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

Hi Paul,

I'm doing a similar project, working up to 14x17 on x-ray film.

Here's a recent thread on safelights:
https://www.largeformatphotography.i...oom-Safe-Light

I tested a few safelights at different distances from the film and found that it is far less tolerant of safelights than paper. As described in the thread, I'm currently using a red LED bounced off the rear wall of my darkroom. The light travels about 6' to the rear will and 12' back to where I am and I keep my body in front of the film when handling it. It is barely bright enough to work. I'd love to know if there is something that can be used more directly without fogging the film.

There's no problem physically cutting the stuff. A paper cutter will allow you to get straight cuts to the required size for your film holders. I have been using a guillotine style cutter but I am considering buying a rotary trimmer with good guides that can be pre-set because using the guillotine in very dim light is a little scary. That said, you are likely to scratch the film when cutting it. I have been draping tracing paper over the cutter and I am very careful to lift and place the film rather than drag it into place. I also wear rubber gloves while handling it and move it minimally. The emulsion is extremely delicate and it's on both sides. For example, gently rubbing tracing paper on it will scratch the emulsion, pushing it into your film holders will scratch the emulsion, etc.

Thanks Barry! I'll test out 660nm LEDs. A brighter safelight would really make working with the film easier.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by philfrem14

Hi Philippe,
You can find here:

https://www.ebay.fr/itm/HRU-810-FUJI...wAAOxyi3FR5s7I

It's not so expensive when you compared with panchromatic films ...

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Merci, Philippe, j'ai interrogé le vendeur à propos des frais de port qui coûtent plus cher que les films eux-mêmes : je voulais commander 5 boîtes etme demandais quel serait le prix d'envoi. Pas de réponse...

Thanks, Barry and sebeluc, for the tips!

Barry: at the LED link, I see they do not include the actual dimmer. Can you tell me what you use? It's great to have a recommendation based on actual use; there are so many choices out there!

sebulec: Yes, I've read about how easy it is to scratch. X-ray film is really cheap, as long as we can still get it. Still, because it is getting harder to come by, I'd rather not waste it. I see a deal on 8x10, 100 sheets for $35. I can get two 5x7 sheets out of one 8x10, so that's less than 20 cents a sheet. I won't feel too bad about practicing at that price. And, of course, chemicals will cost much less at that size, too.

8x10 Ektascan B/RA in Pyrocat HD 1:1:200 7 minutes, bellows extension factor x5.75, 3 stops reciprocity correction.

https://i.imgur.com/V0Luldi.jpg

Carestream retina SOE in POTA developer.

Attachment 209440

Paul, keep in mind that the corners of the X-ray are curved. I like to slice them off when cutting down the negative to size. I'm not sure if that will affect your calculations, but you might lose a half inch on two opposing sides.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Paul Kinzer

1. What is a good safelight to use with Fuji x-ray film? I read this whole thread, but that was nearly a year ago. I've tired searching, but am not succeeding in finding anything very helpful. A pointer to a thread, or actual suggestions would be great.

2. How difficult is it to cut x-ray film down? I am not seeing any 5x7 film for sale anywhere, but see good deals on other sizes. I could get 2 sheets out of one 8x10. Is this something others have done with success? Any suggestions for a specific cutter to use?

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Get 2 of these bulbs and the socket adapter. Put them in a cheap clamp-on work light with reflector and point it at a white wall or ceiling.

https://www.superbrightleds.com/more.../attributes/13

https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...ter/2327/5670/

https://smile.amazon.com/Woods-Clamp...5285768&sr=8-3

For trimming your film to size, this:

https://smile.amazon.com/Dahle-Autom...5285918&sr=8-7

Use white adhesive labels from a label maker (e.g., Dymo) or white tape to mark your trim sizes on the paper trimmer. Lay down a clean, lint-free cloth under your cutting area so the film doesn't get scratched as it drops off the edge of the trimmer.

Attachment 209456

As SeeZee wrote the Dahle cutters work gently and exactly

It has a soft rubber holder-downer that doesn't scratch film by not letting it slide

I have 2 for cutting film ONLY

Thanks so much for the recommendations on lighting and cutters!