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Thread: Test Report: Automated Reading Densitometer X-Rite 890

  1. #1
    ic-racer's Avatar
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    Test Report: Automated Reading Densitometer X-Rite 890

    Thanks to forum user "Bill, 70's military B&W", I have an X-Rite 890 to test. This is an automated densitometer into which one feeds a test strip of either film or paper, and the machine spits out the strip and records the densities in its memory. It takes less than 5 seconds to read a 21 step film exposure.


    These automated densitometers show up on e-bay with pretty low selling prices. That, coupled with a potential time saving advantage, made me want to try out the 890 and see if it has any use in a contemporary B&W darkroom.

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    Re: Test Report: Automated Reading Densitometer X-Rite 890

    The manuals are available for download here:
    X-Rite 890 Operation Manual: http://www.xrite.com/documents/manua..._Manual_en.pdf
    Test Strip Format Guide: http://www.xrite.com/documents/manua...t_Guide_en.pdf

  3. #3
    ic-racer's Avatar
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    Re: Test Report: Automated Reading Densitometer X-Rite 890

    Although the 890 is designed to read a series of pre-exposed control strips, it also has a capacity to read generic control strips that you make yourself.
    It will read generic paper or film control strips.

    CAVEAT #1: It needs a test strip exposure with the density patches at least one-half inch wide, without numbers. The recommended step wedge is the Kodak No.3 Step Tablet which cost $113 from B&H. None of the standard inexpensive Stouffer step wedges are wide enough once the numbers are cut off.

    CAVEAT #2: Although there may be a clever work-around that I have not discovered at this time, it appears that calibration requires the X-rite 880-100 calibration strip (still available new from X-rite).

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    Re: Test Report: Automated Reading Densitometer X-Rite 890

    Fortunately I happen to have a Kodak No. 3 Step tablet. I'll fire off a few test exposures and see how the results recorded by the X-rite 890 compare to my other densitometers.

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    Re: Test Report: Automated Reading Densitometer X-Rite 890

    Quote Originally Posted by ic-racer View Post
    The recommended step wedge is the Kodak No.3 Step Tablet which cost $113 from B&H.
    That's for the uncalibrated one. The calibrated one is $270.

    Looks like a nice densitometer.

    - Leigh
    If you believe you can, or you believe you can't... you're right.

  6. #6
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    Re: Test Report: Automated Reading Densitometer X-Rite 890

    Looks like I was missing a "1" the Stouffer website. They do have a wedge similar to the Kodak No. 3. It is number T2120. The specs show it is one-and-three-eights wide (Looks like 3/8" on the website) and nine-and-one-half inches long. I suspect it has numbers on it, but based on the size those could be likely cut off and still leave at least 1/2" of width. The T2120 is $29.

    A calibrated wedge is not needed because the device won't calibrate to a generic wedge. It will only calibrate to the 880-100 which is a reasonable $35.

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    Re: Test Report: Automated Reading Densitometer X-Rite 890

    Another issue cropping up is that a step wedge with those big patches won't fit entirely on the platen of a Wejex or EG&G sensitometer (which is only 4.75" long).

    To use one of those sensitometers to make an appropriate control strip to be read by the 890, one would need a 10 step wedge with 0.3 log d steps that is about 4.5" long and about 1" wide.

  8. #8
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    Re: Test Report: Automated Reading Densitometer X-Rite 890

    Reading through the Test Strip Format Guide I see a clever solution. Cut the 9" 21 step wedge into two pieces. Then do two sequential exposures on the EG&G. That is, make two control strips (high values and low values). Then feed them sequentially through the 890 to automatically read them.

  9. #9
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    Re: Test Report: Automated Reading Densitometer X-Rite 890

    Looks like my Kodak step wedge is a No. 2 (4"), not No. 3 (9"). The difference is vital to the test here. We need the big 10mm long density patches of the Kodak No. 3 (or Stouffer T2120).

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    Re: Test Report: Automated Reading Densitometer X-Rite 890

    Which one is 3/4 inch by 4 3/4 inch for the EG&G?

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