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Medium Format Photographs on Cinestill Double-X BwXX Black and White Film
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Medium Format Photographs on Cinestill Double-X BwXX Black and White Film

Keith Dotson
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Fine art photographer Keith Dotson offers sample photographs made on Kodak’s famous movie film used since the 1950s

One bright, hot Saturday I took my vintage Hasselblad 500 C/M medium format camera down to an old cemetery that was established in 1812. I knew I’d find plenty of textures and poignant subjects to try out Cinestill Double-X BwXX black and white film for the first time.

I enjoyed the camera and I love the look of the images I got from this visit. Read on to learn about the film, and to see my photographs from this day.

I shot these photographs with my trusty Hasselblad 500 C/M, body built in 1977, and the 120mm Makro-Planar lens made for Hasselblad by Carl Zeiss in 1998.
Nameplate on the side of my 1977 Hasselblad 500 C/M film camera.
The Hasselblad film canister that loads into the camera’s removable film back. The black arrow aligns with a small red arrow on the film reel, telling you it’s properly loaded.

My thoughts about the Cinestill Double-X BwXX black and white film

This was my first time shooting the Cinestill film, which is recut and repackaged from classic Kodak Eastman Double-X 5222 cinema film stock, that’s still used in Hollywood and has been since the 1950s. According to the Cinestill site, this film stock has been used in the productions of some of Hollywood’s greatest black and white films (since the 1950s anyways), including The Lighthouse, Raging Bull, Schindler’s List, Memento, Kill Bill: Vol. 1, Manhattan, and Young Frankenstein.

While the film is rated at 250 iso for daylight, I metered it at 200 iso, and it still seems very nicely exposed to my eye.

I found the Cinestill black and white film to be extremely sharp with strong contrasts and a pleasing fine film grain. It gives crisp images but not clinical — they retain that warm, special look that distinguishes film from digital. I will definitely shoot with Cinestill Double-X BwXX film again!

Want to try this film yourself?


Black and white medium format photographs shot on Cinestill Double X BwXX black and white film

Below are the photographs I shot on this hot and sunny summer day. Some of these will be made available as fine art prints. Click the links where available.

Headstone circa 1851. Black and white photograph by Keith Dotson, shot with Hasselblad 500 C/M, with Cinestill Double X BwXX film.
Headstone circa 1851. Black and white photograph by Keith Dotson, shot with Hasselblad 500 C/M, with Cinestill Double X BwXX film.
The broken headstone of Narcissa S. Davidson. Black and white photograph by Keith Dotson, shot with Hasselblad 500 C/M, with Cinestill Double X BwXX film.
The broken headstone of Narcissa S. Davidson. Black and white photograph by Keith Dotson, shot with Hasselblad 500 C/M, with Cinestill Double X BwXX film.
Bent finials of a rusty old iron fence. Black and white photograph by Keith Dotson, shot with Hasselblad 500 C/M, with Cinestill Double X BwXX film.
Bent finials of a rusty old iron fence. Black and white photograph by Keith Dotson, shot with Hasselblad 500 C/M, with Cinestill Double X BwXX film.
Leaning headstones. Black and white photograph by Keith Dotson, shot with Hasselblad 500 C/M, with Cinestill Double X BwXX film.
Leaning headstones. Black and white photograph by Keith Dotson, shot with Hasselblad 500 C/M, with Cinestill Double X BwXX film.
Floral carving on a monument stone in the old city cemetery, established 1812. Black and white photograph by Keith Dotson, shot with Hasselblad 500 C/M, with Cinestill Double X BwXX film.
Floral carving on a monument stone in the old city cemetery, established 1812. Black and white photograph by Keith Dotson, shot with Hasselblad 500 C/M, with Cinestill Double X BwXX film.
Piece of fallen iron fence leaning against old tombstones. Black and white photograph by Keith Dotson, shot with Hasselblad 500 C/M, with Cinestill Double X BwXX film.
Piece of fallen iron fence leaning against old tombstones. Black and white photograph by Keith Dotson, shot with Hasselblad 500 C/M, with Cinestill Double X BwXX film.
After shooting the cemetery, I walked a few blocks into downtown, where I shot the vintage cinema marquee. There's something satisfying knowing I made a photo of a classic theater on classic cinematic film stock.
After shooting the cemetery, I walked a few blocks into downtown, where I shot the vintage cinema marquee. There’s something satisfying knowing I made a photo of a classic theater on classic cinematic film stock. Black and white photograph by Keith Dotson, shot with Hasselblad 500 C/M, with Cinestill Double X BwXX film.

Thanks for reading.

Be sure to visit me on Instagram, YouTube, or Pinterest, or on my website at keithdotson.com.

~ Keith

Note: This blog post contains Amazon Affiliate links. I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases.

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