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Thread: Enlarging and darkroom printing from X-ray negatives. Tricks or tips?

  1. #1

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    Enlarging and darkroom printing from X-ray negatives. Tricks or tips?

    I am about to start in 4x5 for the first time (planning to print from the negatives in the darkroom). Is it possible to produce decent quality large prints by printing from negatives on x-ray film (enlarging)? Will appreciate tips or shared experiences and images. Thank you!

  2. #2
    Lachlan 717
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    Re: Enlarging and darkroom printing from X-ray negatives. Tricks or tips?

    Does X-Ray film come in 4x5"?
    Lachlan.

    You miss 100% of the shots you never take. -- Wayne Gretzky

  3. #3

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    Re: Enlarging and darkroom printing from X-ray negatives. Tricks or tips?

    Not that i know of, but 8x10 cut in four makes 4x5 exposure at $0.07.. So it is like 10 times cheaper then cheapest 4x5 photographic film on the market.. Or 4x5 for a price of one frame on 35mm film.. Now, can you successfully print from it, that is the question...

  4. #4
    Lachlan 717
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    Re: Enlarging and darkroom printing from X-ray negatives. Tricks or tips?

    At $8+ per sheet for ULF (regular) film, I can definitely see the attraction of X-Ray film.

    However, using your figure of 10x the price for 4x5, I really couldn't be bothered with saving 63 cents per shot. I just don't use that many sheets in one go. Of course, you might be the polar opposite!

    As for printing, you'll need to consider the near-Ortho properties of X-Ray film. Lack of blue sky/cloud definition would put me off it for open landscape work. It seems good enough for bush/forest scenes and for portraits. Just be sure that you're familiar with what the film can (and, equally importantly, can't) do.

    So, perhaps you need to specify what you'll be shooting in order to get some good feedback?
    Lachlan.

    You miss 100% of the shots you never take. -- Wayne Gretzky

  5. #5

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    Re: Enlarging and darkroom printing from X-ray negatives. Tricks or tips?

    I shoot portraiture more than anything...but won't miss any pleasing composition in the view finder, be that a pretty flower, street scene or an architectural element.. I just want to be able to use the film constantly, without thinking of the price of it..ideally i want to use it all the time, instead of my 35mm or 120mm cameras that i constantly carry with me..

  6. #6
    Big Negs Rock!
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    Re: Enlarging and darkroom printing from X-ray negatives. Tricks or tips?

    X-ray film works great. You just need to work out the development.
    Mark Woods

    Large Format B&W
    Cinematography Mentor at the American Film Institute
    Past President of the Pasadena Society of Artists
    Director of Photography
    Pasadena, CA
    www.markwoods.com

  7. #7
    (Shrek)
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    Re: Enlarging and darkroom printing from X-ray negatives. Tricks or tips?

    It's a great way to learn technique without being put off by the cost. X-ray film is actually a lot harder to use than traditional B&W, so if you master X-ray and get good images without screwing up any part, from exposure to developing, and don't scratch the hell out of it, you will find it's a breeze to go back to normal film afterwards.

    Exposure has to be perfect, it's very unforgiving.

  8. #8

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    Re: Enlarging and darkroom printing from X-ray negatives. Tricks or tips?

    Thank you very much for your response! I guess there is only one sure way to find out.. Is to start shooting!

  9. #9

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    Re: Enlarging and darkroom printing from X-ray negatives. Tricks or tips?

    Ilford for ever? They make xray film?
    I wasn't aware. Have you ever cut film down to 4x5? Try cutting down an 8x10 sheet of paper in the dark a d see what you end up with. I'm absolutely terrible at it and have no idea how I'd do it w/o adding dust to the equation. I have enough dust issues with loading holders as it is. Nothing worse than havingto enlarge a neg only to find that it's unusable do to dust, scratches, etc.

  10. #10

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    Re: Enlarging and darkroom printing from X-ray negatives. Tricks or tips?

    This has kindled a memory. My Grandfather Harry Ellingworth had a photograph studio called Montagu Studios (for an image see here of the street http://www.francisfrith.com/ketterin...-c1950_K13021/) in Montagu Street, Kettering, Northamptonshire UK from about 1930 through to his death in the 1960's. Kettering was surrounded by American airbases during WW2, but of course film was rationed - how do you carry on with your business? The tale is that he was great friends with the X-Ray guy at the hospital who used to supply film. I always thought this was a crazy tale until reading this thread.

    So what was the war time business? Taking portraits of US Airmen to send home to their loved ones. He also specialised in doing panoramic group photos and I am told he can be seen at both left and right hand sides of large groups!

    I am proud to be a fourth generation (not professional) photographer, as Harry's father Henry was also a photographer.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Russ

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