CineStill has made unique color films available for still photographers for over a decade now. Beginning with our small-batch beta films — making motion picture film compatible for standard photo lab processing and printing for the first time ever! Shortly followed up by the first factory finished versions of 800Tungsten & 50Daylight “Xpro C-41” — based on scaling our original “Premoval” process for expanded worldwide availability. And now to our further improved manufacturing of 800T, 400D and 50D — marrying advanced motion picture technology with professional photography components and specifications, in 135, 120 and 4x5 formats. We have always strived for consistency and technical excellence, while championing the unique characteristics and imperfections of film. But there still is a real difference between a predictable novel quality and a true deficiency. In this post-digital age, it is more important than ever for those who choose to shoot on film (whether amateur, professional, or anything in between) to get both their time and money’s worth. Ultimately, we encourage everyone to shoot more film, any film, and find what works best for you! However, it is our responsibility to manage what consumers can expect from CineStill film, and why their experiences may differ should they choose to go elsewhere.

Photo of a light table with some samples of imitation films processed together in the same tank with 800T as a control.

When searching for CineStill films have you come across any “brand new” color films “made by” random brands lately? Are their claims strikingly similar somehow? Have they cracked the CineStill code? No, they have not. We are not here to be nit-picky or point fingers and name names — which might get a little confusing — but some names may sound familiar to you by now. Those “800T” imitations and “400D” generics (repurposed from existing 500-speed or 250-speed motion picture film, respectively) are not representative of the original motion picture film’s quality nor the performance of CineStill films’ sensitivity and color fidelity. Although they may replicate the signature CineStill red halation glow, they are only somewhat comparable to expired film, in that they appear age fogged with shifted color-balance and exhibit a slower effective film-speed (200-400 ISO at best) resulting in a film not suitable for proposed use, let alone low-light photography; that is unless you like underexposed/expired film. For those looking for fresh film, even with the recent unavailability of 400H and C200, we are fortunate to still have several other excellent high-speed color films available today — from UltraMax and Portra 400 to Lomo 800 and Portra 800 — but 800T is still the only tungsten-balanced, true 800-speed film made for still photography. Anything else, isn’t…

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.

Order through 11/24 for BLACK & WHITE FRIDAY special pricing!

THE TRADITION OF BLACK & WHITE

To celebrate the availability of CineStill BWXX, Double-X Negative film, all black and white film and chemicals from Kodak and CineStill are on sale for Black Friday. So get your stocking stuffers now or stock up for capturing the holidays on classic B&W film, at 10% to 33% off the lowest advertised prices. 

And if you’d like to mix in some color film while warming by the fireplace or in the bright snowy daylight, be sure to add some 800Tungsten and 50Daylight in 120 or 135 format to take advantage of the FREE SHIPPING on film orders $75 or more.

Happy Holidays!

Still Silver,
-CineStill

Order Through 11/24 for BLACK & WHITE FRIDAY Special Pricing!

Available now exclusively through our online shop, CineStill BWXX is back by popular demand!! BWXX is a high speed, classic black & white film emulsion, with an EI of 250 under daylight and 200 under tungsten lighting.

CineStill BWXX is professionally spooled into high quality 135 (Non Dx-Coded) 36 exposure cartridges. Though we plan to continue producing this film, our initial inventory of this beautiful emulsion will certainly sell out fast, so order yours now!

Originally created by Eastman Kodak in 1959, Eastman double-x 5222, has since became a most beloved film for cinema and still photographers alike.

This classic black and white film stock has been left relatively unchanged since it's first release. Though Kodak no longer offers this wonderful film to the analog still photography community, it is still available to cinematographers—and why should they get to have all the fun?

Some of the movies using the classic Eastman double-x film stock 5222 include: 

Raging Bull (1980), Schindler's List (1993), Stranger Than Paradise (1984), 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.

image by Sandy Phimester

CineStill BWXX is an excellent choice for those looking for a classic film stock to fill the void left by the discontinuation of it's wonderful sister films, Kodak Plus-x and TXP320.

Recommended development in any black and white film developers. An extensive list of developing times for this film may be found at ishootfilm.org & The Massive Dev Chart form DigitalTruth.com