Use of X-ray film: technical discussion with example images

[Neil Purling]

I mentioned the Non-Destructive Testing X-ray film from Foma, specifically Indux R8 in 10x12cm.
Foma said that the stuff is to order. A minimum order of 63 boxes if they have a master roll in stock, or 213 if they have to coat a roll for you.
I don't think that is going to happen!

[barnacle]

I've just ordered a box of 12.7x30.5 Typon DV-G from Bema, for delivery in Berlin. I'll pick it up in a month or so, the next time I get over there.

Conveniently 12.7x30.5cm is 5x12 inches, so I hope to guillotine three 4x5 from each sheet with no wastage. At 38 Euros for potentially 300 sheets, the price is certainly right... I'll be experimenting with Neil on this batch.

Neil (the one and only original Neil, accept no substitutes!)

[Andrew O'Neill]

Are users noticing diminished X-Ray supplies?

An article from three years ago...

http://www.qmed.com/news/demand-x-ray-film-surges-china

[Andrew O'Neill]

So I suppose when all those hospitals in China go digital, that could spell the end of x-ray film. I would stock up on it while you still can.

[Jody_S]

So I suppose when all those hospitals in China go digital, that could spell the end of x-ray film. I would stock up on it while you still can.

I think half the world is still using film x-rays, since the machines and film are dirt-cheap and readily available as those who can afford it go digital. I expect we have another 20 years to buy new film, though I will certainly stock up if I find more deals at $25/box.

[senderoaburrido]

Has anyone tried taking UV or IR photographs with the x-ray film? I know that x-rays are shorter in wavelength than visible light, so I figured it was probably sensitive to UV. I'm curious if it is to IR. The manufacturer's curve for B/R single side emulsion doesn't show its sensitivity beyond the normal range.

[Tin Can]

Not so fast, a little Googling reveals more. See also the end of the post.

We are discussing 3 years ago in China. China moves fast. This article below says Digital overtook Film in China in 2006. Furthermore they recycle negatives!

'When he came across an advert from a man seeking negatives, he assumed he had found a rival buyer. Instead, he discovered, Xiao Ma worked in the recycling trade and collected X-rays, negatives and CDs so he could drop them into a pool of acid and sell the resulting silver nitrate to chemists.'

http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...era-film-china

I also thought the Chinese X-Ray boom for Carestream must be old. The first quoted article was not complete, the last essential quote says what will happen, soon. "But Carestream’s film bonanza may be short-lived. Analog x-ray machines have a life of only five to seven years. By the time China’s devices reach the end of their lives, many Chinese clinics will likely be able to afford to retrofit their analog machines with digital scanners or buy digital systems at the cheaper end of the scale. Luckily for Carestream, the company makes those types of devices too."

http://qz.com/150796/all-of-a-sudden...film-to-china/

[Jim Noel]

X-ray film is no more sensitive to the x-ray or UV spectrums than any other film. There are very good explanations of how X-ray film works in this thread.

[koraks]

Has anyone tried taking UV or IR photographs with the x-ray film?

No, but you can safely assume that the film will work fine with UV and not at all with IR.

[Neil Purling]

Has anyone made images on D, E or F speed dental film?
I know it is only 30x40mm, but I wondered what the effective speed was.
I am aware of the differences between the speed ratings: F being 50% faster than D and 25% faster than E.