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

If you're getting too much contrast, you might try one or more of the following:
1) Expose more and develop less,
2) Use a softer developer. For example, if you like Pyrocat, try the two bath technique.
3) Use David Kachel's SLIMT technique,
4) Pre-expose the film to zone 0, i.e. 1 stop below zone 1,
5) Strip one side with bleach, if using two sided film,
6) Make a contrast reducing mask,
7) Switch from silver gelatin printing to one of the alternatives that likes negatives with a high density range,
8) Add fill light.

Peter thanks for these ideas!
May I tentatively add, keep the developer water a sensible temp in the summer with some water from fridge to avoid over development? I've not tried it since I realized it might be the cause of some of my problems because I suddenly got busy.

Olive Harvest 2015

135mm lens
4x5" Agfa green X-Ray film
Rotary processing
Scan from film, finished in PS

https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8292/2...c3d48621_b.jpg

Huh. It looks like you got some true solarization in the sun. Is that a possible artifact of X-ray film?

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Originally Posted by Jim Noel

Try HC 110, 1+100, 6-8 minutes @ 75 degrees, in a tray with light agitation.

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Jim, I process in 1 Gal tanks with the film in hangers. Will try some sheets tomorrow at 1:100 HC-110 at 68 F with light agitation. Thanks, L

Excellent photograph, Thodoris. Good job holding all that detail in the sky. Steve, that is possible with conventional B/W film, too. AA talked about it in one of his books.

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Originally Posted by scheinfluger_77

Huh. It looks like you got some true solarization in the sun. Is that a possible artifact of X-ray film?

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Though x-ray film is capable of capturing true solarisation, the effect is somewhat subtle.
For a more pronounced effect (the sun disc turning black) I use direct positive paper.
There are a couple of examples of that on my flickr page.

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Originally Posted by Andrew O'Neill

Excellent photograph, Thodoris. Good job holding all that detail in the sky. Steve, that is possible with conventional B/W film, too. AA talked about it in one of his books.

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Thanks Andrew.

Heads up.

ZZMedical of Iowa has a sale price today only, of 5% off all X-Ray film.

https://www.zzmedical.com/analog-x-r...-ray-film.html


I have no connection with ZZ, but have bought from them.

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Originally Posted by Randy Moe

Heads up.

ZZMedical of Iowa has a sale price today only, of 5% off all X-Ray film.

https://www.zzmedical.com/analog-x-r...-ray-film.html


I have no connection with ZZ, but have bought from them.

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Great! I just ordered 2 more boxes of CSHB.

POLL: Do you use blue or green sensitive x-ray film? Do you have a preference? WHY?

I use half-speed blue for a couple of reasons: I want a spectral sensitivity that mimics older ortho or even colorblind films, and I need the slower speed because I'm using a barrel lens with a Packard shutter & need to deal with longer exposures due the mechanical constraints of my setup.

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Originally Posted by seezee

Great! I just ordered 2 more boxes of CSHB.

POLL: Do you use blue or green sensitive x-ray film? Do you have a preference? WHY?

I use half-speed blue for a couple of reasons: I want a spectral sensitivity that mimics older ortho or even colorblind films, and I need the slower speed because I'm using a barrel lens with a Packard shutter & need to deal with longer exposures due the mechanical constraints of my setup.

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I use Ektascan and cut it 11x14, I use the same exact stuff in 8x10. https://www.zzmedical.com/analog-x-r...ideo-film.html

I also use Kodak Carestream CSG1 – Green in various sizes. This stuff https://www.zzmedical.com/analog-x-r...-ray-film.html

Never tried the blue. I really know nothing about it. Why is it 1/2 speed? What does that mean to us? Why is the above link to CSB1 – "Full Speed Blue".

Why do you think blue is so different? CSG Green IS also blue base tint. I think it all X-Ray is blue as it's easier on Doctor's eyes on a light table. They stare at this stuff for hours...Maybe I'm wrong. I started with Kodak CSG Green and it works well for me.

Since I am happy with how my 2 chosen by chance X-Ray works for me, I am not testing any other brand or type.

Tell us more about your reasoning.