film by trying pretty much everything out there. I had amazing results with a lot of them but something keeps pulling me back to Double-X.
I love the character this film has. The deep blacks and blown-out highlights have been a real treat for me to shoot. Oh and hello grain. Since I’ve been getting off work later, it’s been mostly night shooting. I’ve shot this at 200 and 400 but I needed a black and white film with latitude like Tri-X or HP5 that I can shoot at 1600. I primarily shoot this stock at 1600 for the option of shooting at day and night.
I shoot a lot of street so the light changes and it helps to have a film stock that is forgiving. Also, it helps that the Nikon FE2 can shoot at 1/4000s of a sec when the ISO dial is cranked up to 11. The Nikon Nikkor 50 f/1.8 AI-S lens helps with really low light situations too. Given shooting at 1600 brings in more contrast and grain, I actually don’t mind the look at all, actually welcome it. That’s why a lot of people including me are getting back into film, for the character and feeling from which film gives to you.
Switching from digital about 6 months, I’ve complete transferred over to just film for personal work, from developing to scaring and printing, I’ve been bitten by the film bug. This is also the first stock I bulk rolled into my own cassettes. I’ve really enjoyed slowing down and working with my hands in photography again. I shot this at 1600 ISO developed in HC-110 with Dilution B at 20 mins, all shot in Atlanta GA.
This is definitely my favorite stock I’ve discovered. I will continue to shoot this for as long they make it. I’ve scanned this with my mirrorless camera and imported this into LR for adjustment. I’m not for zooming and cleaning up little imperfections from the scan so I usually end up keeping these pretty dirty. I think that adds to the character of this stock.
Until next time.
~ Justin
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Great series, Justin! I really love the umbrella and window/silhouette images. Wonderful work.
Pro tip for people trying this one: A color filter is pretty much mandatory for this film. It hates overexposure, so blue skies are death for your images. A Wratten 22 takes care of the problem nicely.
Thanks for the tips Emily, I use a yellow filter for this stock.
I love this film. I am thinking about buying bulk roll. Can’t wait to test it on Belini DuoStep.
Dont hesitate, its magic.
Some great shots here and I love the character of the Film. Your article says you shot it at EI1600 but the title says EI200. It looks to me like 1600 but I’m a little confused; which is it? I will try to push this film to 1600 next time I get a hold of some though; ity has a lovely character I’d like to reproduce.
Thanks
Hey tristianos, sorry I wasnt clear in the article, its box speed is rated at ISO200. I usually push this to ISO1600 on a daily basis, then compensate for the under exposed by pushing in the development, HC-110 is great for this. Wouldnt be a bad idea to over develop a little to bring in more contrast and highlight detail 😉
Where do you find double x? Is it a cinema film that you bulk load?
I bulk rolled this, FPP has it in 100 foot rolls
I don’t shoot film but I love the way certain stocks look, the double x rendering seems beautiful. Great photos!
FPP sells them in bulk, highly recommend with those 60s era Nikkors 🙂
Excellent work, I love No4.
Thank you Clare
Very interesting, Justin. This is a new film stock for me, had not heard of it before. Looks very interesting – thanks for sharing!! Cheers!
Its really special, definitely try some out