The Reflx Lab Double X is a black and white film. It is based on the Kodak Eastman Double-X 5222, a film material that was originally developed for cinema film production. It will be sold in 2024 for around 8 euros.
Information and areas of application
The Reflx Lab Double X is a panchromatic black and white film with a nominal sensitivity of ISO 250. It is particularly suitable for shooting in low light because it has a high light sensitivity. Thanks to its fine grain and high contrast range, it delivers detailed images with a characteristic black and white aesthetic.
The film is used in various areas of photography, including:
Portrait photography: The Reflx Lab Double X creates a classic film aesthetic with soft grain and pleasant skin tones, ideal for portrait shots.
Street photography: Thanks to its high light sensitivity, the film enables sharp and detailed shots even in poor lighting conditions.
Landscape photography: The film's high contrast range is well suited to landscape photography to capture details in both the shadows and the highlights.
Experimental photography: The film can also be used for creative experiments, for example by pushing or pulling the film to achieve different effects.
Film formats and good cameras for film
The Reflx Lab Double X is available as a 35mm film and can be used in most analog cameras that support this format. Cameras with manual settings for aperture and exposure time are particularly suitable to have full control over the exposure.
Some camera models that are well suited for the Reflx Lab Double X are:
- Leica M6
- Nikon FM2
- Canon AE-1
- Olympus OM-1
- Pentax K1000
Development process and digitization of the negatives
The Reflx Lab Double X can be developed in most commercially available black and white developers. The manufacturer recommends the Kodak D-96 developer, but other developers such as Kodak D-76 or Ilford ID-11 also produce good results. The development times can vary depending on the developer and the desired result.
| Developer | Dilution | ISO | Time | Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D-76 | Stock | ISO 250 | 7 min | 20 °C |
| D-76 | 1+1 | ISO 250 | 10 min | 20 °C |
| D-76 | 1+2 | ISO 250 | 12 min | 20 °C |
| ID-11 | Stock | ISO 250 | 7 min | 20 °C |
| ID-11 | 1+1 | ISO 250 | 10 min | 20 °C |
| ID-11 | 1+2 | ISO 250 | 12 min | 20 °C |
| Ilfosol 3 | 1+4 | ISO 250 | 7 min | 20 °C |
| Microdol-X | 1+3 | ISO 250 | 18 min | 20 °C |
| Rodinal | 1+25 | ISO 250 | 5:30 min | 20 °C |
| Rodinal | 1+50 | ISO 250 | 9 min | 20 °C |
| XTOL | Stock | ISO 250 | 7 min | 20 °C |
| XTOL | 1+1 | ISO 250 | 10 min | 20 °C |
Calculation of the development solution
| Dilution | Developer (ml) | Water (ml) |
|---|---|---|
| Stock | 500 | 0 |
| 1+1 | 250 | 250 |
| 1+2 | 167 | 333 |
| 1+4 | 100 | 400 |
| 1+3 | 125 | 375 |
| 1+25 | 19 | 481 |
| 1+50 | 10 | 490 |
After development, the negatives can either be enlarged in the traditional darkroom or digitized. Flatbed scanners with a transparency unit or special film scanners are suitable for digitization.
Storage of the film material
Unopened films should be stored in a cool, dry place, ideally at temperatures below 13°C. After opening, the film should be exposed and developed as quickly as possible to ensure optimal image quality.
