Polaroid BW Tests, C-41 Reversal, Homemade Halations

A Monthly Newsletter for GOLD Members

5 min read by Dmitri.
Published on July 25, 2025.

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A few surprises forced me to adapt the publishing schedule this month.

The original plan was to focus on software updates to film Q and Chem Log, but I quickly ran out of time once the news of the new film dropped and I got busy with three massive photography experiments (along with a series of reviews, guides, this month’s Film Price Report, and a new podcast).

Of course, none of this would be possible without your support! ❤️

In this newsletter: Free film. Testing the potential of new Polaroid B&W 600 film in unmodified SX-70 cameras. Developing Harman Phoenix as slides with Rodinal and C-41. “Faking” CineStill 800T. Next month on Analog.Cafe. Support this blog & get premium features with GOLD memberships!

Free film.

Reminder: I’m giving away three rolls of Cinema Shorts (Kodak Vision 3) film every month! Details.

Testing the potential of new Polaroid B&W 600 film in unmodified SX-70 cameras.

Last year, Polaroid announced a major update to their B&W 600 instant film packs, the biggest since the 2020 colour formula rework. This update promised an improved contrast (which I read as an extended dynamic range).

One of the greatest hindrances to taking good photos on Polaroid film is its narrow dynamic range, which can make scenes with high contrast look too bright and too dark at the same time. It’s also part of the reason why the SX-70 cameras can not shoot Polaroid 600 film, despite having an exposure compensation dial that would otherwise be helpful in doing just that.

To see exactly why this may be a problem and whether this new film is able to solve it for us, I spent several fridge-stored packs of the old and new B&W 600 film in controlled settings at the studio and outdoors in the elements. “Polaroid 600 in SX-70 NO Filter, NO Mods, NO Flash?” shares all my findings along with tips for the SX-70 users who aren’t willing to crack their vintage cameras open with no way to put them back into their original form.

My unmodified Polaroid SX-70 + B&W 600 film pack.

Developing Harman Phoenix as slides with Rodinal and C-41.

Did you know that the reversal process (E-6), which creates those wonderful transparencies that can be projected as slides, uses a special black-and-white developer as a first step and a colour-negative bath to completion?

C-41 reversal is a technique that involves “overclocked” everyday black-and-white film developers with regular colour developers to develop slide film. It has its downsides (colour shifts, limited/incomplete documentation), but it’s also surprisingly appropriate for Harman Phoenix 200.

This month, I tested developing this film seven times (!) in various dilutions, temperatures, and agitation techniques with the most popular black-and-white developer to achieve virtually grainless results on transparencies with halations. These are my results:

“Harman Phoenix C-41 Reversal Process (Rodinal).”

Phoenix 200 developed as a positive in Rodinal + C-41.

“Faking” CineStill 800T.

Early next week, likely on Monday or Tuesday, I’ll post the results of an extensive test I performed with Daren, Yvonne, and Shawna, where we tested an internet myth that CineStill 800T is just Kodak Vision 3 500T with the remjet pre-washed. Some say that CS’ ISO 800 is the result of the light bouncing around in the camera or the increased developer power of C-41 chemicals — we test that too. Look for this poster in your feed or drop by the website to read all about it:

Next month on Analog.Cafe.

I expect several new product launches this August, which will surely take up a chunk of my time to cover. There are more podcast episodes in the works, a few camera reviews, and at least one review of a brand-new colour film that’s yet to make its way to the rest of the world (from Germany). I’m also hoping to write a few more guides, particularly on measuring results properly to glean unbiased insights into making better photos.

I’ll do my best to publish meaningful updates to the key Analog.Cafe photography apps as well, although I’m learning that the summer months may not be an ideal time to drop the camera and dive into coding. However, I’m happy to answer your questions and adjust priorities based on your feedback. You can always email [email protected] or post your comment below!