New E6 kit from Cinestill - dynamic range

toulcaz31 · Mar 4, 2022

Hi everyone

I assume some of you saw the announcement of the new Cs6 "Creative Slide" DynamicChrome Kit from Cinestill claiming "9+ stops of useable dynamic range"

Cinestill mentioned also on their website, “Usable dynamic-range is the number of full stops of exposure value that renders acceptable detail and color. Total dynamic-range however, is the maximum range containing tonal separation rendering any detail, and is often twice the usable-dynamic range. The usable dynamic-range of conventional slide film is between 6-8 stops (total 14-16 stops). Color negative is between 9-13 stops (total 16-21 stops). Digital sensors are mostly between 7-10 stops (total 12-15 stops).”

I would be curious to hear from some of our knowledgeable members about their take on this, as I am puzzled by some of these numbers (maybe by ignorance).

Have all a great week-end

MattKing · Mar 4, 2022

As it seems appropriate, I have moved this thread to the Colour Film and Chemistry sub-forum, and changed the title slightly.
The Industry News sub-forum is better suited to things like changes to and in the participants doing business in the photographic industry.
I'll wish you a great week-end as well.

Jack Gleash · Mar 4, 2022

It’s marketing babble…I am surprised they have following with a younger generation. I feel bad for kids younger that have to deal with kits like this. It’s more complicated and not a good result. Simplifying chemistry is a great idea but they do not seem equipped to do this. I believe that Cinestill is fad…it seems they got their start as wedding photographers and really are better at selling something than making it…No hard feelings towards wedding photographers! My wife was one

koraks · Mar 5, 2022

toulcaz31 said:
I would be curious to hear from some of our knowledgeable members about their take on this, as I am puzzled by some of these numbers (maybe by ignorance).

These comparisons are virtually meaningless to begin with, IMO. The practical reality is that color film (positive or negative) and digital produce images that have more than sufficient image information to accommodate any desired visual output. I.e. it doesn't matter what material you start with, if you know how to use the technology involved, you can get top-notch prints, projections and digital screen slide shows from all three inputs. And it doesn't require any magic chemistry from a third party.

If you're into that sort of thing, there's about 1000 sites and forum posts comparing the dynamic range of different media. 999 of those are made by people who have probably never made a meaningful photograph in their lives because they're too technology-preoccupied to understand the first thing about art. The same goes for their readers, sadly.

Ivo Stunga · Mar 5, 2022

I have this kit. Tried it with expired Sensia 100 and was impressed with my inability to blow out highlights - even with multiple exposure shots.

These are my first experiments developing color, first time developing E-6 film with no real temperature control but a 20l bucket - managed to underdevelop a tad, but got results, so take this into account: https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=108634366@N07&tags=DynamicChrome
Other thing I observed - a loss of sharpness. Is this a property of this kit or a development fluke - that I don't know.

Abandoned train by Ivo Stunga, on Flickr

This is what impressed me so much:
2 shots that include skies + a shot of forested railroad track in a shade. Didn't blow out. Have both details in shadows and highlights:

That latitude by Ivo Stunga, on Flickr

Would gladly try again, but current slide film pricing is the cockblocker - can have 3 quality BW slide films for the price of one E6 film and winters over here are... Lets call them a blandscape. Will try again when the spring brings back some colors to the land, though

koraks · Mar 5, 2022

Ivo Stunga said:
Other thing I observed - a loss of sharpness. Is this a property of this kit or a development fluke - that I don't know.

In general as you reduce contrast the appearance of sharpness drops. This also happens (quite strongly) with e.g. pulling color negative film. It says very little about the degree of detail that's being recorded, but it just looks more...fuzzy.

Ivo Stunga said:
winters over here are... Lets call them a blandscape.

I know what you mean. Appreciate it for what it is!

BMbikerider · Mar 5, 2022

Ivo Stunga said:
I have this kit. Tried it with expired Sensia 100 and was impressed with my inability to blow out highlights - even with multiple exposure shots.

These are my first experiments developing color, first time developing E-6 film with no real temperature control but a 20l bucket - managed to underdevelop a tad, but got results, so take this into account: https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=108634366@N07&tags=DynamicChrome
Other thing I observed - a loss of sharpness. Is this a property of this kit or a development fluke - that I don't know.

Abandoned train by Ivo Stunga, on Flickr

This is what impressed me so much:
2 shots that include skies + a shot of forested railroad track in a shade. Didn't blow out. Have both details in shadows and highlights:

That latitude by Ivo Stunga, on Flickr

Would gladly try again, but current slide film pricing is the cockblocker - can have 3 quality BW slide films for the price of one E6 film and winters over here are... Lets call them a blandscape. Will try again when the spring brings back some colors to the land, though

I will go along with the pricing of colour slide film. Is it because that due to the limited user numbers, to make a profit they have to raise the price or is it corporate greed? A single roll of the new Kodak Ektachrome or Fuji Velvia is around £20 a cassette (about $23) then add the price of processing, it is getting to the level of use where it is no longer viable for the man in the street to use it regularly.
The use of Projected Digital Images is so much cheaper but in no way do they even come close to a sharp, well exposed projected slide. A slide with those qualities always had terrific impact and it always gave me pleasure to look at them. If they were to half the price of the film then more people may be able to afford to use it more often. Sadly I cannot see that happening.

Ivo Stunga · Mar 5, 2022

BMbikerider said:
Is it because that due to the limited user numbers, to make a profit they have to raise the price or is it corporate greed?

Let's just not go there. It's a market of a very niche product that's made by a couple of manufacturers - with all due consequences. Slides have always been more expensive : )

perkeleellinen · Mar 5, 2022

I question the purpose of this kit. Isn't the whole point of slides (apart from projecting) their high contrast? That's the look of slides, I think. Why make them look like a negative? Just shoot a negative!

Help me out - what's the draw here?

Ivo Stunga · Mar 5, 2022

Umm, do you project negatives?

The point of slides is: whatever the photographer chooses to do with it. Simple as that. No religion, no politics necessary.
My draw is: - simplified procedure; - extended latitude; - warm tone. That's what was promised on the package, that's what got delivered.
Something to enrich my slide collection with, something to play around with. Something to use in high contrast URBEX situations.

A process that could excel at soft focus applications perhaps - it's not something only negative shooters might want.

perkeleellinen · Mar 5, 2022

Thanks Ivo, useful for portraits, perhaps.

MattKing · Mar 5, 2022

Back in the day, I might recommend the older, pre-E6 Agfa slide films for those who were seeking a less contrasty and more pastel pallete than the usual Kodak or Fuji offerings.
This shot owes its lower contrast appearance to the character of the light - diffused and enveloping - but something similar might be obtained in harsher light with the Cinestill product:

peter k. · Mar 5, 2022

MattKing said:
but something similar might be obtained in harsher light with the Cinestill product:

Yep, we have the harsh light light here in the southwest, and gotten back into shooting positive slide film again. So we just finished our Arista e-6 developer, so getting ready to give this Cinestill a try and see what happens.

Looking forward to the experience, BTW... where shooting landscapes in MF and large format in Provia 100, and have no way nor need to projecting it.
Just love it as it is, and the challenge of correct exposure.

Aidan Sciortino · Mar 5, 2022

I had a lot of issues with the D9 “dynamic developer” when it first came out in 2020. Completely ruined 3 rolls of ektachrome, and I’m certain it was purely a first developer problem.

Obviously YMMV, and I’ve seen good results. I’m a bit tempted to try it again, maybe I will when I start rolling down 5294 and mistakes are much cheaper

xonefs · Jan 8, 2023

I'm curious about this one. they say they don't recommend push processing with d9. I asked and they said development times would be too long... not sure but I'm curious if anyone has attempted pushing with d9 anyway.

Rhodes · Sep 25, 2023

Hello,
I "discovered" the kit and want to ask, have more people did try it and should I go and try it. I always used tetenal 3 bath and recently, I used the Bellini one, but all that baths are not for me and i think it didn't last as the tetenal kit.
The price is also appealing.

Oz Etkin · Sep 26, 2023

Rhodes said:
Hello,
I "discovered" the kit and want to ask, have more people did try it and should I go and try it. I always used tetenal 3 bath and recently, I used the Bellini one, but all that baths are not for me and i think it didn't last as the tetenal kit.
The price is also appealing.

I have used both the DaylightChrome and DynamiChrome developers with this kit and have not had any good results. My slides always came out looking 1-2 stops too dark, even when I know my exposures and development were correct.

Rhodes · Sep 27, 2023

Oz Etkin said:
I have used both the DaylightChrome and DynamiChrome developers with this kit and have not had any good results. My slides always came out looking 1-2 stops too dark, even when I know my exposures and development were correct.

I see, thank you for the reply!

Ivo Stunga · Sep 28, 2023

I can vouch for that too - tried 2 films with Dynamic Chrome and chems are collecting dust currently.

New E6 kit from Cinestill - dynamic range

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New E6 kit from Cinestill - dynamic range

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