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

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Originally Posted by j.e.simmons

I’d be interested if they can ship to the US.

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I regret the seller of the material has indicated UK only.

If anyone from the UK wants any of this film they have indicated a minimum purchase of 2 boxes (100 sheets).
Interested persons ought to contact : info@HexagonLimited.com. State that this is about the the 10x12cm Foma Indux R4 in daylight packets.
They have stated that they have 60 boxes of the stuff. Be advised that this material is expired. It has probably been properly stored, but they just want you to know it isn't fresh material. I don't have a box with the batch code or expiry date.
It is worth having some fun with.

What sort of price did you pay per 100 sheet's ?
I might look at getting some when I get back off holiday .

Same here, depends on total price.

Never mind, just saw it's UK only.

You should e-mail the seller at the address I gave in order to negotiate the price. Especially if you want several boxes of film.
Then you have to add on shipping of course, which is probably going to be more if you live somewhere especially distant, like the Isle of Skye.

I have been there & the scenery makes Man feel very small & insignificant. I could easily eat up the 150 sheets I ordered documenting that portion of Scotland.
I dare say that the same would apply to the Grand Canyon or Yosemite to our members in the US.

I got some x-ray 8x10 film. I read that this film has emulsion on both sides.
1) How do you go about placing this film on the film holder? Is there any mark on top to show which side has more emulsion?
2) Doesn't the side that touches the film holder get scratched?
3) Is it really 8x10? Does it fit the film holder, or is there any change that needs to be made ( cut, etc.?)
4) What is the ISO of the film?
5) How can it be developed? time, developer, disposal?
6) Is there lead on it? Where?

1 Both sides are the same, so no need of a notch
2 Sometimes
3 Fits just like real film
4 Depends, many start at 80
5 Start by developing exactly like your last real film
6 No lead, that lead issue was about Electron Microscope X-Ray film packaged in lead pouches for longevity. Lead disposal is an issue.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pepeguitarra

I got some x-ray 8x10 film. I read that this film has emulsion on both sides.
1) How do you go about placing this film on the film holder? Is there any mark on top to show which side has more emulsion?
2) Doesn't the side that touches the film holder get scratched?
3) Is it really 8x10? Does it fit the film holder, or is there any change that needs to be made ( cut, etc.?)
4) What is the ISO of the film?
5) How can it be developed? time, developer, disposal?
6) Is there lead on it? Where?

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The film's emulsion (present on both sides, in most cases) is relatively fragile while dry but scratching can be minimized with careful handling during loading/unloading. The emulsion becomes EXTREMELY fragile during processing. Any kind of physical contact, from sheet film holders or tray bottoms or your grubby mitts, will surely abrade the emulsion. Extended processing times or powerful solutions can actually cause physical loss and sloughing of the emulsion. Try reversal processing of x-ray film if you're feeling brave :)

ISO is harder to pin down given the orthochromatic nature of the film. With halogen strobes I rate at 80-100 and in full noon sun closer to 200. You can tame contrast by overexposing and pulling development a stop or two (which also helps shorten processing times) but be aware that areas exposed at or near the shoulder of the film's response curve will strongly bleed or 'glow' into adjacent areas due to the lack of an anti-halation layer. This sort of softness is present in all areas, but is particularly pronounced in the shoulder given the quantity of light reflecting back through the emulsion.

The film is nominally designed for 'rapid processing', so solution dilutions or development times can be an order of magnitude away from the standard values. I most commonly develop x-ray in Rodinal 1:100, which for traditional film you would expect a development time of an hour or more, for 6-8 minutes.

There is a GIANT thread about X_ray film. I wish they had kept the Image thread separate from the technical thread but it is their sandbox and we have to live with it. There is a LOT of real good info in their you just have to sit down and wade through. COpy and paste the answers to your questions, that way it is one space and you can focus just on those responses.

I have been haveing good exposure luck at 80, but I also spend most of my photo time between 5000 feet and 11 thousand feet. The sun is brighter up here. On the other hand, my developing process and/or handling is not successful and I have gotten lots of scratches. I am currently going through the thread again trying to address this issue. Good thing this stuff is dirt cheap.

There is one single sided x-ray film available that I know of - Carestream EB-RA. It is available in 8x10 only and s notched as are all panchromatic film. Nominal speed in daylight 100. It is a beautiful film and easier to handle because of the single emulsion.
Good luck - I am a devoted x-ray film user.

Threads merged.