After years of research and development, we’re are proud to release our reinterpretation of classic cinematic chemistry, the CineStill way. Following the lead of our other chemistry offerings, simplicity is key. As with Cs41 “Color Simplified” 2-Bath kit, the Df96 Monobath Single-Step solution, and the Cs6 “Creative Slide” 3-Bath process, we are making at-home processing modernized, simplified, and safe.

Introducing the CineStill Cs2 “Cine Simplified” ECN 2-Bath Kit. Low contrast, cinema style processing for all color film. A complete, easy-to-use, 2-bath process for photographers, which produces low-contrast color negatives synonymous with the motion picture workflow. A safe and foolproof process, without all of the troublesome byproducts of the original industrial method.

With the Cs6 "Creative Slide" process the number of processing baths for E-6 film is reduced from 6 to 3. The reversal step occurs during color development in a Color&Reversal bath, and the pre-bleach, bleach steps are combined with the fixing step in a Bleaches&Fixer bath. People often wonder, "What are the compromises with combined processing baths?", such as the Cr6 "Color&Reversal" 2-In-1 Slide Solution or the Bf6 "Bleaches&Fixer" 3-In-1 Slide Solution. The reality is that there are no compromises between fresh Cs6 and carefully replenished E-6 chemistry. 

Just see for yourself! We bracketed exposures of an extreme lighting situation just before sunset, with cool skylight and warm backlight. Snip tests were made and processed in each of our 1st developers at 104ºf and the remaining 2 Cs6 baths at ~85-100ºf in a Patterson tank. The remaining film was sent to The Darkroom photo lab and processed with the 6-bath E-6 process. The Darkroom specializes in professional film developing and scanning. Their Sitte Tischer TruTrak dip & dunk processor maintains high professional standards with constant process control standards. All frames were scanned on the Skier Sunray Box with a Canon 5D mk2 with all the same settings and corrections.

Kodak Ektachrome E100 with an Olympus Zuiko 50mm at f/2 bracketed 1 stop over and under.

There is a lot of conjecture and skepticism out there regarding the archival stability and efficacy of "hobby" type chemistry kits, especially when it comes to slide processing. Some rationalize that, "Professional labs must prefer the 6-bath E-6 process because it is superior." or posit, "Why then don't pro labs use combined processing baths like blix?" Well, that is not the whole story...

D9 “DynamicChrome” Warm-Tone Dynamic 1st Developer renders approximately 9+ stops of usable dynamic-range while maintaining rich warm-tones and vibrant color-contrast with preserved highlight and shadow detail (optimized for scanning) for a more cinematic look. Mixed stock solution can be measured out at 1/2 the tank capacity and diluted 1+1 with water to make a working solution for normal warm-tone development. Dilute 1+2 or 1+3 with water for further preserved highlight detail and a more neutral-tone daylight color balance.

But is extending the dynamic range of slides really possible? Of course! That's why we are so excited. When a piece of emulsion is struck by light, trace amounts of silver harden. It would take an insane amount of overexposure to reach the maximum density of the emulsion. But in order to make the hardened silver visible it needs to be amplified with a developer. If you develop it past the Dmax of the film you will lose detail. The key is to slow down development in the highlights while developing the shadows enough to be visible. While it is difficult to increase the shadow detail that is exposed below the base fog of the film, without eliminating it's beautiful inky blacks, we have harnessed the highlight latitude of slide film beyond imagination.

We bracketed exposures by 2 stops under to show how many stops of additional dynamic-range are retained in the highlights. Snip tests were made and processed in each D9 dilution at 104ºf and the remaining 2 Cs6 baths at ~85-100ºf in a Patterson tank. The remaining film was sent to The Darkroom photo lab and processed with the 6-bath E-6 process. The Darkroom specializes in professional film developing and scanning. Their Sitte Tischer TruTrak dip & dunk processor maintains high professional standards with constant process control standards. All frames were scanned on the Skier Sunray Box with a Canon 5D mk2 with all the same settings and corrections.

E-6 Dynamic-Range vs. D9 DynamicChrome

Kodak Ektachrome E100 with an Olympus Zuiko 50mm at f/8 bracketed 2 stops.

D9 DynamicChrome Dilutions Comparison

Kodak Ektachrome E100 with an Olympus Zuiko 50mm at f/8 bracketed 2 stops.

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Slide film is ageless. For years, photographers have loaded it into their cameras and have created memories that they can view, positive images on strips of film, that could be mounted and projected in all its glory. Then, it all but vanished. Until Kodak brought back the enchanting E100 yet again, reigniting the passion for positive.

We are proud to introduce our new Cs6 “Creative Slide” 3-Bath Process for color-timing E-6 reversal film, creating three new distinct slide film results - the true wonder of slide film unlocked. This process illuminates unique color profiles never before seen on slide film, effectively turning the tried and true standard into 3 totally different films.

You already have E100. But what about E100T? With TungstenChrome, you have the ability to tap into the cinematic rich tones of tungsten-balanced photography, now brought to life in Positive. Processing with DaylightChrome yields the conventional standard you’d expect to see from the legendary positive film. And finally, processing with DynamicChrome, unlocks peerless detail, warmth, and dynamic range.

It's no secret we love the do-it-yourself approach to analog photography. In a way, it's how CineStill was born in the first place! That core mindset motivated our exploration into the simplification of the at-home processing experience, through products such as our Cs41 Color simplified kits, our TCS-1000 Immersion circulator, and our Df96 Black and White Monobath solution.

In recent years other analog companies have surfaced with the similar goals, Ars-Imago with their LAB-BOX film processing tank for instance, proving that even after more than a hundred years, there is always still room to grow in the analog industry.

As film shooting and home-development continue to establish themselves in the mainstream of creative expression, there still yet remains a few hurdles to overcome for the intrepid "do-it-yourselfer" - primarily, what to do with the negatives once you've processed them at home.

Enter Negative Supply. With their precise approach to design and engineering, they seek to transform the camera-scanning method (from one that feels less like a jury-rigged amalgamation of items home-scanners were forced to assemble in the past) into a clean and concise experience for the end user. After having a chance to test the system ourselves, we knew it would be a great fit alongside our other analog offerings. Order the full range of Negative Supply products today!

Hi there folks!

This week, we've got something planned for all of our fine-grain loving, sun-soaking, 50D lovers out there!

Image by Ethan Gully, Shot on 50Daylight 120

#CineStillDevDays part 3 is on it's way, 5:30pm PST this Friday, April 10th on Instagram Live! But First, a hearty "Thank You" to all who tuned in last Friday! Your support means so much to us!

We are excited to announce that the LAB-BOX is here and ready to order now! We have been in support of this product from day -1. It is now our privilege to assist ars-imago as their importer in the U.S., and support them at the vanguard of the analog renaissance. Our first round of fulfillment will be allocated to the backers of the successful Kickstarter campaign. After the backers have been duly rewarded for their support, we will then begin distributing orders to dealers and customers for the highly anticipated official LAB-BOX retail release date of August 1st. Inventory is limited and will be allocated on a 1st-come 1st-serve basis, so get your order in now!

We are proud to introduce two brand new additions to the CineStill Chemistry Catalog: "D96” Powder B&W Motion Picture Developer, and "F96” the world’s only Powder Rapid Fixer for B&W + Bleach-Bypass Color Film!