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

I have a box of 14x36 x-ray film that believe it or not I bought to use for carbon transfer tissue! For some reason I went brain dead in exposing and developing my last few batches of 14x17 film. I set up a still life yesterday and made some development changes and got things sorted out. I find that with the 14x17 one needs to be very careful with exposure. Especially when it comes to reciprocity. I frequently work with very long exposures in the dark forest and long exposures are tough to nail down.

11x14 Platinum/Xray film/ Eidoscope No 2.

http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/2451/bonsaid.jpg

Tri Tran, an amazing glow you've created here.

Thanks Tom, the lens created .My first though to post this one in abstract :)

Tri, very nice. This shows what the film can do in the hands of a wonderful photographer. Love the look!

Has anybody tried MRI film?

BioFlex MRI Film 8x10" 100/bx for $215. "One Sided for radioisotope and chemiluminescent imaging where bands are tightly packed."

Here's my new print.
11x14 / Xray film

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/6448/birdsparadise.jpg

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Originally Posted by Jim Fitzgerald

I find that with the 14x17 one needs to be very careful with exposure. Especially when it comes to reciprocity. I frequently work with very long exposures in the dark forest and long exposures are tough to nail down.

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Jim,

Do you have some information on reciprocity? A starting point for green laditude? Is it simular to a conventional film?

Thanks,

Jon

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Originally Posted by jon.oman

Jim,

Do you have some information on reciprocity? A starting point for green laditude? Is it simular to a conventional film?

Thanks,

Jon

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Andrew O'neill put up a chart over on APUG
http://www.apug.org/forums/forum37/7...ty-effect.html

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Originally Posted by Tim k

Andrew O'neill put up a chart over on APUG
http://www.apug.org/forums/forum37/7...ty-effect.html

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Thanks for the link Tim! That answers my question.

I've used that data in the field and it has worked well for me. At 10s and beyond, I cut back development by about N-1/2

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Originally Posted by Andrew O'Neill

I've used that data in the field and it has worked well for me. At 10s and beyond, I cut back development by about N-1/2

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Thanks Andrew!

I noticed that several sites also have 8x10 x-ray film. This could be an attractive way for me to test my new 8x10 setup. Does the film load straight into standard 8x10 holders without any trimming?

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Originally Posted by domaz

I noticed that several sites also have 8x10 x-ray film. This could be an attractive way for me to test my new 8x10 setup. Does the film load straight into standard 8x10 holders without any trimming?

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I don't have to trim the film to load it. You can't beat the price!

You can also work under a red safelight, which is nice......

Hello Guys,
I plan to go the X-Ray film route.
In the last couple of days, I've read the whole of this thread. Now, I'm confused.
May I ask if you can put up a digest for me, done by the Master of the process ?
I think this will be beneficial to everyone as a "state of the art".
My questions are :
1) What kind of film is best for portraiture and landscape and available in 2011, now with the near complete digital X-Ray conversion.
2) Developing in a Ziploc bag : Detailed instructions needed, I did not get it right, sorry
3) cutting film : as one can process with safe light on, will it be possible to cut all the stack at once using a guillotine, this way risking to scratch only the upper and lower sheets ? (I've found 24x30 cm X-Ray film for cheap which, obviouly, will need to be cut in smaller sizes)
4) Outdated film : Will it go bad rapidly or will it be usable if past one or 2 years ? (If I buy a 100 sheet box, once cut, it will represent years of consumption and my freezer is already full... so film will be in the fridge)

Many Many thanks in advance for your help !

1. Your taste, and milage, may vary- it's cheap enough to try blue AND green.
2. Decide if you will put the developer in the bag first, or pour it in. I can't remember what I tried. But I did mess with a sheet of film and a bag in full light, to see how it fit, how to hangle it etc. Once you get the bag sealed it's very straightforward- you can lay it flat, then flip it over for agitation etc.
3. Do you cut regular film in a stack now? I find my guillotine makes the film drift- most folks who have reported film cutting use a rotating slide thingy, from the stationers'.
4. at the price, so what ?? AFAIK we haven't been doing this long enough to know, but perhaps folks have tried outdated film and can report.
Dump your angst and jump in :>)

I've only used the green sensitive in 5x7 so I can't comment on the blue or cutting down sheets to other sizes. I do develop in 1 gal freezer bags. A few things I've noticed developing with are since there is an emulsion on both sides the bags have to be perfectly dry if you will be putting the negs in 1st prior to developer. I have noticed some uneven development and strange lines in negs only when the bags were damp. I believe this to be from the emulsion swelling at different rates. I also read that that in the 1st part of development that the Negs become slightly sensitive to red and I have to agree. I have rearranged my darkroom since my addition of a new enlarger ( I haven't even had a chance to use it at all since getting it) and my wet side is closer to my safe light and on the last batch of negs I have gotten some additional exposures on a couple negs. The only reason I know this is because 2 bags I accidentally left with the little white spot for writing on up and I could see it in the neg. I will be moving my safe light to help eliminate this. I've also read that a presoak is needed with X-ray film. I really havent had any issues yet but Im planning on trying it once I have some time off from work. I've been on 7 12hr shifts for awhile. I'm drained and dreaming of fishing and shooting some pics. Not sure how much of either I will be able to do with the holidays coming up.

I used to develop xray film in a large ziplock bag (and I believe I gave instructions on this thread) but now prefer flat-bottomed trays. I have never gotten scratches or scuff marks (intermittent agitation), using pyrocat-hd.

This 14x17 was taken with the 21in RR Toronto lens that I bought from CCharisson . Again thanks to Dan, the opportunity for me to own this wonderful lens.

http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/2...squarepark.jpg

Two from today. It's cold out, so I'm doing table top in a little warm room.
The (large) bottle with CXS regular green (stripped on one side)
The other with CXS 'latitude' green. This one was a fight to get anything. I'm gonna try it on regular green and see if it looks different.

George

Tri, I have never seen an image posted with as strong a 3d response as this... so much separation from front to back... stunning. Thank you for posting ... Bill

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Originally Posted by imagedowser

Tri, I have never seen an image posted with as strong a 3d response as this... so much separation from front to back... stunning. Thank you for posting ... Bill

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Thanks Bill, the lens did it and I'm very please for it's performance. Here's another shot for the print behind the scene.

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/424/parkx.png

Tri, this is a nice composition and great use of the lens. Beautiful print and I can't wait to see it.

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Originally Posted by Jim Fitzgerald

Tri, this is a nice composition and great use of the lens. Beautiful print and I can't wait to see it.

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Thanks Jim, sure you will see it . Did you receive the film yet?

I just got the film. Thanks!

Beautiful!

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Originally Posted by Tri Tran

This 14x17 was taken with the 21in RR Toronto lens that I bought from CCharisson . Again thanks to Dan, the opportunity for me to own this wonderful lens.

http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/2...squarepark.jpg

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Tri Tran,

I have posted a little blurb on my blog with the above image: http://antiquecameras.net/blog.html

Please send more images made with this lens, soon !

Best,
Dan

http://antiquecameras.net/images/605_potter67.jpg

Dan, nice to see this on your wonderful site. We do love using lenses like these on the big cameras.

Jim

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Originally Posted by CCHarrison

Tri Tran,

I have posted a little blurb on my blog with the above image: http://antiquecameras.net/blog.html

Please send more images made with this lens, soon !

Best,
Dan


Hi Dan,
It's my pleasure to use such a remarkable lens.Thank you for an opportunity.
Best Regards,
Tri Tran

http://antiquecameras.net/images/605_potter67.jpg

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Hello !
I've got 100 sheets of Agfa CP-BU New and a 100 more of Ortho CP-G Plus both in 18x24 cm size.
As I was printing in my darkroom, I souped one sheet of Ortho in the tray of Bromophen developer I use for prints. Film came out unscratched but fogged.
So my questions are :
--As I use Kodak 8x10 safe-lights (actually fitted with an orange Ilford 902 filter for their range of Multigrade papers) I would like to know the Kodak number of the red filter to use (Agfa Healtcare has no info on this).
--Will I be able to use safe-light for the CP-BU which is a blue sensitive film ?
--What kind of developer would be best (pick from HC110, D76, Ilford PQ, Agfa Rodinal or a do-it-yourself one) ?
Now I've to cut the sheets to fit my 5x7 and 9x12/4x5 film holders and go testing !
Thanks for your help.

If you go back far enough here, and on APUG you will find lots of experience reports.
Like
Some folks have experienced a little fogging. i use a thomas, fairly closed , with printing on VC and my body blocks direct illumination- i haven't seen any fog, plus i loaded the film in safelite- boy is that a pleasure.
A good developer is the one you have- if you don't have one, start with D-76.
Jim Fitzgerald likes pyrocat- he does carbon transfer. YMMV
Congratulations on no scratches. Try blocking off half the safelite before you spend money on a new filter

Two from Friday. Two more to follow.
8x10 Blue sensitive Xray, 14" Verito lens.
One side stripped.
ISO 50, Tray developed, Dektol 1:10 for 2.5 minutes.

Next two.

Here's mine and a behind the scenes shot from a recent trip. The neg came out flawless after 8 times TSA scan.I'm very pleased with the result although I have 37 people onboard for this excursion.

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/1825/yucatan.jpg

http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/1825/yucatan.jpg

I can see what this will look like in carbon. A huge undertaking Tri. Congratulations!

Thanks Jim, only the fisherman can spot another fisherman from the distance. The 8gr tissue was prepared for this one already.

Here's my favorite orchid called Dendrobium.

http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/914/dendrobium.jpg

http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/7...ndrobium2u.jpg

Tri, these are beautiful! I'd always thought that you have a wealth of subject matter in your backyard.

I can see why its a favorite - I like both prints, but the second one really grabs me - Beautiful!
Al

TT Fabulous prints. The Orchid is very interesting and certainly could be a favorite of mine too if i could find one.

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Originally Posted by Jan Pedersen

TT Fabulous prints. The Orchid is very interesting and certainly could be a favorite of mine too if i could find one.

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Thanks Jan. These orchids are favorable to most people and they are highly collectible. Good luck with the search.

Hi Jan, FYI here's the picture of her, this species came from Australia . At this size it will cost you as much as the lens that was taken with .Let me know if you want me to locate you one. The upside is she blooms 2-3 time a year.Enjoy.

http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/4258/den.jpg

TT, Thanks for posting this photo of a very interesting Orchid.

Nothing as special as carbon or Pt/Pd just a straight scan of an old boat waiting to rot. 8x10 Kodak MXG @ ISO25 developed in Rodinal 1:100 for 6min with rotary processor.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6...143ebd57a9.jpg
Ready to set sail

Really nice! I love the detail in this shot. May have to get some of this film.

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Originally Posted by Jim Fitzgerald

Really nice! I love the detail in this shot. May have to get some of this film.

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Thanks Jim, It nice film for Xray.

Bavi, Vietnam

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3009/5...566f7114_b.jpg

8x10 Afga, Berthiot Paris 300mm 3s f/32 scaned from Drimax x-ray film

8x10 Platinum print taken with 12 in B&L Portrait Plastigmat lens from CCharrison. Again thanks Dan for the wonderful lens.

http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/2...teraudubon.jpg

Tri, I really love the abstract quality of this image.

I need to go to Vietnam! Very nice!