Comparison of 3 great BW films using three identical Olympus XA cameras and shooting the same frame (shot) with each of them. All three films were metered at 250 ISO.
catlab x320 shot at 250
kodak tri-x 400 shot at 250
cinestill bwxx 250 shot at 250
catlab x320 shot at 250
kodak tri-x 400 shot at 250
cinestill bwxx 250 shot at 250
catlabs x320 shot at 250
kodak tri-x 400 shot at 250
cinestill 250 shot at 250
catlab x320 shot at 250
kodak tri-x 400 shot at 250
cinestill bwxx 250 shot at 250
catlabs x320 shot at 250
kodak tri-x 400 shot at 250
cinestill bwxx 250 shot at 250
CatLABS X Film 320 Pro BW
Recently (October 2022), I came across the CatLABS X Film 320 and was intrigued by the deep darks in the images shown online. Their website states:
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CatLABS X FILM 320 is a classic, medium-speed film designed for a wide array of shooting conditions, available in 35mm (36exp) and 120-roll film
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An ideal “street film,” offering versatility and unique characteristics
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Following in the footsteps of some classic historical films, CatLABS X FILM 320 Pro is characterized by its distinct grain quality, contrast, and tonal range, which is not found with other currently available films.
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Produces unique deep grey tones with an almost silvery/metallic look
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Suitable for low light or available light conditions
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Exhibits a wide exposure latitude under various lighting conditions
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Rate it at 200 ISO when shooting outdoors in bright sunlight for the best results. Push it as high as 1600 when shooting under artificial/low-light conditions
Kodak Professional TRI-X 400 Film
KODAK PROFESSIONAL TRI-X 320 and 400 Films are high-speed panchromatic films that are a good choice for photographing dimly lighted subjects or fast action, for photographing subjects that require good depth of field and fast shutter speeds, and for extending the distance range for flash pictures.
TRI-X 400 Film is recommended for push-processing applications.
FEATURES BENEFITS
• Fine grain • Good for producing high-quality images
• Wide exposure latitude • Rich tonality maintained with overexposure and underexposure
• High sharpness • Good for applications that require a moderate degree of enlargement
• High resolving power • Good rendition of detail
Buy Kodak TRI-X 400 FilmCineStill BwXX Motion Picture Film
CineStill BwXX is a classic panchromatic black and white negative film for outdoor and studio use. It has a variable base sensitivity of ISO 250 under daylight (5500K) and ISO 200 under tungsten lighting (3200K) and can be rated up to ISO 1600 with the appropriate processing compensation.
Ideal for low-light situations, this film delivers rich blacks and high-contrast images while also providing very high sharpness, a broad tonal range, and a fine-grain structure. It is an excellent choice for those looking for a classic film stock to fill the void left by the discontinuation of its wonderful sister films, Kodak Plus-X (discontinued in 2010) and TXP320. This film stock has been left relatively unchanged since its release in 1959 for still and motion picture use.
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.
FEATURES
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Black and white negative film
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Variable speed (ISO 200-800)
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35mm/36 exp.
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Classic cinematic look
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Rich tonality
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Excellent sharpness