CineStill XX

Eastman Double-X 5222, the Hollywood black and white movie stock, repackaged for stills. Classic cinema grain and glowing highlights. A stock for people and streets.

How it behaves

Rate it around 200 to 250 in daylight. It loves overexposure and hates underexposure. The tonality is classic cinema stock: rich blacks, fine grain, and sharp micro-contrast, essentially unchanged since 1959. It develops in standard black and white chemistry such as D-96, D-76, HC-110, or a monobath. It is not a C-41 film. The 35mm cassettes are not DX-coded, so set the speed manually.

Questions people ask

Is CineStill XX a C-41 film?

It is a standard black and white film. D-96, D-76, HC-110, and monobath developers all work.

Can you push CineStill XX?

Yes. CineStill rates it variable from 200 to 800, and pushable as high as EI 4000. It also handles overexposure well.

What is CineStill XX best for?

Cinematic black and white stills. People, streets, documentary work, and low-light shooting.