Red-scale photography with Cinestill Redrum

Red-scale photography with Cinestill Redrum

Since its announcement last Autumn, I've been wanting to try out some red-scale photography with Cinestill Redrum. Written in the new stock's literature was "All work and no play makes a dull photo" and that can not be truer during these times. With the virus of unknown origins and now rumblings of world war disrupting the world supply chain, it took some time to get my grubby little hands on a roll to give it a go.

What is Redrum?

Red-scale photography is achieved by reverse-rolling for exposing through the base of the film, rather than directly to the emulsion. Everybody knows now that Cinestill 800T is a unique-looking film with its anti-halation layer removed and shot normally, but now it is “flipped” to make it redscale. Produced using CineStill’s 800T emulsion, Redrum is uniquely appropriate for red-scale photography because there is no anti-halation layer to disrupt the light, resulting in higher speed (ISO 200), better sharpness and color.

The shinier emulsion side is on the back

Features

• Color negative film
• Red scale film - monochromatic red, yellowish hues
• 120 medium format
• ISO 200
• Safe for C-41 photo lab processing
• Factory spooled

I've always appreciated labels that have notes for pushing

" Enter room 237 to produce dramatic red, yellow, and orange toned images." Cinestill says the images made with the film have a monochromatic red and yellowish tint that the company says makes for “spooky” imagery.

Cinestill Redrum Sample Images

The following images were taken on a Rolleiflex SL66, self-developed in Cinestill CS41 and scanned on a Canoscan 9000f.

The results reveal monochromatic reds, oranges, and even blindingly bright yellows. It makes it feel as if you took photos on Arrakis or something. Obviously applications for this film are limited but I think it's fun and would love to try some more at different speeds and lighting.

Cinestill said to get this limited edition film while you can because you won’t be able to shoot it forever and it is true.Unfortunately, there are all sold out on Cinestill's website, but random retailers might still have some available. In Japan, it is only available through Kawauso.

Should Cinestill make more of this? Would love to hear others' experience with it and other red-scale films, feel free to comment below.

MN

The post Red-scale photography with Cinestill Redrum appeared first on Japan Camera Hunter.

#reviews #buyfilm #cinestill #filmreview #newmediumformatfilm #not120mm #redscalephotography #redrum #shootfilm

Red-scale photography with Cinestill Redrum

Red-scale photography with Cinestill Redrum

Since its announcement last Autumn, I've been wanting to try out some red-scale photography with Cinestill Redrum. Written in the new stock's literature was "All work and no play makes a dull photo" and that can not be truer during these times. With the virus of unknown origins and now rumblings of world war disrupting the world supply chain, it took some time to get my grubby little hands on a roll to give it a go.

What is Redrum?

Red-scale photography is achieved by reverse-rolling for exposing through the base of the film, rather than directly to the emulsion. Everybody knows now that Cinestill 800T is a unique-looking film with its anti-halation layer removed and shot normally, but now it is “flipped” to make it redscale. Produced using CineStill’s 800T emulsion, Redrum is uniquely appropriate for red-scale photography because there is no anti-halation layer to disrupt the light, resulting in higher speed (ISO 200), better sharpness and color.

The shinier emulsion side is on the back

Features

• Color negative film
• Red scale film - monochromatic red, yellowish hues
• 120 medium format
• ISO 200
• Safe for C-41 photo lab processing
• Factory spooled

I've always appreciated labels that have notes for pushing

" Enter room 237 to produce dramatic red, yellow, and orange toned images." Cinestill says the images made with the film have a monochromatic red and yellowish tint that the company says makes for “spooky” imagery.

Cinestill Redrum Sample Images

The following images were taken on a Rolleiflex SL66, self-developed in Cinestill CS41 and scanned on a Canoscan 9000f.

The results reveal monochromatic reds, oranges, and even blindingly bright yellows. It makes it feel as if you took photos on Arrakis or something. Obviously applications for this film are limited but I think it's fun and would love to try some more at different speeds and lighting.

Cinestill said to get this limited edition film while you can because you won’t be able to shoot it forever and it is true.Unfortunately, there are all sold out on Cinestill's website, but random retailers might still have some available. In Japan, it is only available through Kawauso.

Should Cinestill make more of this? Would love to hear others' experience with it and other red-scale films, feel free to comment below.

MN

The post Red-scale photography with Cinestill Redrum appeared first on Japan Camera Hunter.

#reviews #buyfilm #cinestill #filmreview #newmediumformatfilm #not120mm #redscalephotography #redrum #shootfilm

First Look: Cinestill BwXX 120

First Look: Cinestill BwXX 120

Christmas cometh early to the film photography world when Cinestill finally released BwXX in 120 (#not120mm) last month. With film stocks dwindling with the glaciers, it is a boon that options are still popping up. I loved BwXX in 135, which we reviewed here, so getting my little fingers on a larger emulsive surface had me photographically licking my chops.

The Dealio

CineStill is proud to release this coveted classic cinema film emulsion — which has historically been reserved only for cinematographers since 1959 — in true 120 format for the first time. This compliments the previous release of BwXX in 35mm format, making both formats now available to photographers around the world looking for a versatile and beautiful black and white film stock.

Enjoyed these classic motion pictures? Some of the iconic movies filmed on the classic Eastman Double-X film stock 5222 / 7222 include:

The Lighthouse (2019), Raging Bull (1980), Schindler 's List (1993), Stranger Than Paradise (1984), Malcolm & Marie (2021), Memento (2000), Kafka (1991), Casino Royale (2006), I'm Not There (2007), Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003), Manhattan (1979), Cinderella Man (2005), Aferim! (2015), Frantz (2016), American Horror Story (2011-2017), and many many more.

Akin to the legendary Kodak Plus-X & Tri-X emulsions, it is an excellent choice for all those looking for a classic film stock with top-level performance and versatility in a variety of conditions.

Cinestill BwXX 120 Tech Specs

CineStill BwXX is a variable speed, classic panchromatic black and white negative film for both outdoor and indoor/studio use. It has a variable base sensitivity of ISO 250 under daylight (5500K) and ISO 200 under tungsten (3200K) lighting conditions, and can be rated up to ISO 1600 with the appropriate processing compensation. Ideal for low light situations, this film delivers rich blacks and and wide range of tonal steps, while also providing very high sharpness, crisp micro-contrast, and a fine grain structure.

Features

• Black and white negative film
• Variable speed (ISO 200-800)
• 120 format
• Classic cinematic look
• Rich tonality
• Excellent sharpness

Cinestill BwXX 120 first roll

For the maiden roll of Cinestill BwXX 120, I thought it only appropriate to develop it with the Cinestill df96 monobath. So I popped a roll into my beautiful Rolleiflex SL66 and braved the humidity of rainy season. Shot and self-developed at EI 200, scanned on a Canoscan 8200f.

100% crop

100% crop

100% crop

100% crop

Contrast varies based on developer and method, but as a rule of thumb pushing (higher EI) increases contrast, and pulling (lower EI) lowers contrast. CineStill recommends you develop with D96 developer for better control. For lower contrast, they recommend you shoot and process at EI 200.

Please do reference CineStill’s film development time chart for a variety of processes used for at-home or lab development.

Impressions

Cinestill assures us that the stock has more dynamic range than most still photography emulsions. Indeed, from my experience shooting BwXX in 135 it is capable of deep blacks while maintaining highlight detail. For the first roll I opted to follow their recommendation and shot and processed at EI 200.

Unfortunately it is rainy season so on cloudy days the light is softer and more diffused. That’s good sometimes, especially for portraiture, but we do lose some of that trademark contrast. On a scale of 1-10, with Kentmere being a 1 and JCH Streetpan a 10, I would give the contrast for BwXX a 7.

The grain structure looks fine to me, maybe pronounced for a 200 film but no biggie. From scans and looking at them on a screen, they pretty much resemble Kodak Tri-X with more halation on the highlights giving that surreal, dreamy look.

I look forward to pushing this film and shooting in more contrasty light so stay tuned for more updates. As well as developing it in other chemicals. Have y'all tried out Cinestill BwXX in 120 or want to? It's exciting that in 2021 companies like Cinestill are still bringing us more film options and that can't be a bad thing.

MN

The post First Look: Cinestill BwXX 120 appeared first on Japan Camera Hunter.

#filmnews #buyfilm #bwxx120 #cinestill #cinestill120 #cinestillbwxx #cinestillbwxx120 #filmnewscinestill #filmreview #japancamerahunter #newmediumformatfilm #newphotographicfilm #shootfilm

Film News: Cinestill releases BwXX in 120!

Film News: Cinestill releases BwXX in 120!

That's right, you heard it here, Cinestill has finally released BwXX in 120 (#not120mm). And it looks like the wait was well worth it. It is lovely to see another medium format option.

A BRAND NEW CLASSIC: CineStill BwXX 120 — now available to photographers for the first time in medium format!

CineStill is proud to release this coveted classic cinema film emulsion — which has historically been reserved only for cinematographers since 1959 — in true 120 format for the first time. This compliments our previous release of BwXX in 35mm format, making both formats now available to photographers around the world looking for a versatile and beautiful black and white film stock.

CineStill BwXX is a variable speed, classic panchromatic black and white negative film for both outdoor and indoor/studio use. Akin to the legendary Kodak Plus-X emulsion, it is an excellent choice for all those looking for a classic film stock with top-level performance and versatility in a variety of conditions. It has a variable base sensitivity of ISO 250 under daylight (5500K) and ISO 200 under tungsten (3200K) lighting conditions, and can be rated up to ISO 1600 with the appropriate processing compensation. Ideal for low light situations, this film delivers rich blacks and and wide range of tonal steps, while also providing very high sharpness, crisp micro-contrast, and a fine grain structure.

This film stock has been left relatively unchanged since its initial release in 1959 for use in the motion picture industry. Some of the iconic and modern movies filmed on the classic Eastman Double-X film stock 5222 / 7222 include:

The Lighthouse (2019), Raging Bull (1980), Schindler's List (1993), Stranger Than Paradise (1984), Malcolm & Marie (2021), Memento (2000), Kafka (1991), Casino Royale (2006), I'm Not There (2007), Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003), Manhattan (1979), Cinderella Man (2005), Aferim! (2015), Frantz (2016), American Horror Story (2011-2017), as well as many many more.

For this film, contrast will vary based on developer and method, but as a rule of thumb pushing (higher ISO) increases contrast and pulling (lower ISO) lowers contrast. BwXX is especially suited for contrast control, and withD96 developer even more so. For less contrast shoot and process at ISO 200, and for boosted contrast rate at ISO 1600. Reference our developing times chart for BwXX that provides info for a wide-variety of chemical processes used in at-home development and at a lab.

**BwXX has solidified itself as a go-to in the photographers toolset. And now, in its newest incarnation, we 're confident it will continue to help photographers push boundaries, execute their vision, and tell their stories in new and exciting ways. For those who seek out the shadows, this one's for you. **It is thanks to your dedication and the support of the analog community around the world that we are able to make such an exciting new film stock available for creating with — furthering CineStill's mission to bring motion picture film to still photographers everywhere.

BwXX 120 will be immediately available for sale on cinestillfilm.com and shortly after at film retailers around the world.

Wonderful news from Cinestill, I am looking forward to getting my hands on some.

JCH

The post Film News: Cinestill releases BwXX in 120! appeared first on Japan Camera Hunter.

#filmnews #bwxx120 #cinestill #cinestill120 #cinestillbwxx #cinestillbwxx120 #cinestillfilmnews #cinestillnews #filmnewscinestill #japancamerahunter #newmediumformatfilm #newphotographicfilm