Favorite Speed Rating and Film Developer for Double-X?

Aidan Gravelle · Jul 28, 2023

I’ve been shooting Double-X for some time now and I usually shoot and develop in accordance with the data sheets. (Rated at 250 and developed in D-96 for 7 min at 20°C).

I’m just curious on how you guys shoot and develop Double-X.

KyleMika · Jul 28, 2023

I have a bunch of D-76 so I usually go with that. It's only off by 20 after-all . But I would like to see the difference, I believe I get more contrasty results (I try to shoot at 200 or 250 ISO)

FriedLouisStudio · Jul 29, 2023

I've been shooting Double-X in my Pen F half-frame and "rating" it at 200 - but mostly just estimating exposure without a meter. I've been developing in D-76 1:1 for 10 minutes at 68 degrees, with twice-a-minute agitation. Really nice:

I love this film! See lots of other folks' methods here:

FilmDev | 73 recipes found that contained the phrase 'double-x '

Develop your own black and white film then link the results to your photos on Flickr

filmdev.org

runswithsizzers · Jul 29, 2023

Aidan Gravelle said:
I’ve been shooting Double-X for some time now and I usually shoot and develop in accordance with the data sheets. (Rated at 250 and developed in D-96 for 7 min at 20°C).

I’m just curious on how you guys shoot and develop Double-X.

Can you show examples of the kind of results you have been getting?

qqphot · Jul 29, 2023

I primarily use TMax developer so it's always on hand - I found that 6 minutes at 20C works ok for me at EI 200-250. The grain looks nice this way and contrast is manageable though I might make other choices if I were darkroom printing vs scanning.

madNbad · Jul 29, 2023

This was taken with a M4 using a Voigtlander 35 2.0 Ultron V1 fitted with a 022 light yellow filter. ISO 200, HC-110 Dilution B:

Aidan Gravelle · Jul 29, 2023

runswithsizzers said:
Can you show examples of the kind of results you have been getting?

These two shots were from a roll of Double-X rated at 250. Processed in fresh D-96 for 7 min at 21°C (Water was a bit warmer). However this is the recommended time and temp listed in the data sheet.

Aidan Gravelle · Jul 29, 2023

Aidan Gravelle said:
I’ve been shooting Double-X for some time now and I usually shoot and develop in accordance with the data sheets. (Rated at 250 and developed in D-96 for 7 min at 20°C).

I’m just curious on how you guys shoot and develop Double-X.

Correction: 21°C is what is listed for as the processing tempature in the Kodak data sheet.

otto.f · Jul 30, 2023

It’s not a big thing, just ISO250 and Xtol 1+1 10’, or some other. This film isn’t an enigma, like for instance Ferrania

Christiaan Phleger · Jul 30, 2023

An incredibly flexible film, I suggest sampling at least a few rolls at ISO 250 in Adox Borax M-Q Replenished, as per Tom A. Almost, almost like Tri-X of yore.

snusmumriken · Jul 30, 2023

I use Barry Thornton’s 2-bath developer for almost everything. I did my tests for Double-X and found that ISO 320 was correct for my developer and equipment. Tried it out in bright October sunshine in Paris, and was very pleased with the results.

Bronson Dugnutt · Jul 30, 2023

16mm Double-X w/ yellow filter, D-96 stock 7'

The highlights tend to block up very quickly in my experience. Try it under scant incandescent lighting.

snusmumriken · Jul 31, 2023

Bronson Dugnutt said:
16mm Double-X w/ yellow filter, D-96 stock 7'

View attachment 345266

The highlights tend to block up very quickly in my experience.

That’s what I had understood from various places on the web. However, that’s not what I found. I deliberately shot into the light in bright sunshine and everything printed straight on G2 or 1.5.

I expected some compensating effect from the 2-bath developer, but I don’t know if that is enough to explain such different experiences. Perhaps more likely that a metol-only developer builds density less quickly?

runswithsizzers · Jan 25, 2024

I just processed my first roll of 35mm CineStill BxXX in LegacyPro Eco-Pro, 1+1. Processing was in a small tank for 10:00 at 20*C, with initial agitation of 5 inversions, then 3 inversions every 30 seconds.

I metered at EI 200 using the built-in meter in my Pentax MX. I have not tried to make darkroom prints, but looking at the <negatives> I think that was enough exposure, but maybe just barely(?) Close enough for my hybrid workflow.

A couple of examples below, or you can see the whole roll <here>.

Based on what I was seeing online, I was afraid the negatives would be too grainy and too contrasty for my taste, but overall I am pleased with the results. I plan to get some more, but hopefully I can find some other source that prices the film lower than what I paid for this roll of CineStill, which was US$14 for 36 exposures from B&H.

Sanug · Jan 25, 2024

I use Adox XT-3 (equivalent to Xtol) 1+1 10 min. or 1+2 14 min. at 20°C. Both with excellent results. The grain is visible, but fine, and with a pleasing structure.

FriedLouisStudio · Jan 25, 2024

If you don't mind using shorter rolls, I just looked, Film Photography Project still has their "X2" Double-X at $8.99 for a 24-exposure roll.

I prefer the shorter rolls for half-frame use: I've been getting 55 frames with these in my Pen F. Double-X is a great half-frame emulsion.

runswithsizzers · Jan 25, 2024

FriedLouisStudio said:
If you don't mind using shorter rolls, I just looked, Film Photography Project still has their "X2" Double-X at $8.99 for a 24-exposure roll.

I prefer the shorter rolls for half-frame use: I've been getting 55 frames with these in my Pen F. Double-X is a great half-frame emulsion.

Thanks for the heads up.

I would prefer 36 exposures, but B&H doesn't have any CineStill BwXX in 36 exp. right now, so it is good to know Film Photography Project has some of their X2 available. Looks like both Photo Warehouse and Freestyle have some variation of 5222 in stock, as well, although Freestyle mentions their stock is low.

My first thought was that CineStill BwXX from B&H was priced on the high side, but after doing the math (including shipping), and assuming an order for four 36-exposure rolls - or six 24-exposure rolls - then the CineStill from B&H is priced somewhere in the middle at about $0.39 USD per shot. The others range from $0.32 to 0.57 per exposure. And if you are willing to buy a 5-pack from Photo Warehouse, the cost drops to $0.30 per exposure. I don't know why I bothered to add it up; for the small amount of film I shoot, cost is not really a major consideration.

I would love to have a Pen F!

Adam W · Jan 25, 2024

I use it at ISO 250 and develop in HC-110 1+49 (dilution E is 1+47).

Bill Burk · Jan 26, 2024

You can get it on eBay. That’s where I got my first few rolls until I decided I liked it enough to buy a hundred feet from @RoboRepublic

loccdor · Feb 1, 2024

I first tried it in 510-pyro, 1+100, 7 minutes rated at 200. Fell in love with it there. I like the film more than Tri-X, which must have been the first film I loved. So satisfied with the tonality and fine grain that I don't think I would try it in another developer unless I ran out.

Coincidentally, its development time is the same as Fomapan 100, which is convenient.

Bill Burk · Feb 3, 2024

loccdor said:
I first tried it in 510-pyro, 1+100, 7 minutes rated at 200. Fell in love with it there. I like the film more than Tri-X, which must have been the first film I loved. So satisfied with the tonality and fine grain that I don't think I would try it in another developer unless I ran out.

Looks great

yossi · Feb 22, 2024

runswithsizzers said:
I just processed my first roll of 35mm CineStill BxXX in LegacyPro Eco-Pro, 1+1. Processing was in a small tank for 10:00 at 20*C, with initial agitation of 5 inversions, then 3 inversions every 30 seconds.

I metered at EI 200 using the built-in meter in my Pentax MX. I have not tried to make darkroom prints, but looking at the <negatives> I think that was enough exposure, but maybe just barely(?) Close enough for my hybrid workflow.

A couple of examples below, or you can see the whole roll <here>.

Based on what I was seeing online, I was afraid the negatives would be too grainy and too contrasty for my taste, but overall I am pleased with the results. I plan to get some more, but hopefully I can find some other source that prices the film lower than what I paid for this roll of CineStill, which was US$14 for 36 exposures from B&H.

In Singapore where I am, it is possible to buy double-x from a Chinese e-commerce platform known as Taobao. Including shipping by airmail, it is about US$7.50/roll of 36. I think they would ship overseas (of course the major difficulty is to be able to communicate with them in Chinese language.)

These are repackaged from Kodak double-x bulk roll. I have tried it and the results are good. Films are fresh and minimum fine scratch lines if any.

Attached is one picture that I took today with this double-x film and developed in D96 stock, 7min at 21°C.

Leica M6/Canon 50mm f1.5.

Saganich · Feb 22, 2024

510 Pyro looks nice... 125 ml = 50 rolls of 36 at 1:100...not bad if I'm correct. I've been shoot XX at ASA 200 in D23 or D96 with development time between 7 and 9 minutes depending on general light conditions. I purchase 400' rolls and spool it into smaller rolls to fit bulk loader.

chuckroast · Feb 22, 2024

35mm Double X, EI 250, semistand processed for an hour (2min initial agitation, 10sec at 31 min) in Pyrocat-HD 1.5:1:250:

loccdor · Feb 22, 2024

These all look great, love this film.

Favorite Speed Rating and Film Developer for Double-X?

Aidan Gravelle

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