Super XX is Eastman Kodak's ONLY thick emulsion film they still coat. It is intended as a laboratory film, mainly for making contrast masks and tonal masking (like using color contrast filters on B&W film AFTER processing) and making contrast and color masks for color negative and color reversal films prior to offset printing. As a camera film, it doesn't provide the sharpness or more accurately the acutance of modern thin emulsion films in enlargements. I have used thousands of 4x5 sheets of it developed in HC-110 Dil F for color negative contrast masks, to increase the contrast of a color enlargement FAR beyond the normal limits of film and paper, or for a subtle increase in PART of the image. Compare Ansel Adams use of Super X.
This comment has some inaccuracies and is very likely to confuse people coming across this video. "Super-XX" did exist, but is no longer being manufactured/coated by Kodak. Super-XX was manufactured between 1938 and ~1959 (although it was released as sheet film until 1992). Since you mention 4x5s and Super-XX was indeed a thick emulsion (not to be confused with a thick base), I take it you mean Super-XX. It's cool that you got to use that film! The film this video is about is Eastman 5222/7222 (popularly known as Double-X), an emulsion/dispersion which is EI 250 (Daylight)/EI 200 (Tungsten) and currently in production by Eastman Kodak in Rochester. It is not the same film. Double-X was born and always has been sold as a motion picture film stock, allegedly developed as an improvement on the recipe of Super-XX (I've also read it possibly took some of the innovations of Royal-X; b.1956 d.1987). It's not uncommon for emulsions to achieve secondary uses - Royal-X was used for oscilloscopes at Los Alamos. Super-XX was developed as a mass market film - it's possible that after it was discontinued in 35mm and roll film the sheet film recipe was altered in some way for laboratory use, which would explain your comment and history with it. That's interesting if so and would be cool to hear more about it. You're right about Super-XX being a "thick emulsion" film but important to clarify for others reading this this is not the same as "thick base" - Super-XX was a thick emulsion on a thin base (Nitrate and then later Acetate tricellulose). Double-X also uses this thinner acetate base - exactly because it's intended for motion picture use (so that in the event of a major malfunction the film will strip, as opposed to the gears on your very expensive motion picture camera). When people/manufacturers talk about "Thick Base" films are they mean those that use 'Estar'/Polyester base - including many common stills films sold today. Although this gets a little tricky - for example Ektachrome is acetate base! Presumably because it's mostly manufactured for motion picture sale and a far fewer masters are cut and sold in 35mm/120 for stills photographers. I also found a Tri-X Technical Data Spec Sheet (F-4017/May 2007) which listed Tri-X as being available in both 3.9mm acetate base and 7mm ESTAR Thick Base. The current spec (F-4017/February 2016) is weirdly edited since they've just dropped a line from the previous version, but it implies both 400TX and 320TXP are now all ESTAR/Polyester now. ESTAR is thicker, more durable and less prone to vinegaring if poorly stored than acetate-base films such as 5222/7222/Double-X). Robert Shanebrook's Making Kodak Film is a good source on the manufacturing and origin of popular films.
Lived in sham shui po for 10 years and photographed it extensively. How I miss it ! Thanks for sharing
dudeee the samee! miss it soo much
Glad you enjoyed it. I will try to film more local areas in Hong Kong.
Great video! Thank you. I came to learn about Double X. I left appreciating your eye for wonderful B&W images.
Thanks Barry! You may also visit my social handle or website for more film contents!
@@Tahusaco I will!
Nice video bro, luv that shot of preserved shadows. 😍👌🏽
Thank you! I will try to make another vid soon. Stay tuned.
these shots are fantastic, your composition is amazing
Thank you!
Beautiful photos :)
Thank you!
Great video! Double xx is my favourite film! I always rate it at 800 and develop in Rodinal. See you soon around Sham Shui Po!
Thanks Mark! I might need to do more experiments with Rodinal soon.
great video and pictures !
My favorite film as well. I get mine on Ebay rebranded.
Hi, what is that lightmeter at the top of the camera? Is it accurate?
That’s the voigtlander VCII, I find it accurate . Most of my photos taken with the M2 like the shots in this video were metered by it.
I like the double-x as well, but shoot at 200. Great film.
Thanks Lars! I would like to try using 200 plus colour filters.
I want to find out where I can get this film
Cinestill has this film rebranded by them, also called "Cinestill Double-X".
You can buy it from their website.
Whats your developing time in HC110? I also prefer Dil B at 400
Usually I shoot at ISO 400 and develop for 6:30mins at 20’C
I wonder how this behaves with studio lights
I haven't tried this with studio lights but have done it with Kentmere 400.
I want that Hiroh Kikai book!
I want the asakusa portraits book too!
03:49 absolute belter of a shot
Super XX is Eastman Kodak's ONLY thick emulsion film they still coat. It is intended as a laboratory film, mainly for making contrast masks and tonal masking (like using color contrast filters on B&W film AFTER processing) and making contrast and color masks for color negative and color reversal films prior to offset printing. As a camera film, it doesn't provide the sharpness or more accurately the acutance of modern thin emulsion films in enlargements. I have used thousands of 4x5 sheets of it developed in HC-110 Dil F for color negative contrast masks, to increase the contrast of a color enlargement FAR beyond the normal limits of film and paper, or for a subtle increase in PART of the image. Compare Ansel Adams use of Super X.
This comment has some inaccuracies and is very likely to confuse people coming across this video.
"Super-XX" did exist, but is no longer being manufactured/coated by Kodak. Super-XX was manufactured between 1938 and ~1959 (although it was released as sheet film until 1992). Since you mention 4x5s and Super-XX was indeed a thick emulsion (not to be confused with a thick base), I take it you mean Super-XX. It's cool that you got to use that film!
The film this video is about is Eastman 5222/7222 (popularly known as Double-X), an emulsion/dispersion which is EI 250 (Daylight)/EI 200 (Tungsten) and currently in production by Eastman Kodak in Rochester. It is not the same film. Double-X was born and always has been sold as a motion picture film stock, allegedly developed as an improvement on the recipe of Super-XX (I've also read it possibly took some of the innovations of Royal-X; b.1956 d.1987).
It's not uncommon for emulsions to achieve secondary uses - Royal-X was used for oscilloscopes at Los Alamos. Super-XX was developed as a mass market film - it's possible that after it was discontinued in 35mm and roll film the sheet film recipe was altered in some way for laboratory use, which would explain your comment and history with it. That's interesting if so and would be cool to hear more about it.
You're right about Super-XX being a "thick emulsion" film but important to clarify for others reading this this is not the same as "thick base" - Super-XX was a thick emulsion on a thin base (Nitrate and then later Acetate tricellulose). Double-X also uses this thinner acetate base - exactly because it's intended for motion picture use (so that in the event of a major malfunction the film will strip, as opposed to the gears on your very expensive motion picture camera). When people/manufacturers talk about "Thick Base" films are they mean those that use 'Estar'/Polyester base - including many common stills films sold today. Although this gets a little tricky - for example Ektachrome is acetate base! Presumably because it's mostly manufactured for motion picture sale and a far fewer masters are cut and sold in 35mm/120 for stills photographers. I also found a Tri-X Technical Data Spec Sheet (F-4017/May 2007) which listed Tri-X as being available in both 3.9mm acetate base and 7mm ESTAR Thick Base. The current spec (F-4017/February 2016) is weirdly edited since they've just dropped a line from the previous version, but it implies both 400TX and 320TXP are now all ESTAR/Polyester now. ESTAR is thicker, more durable and less prone to vinegaring if poorly stored than acetate-base films such as 5222/7222/Double-X).
Robert Shanebrook's Making Kodak Film is a good source on the manufacturing and origin of popular films.