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

Here it comes. Just got an email from ZZ medical announcing the discontinuation of one type of X-Ray film.

Surely more to come. :(


Fuji Film Co. recently announced the end of production for their RXU Half Speed Blue x-ray film. If you are using the RXU x-ray film in a Blue system you can switch to the Carestream CSB.5 without any change in the speed of your system. RXU has the unique capability to work in either Green or Blue systems so Z&Z Medical sold this product as a Half Speed Blue x-ray film and as a High Speed Green x-ray film. If you were using the RXU in a Green system the Carestream CSB.5 will NOT work in your system. Z&Z Medical will not allow the return of opened boxes of x-ray film and will NOT be liable for customers trying the CSB.5 x-ray film in their Green system. Green system alternative films will be Fuji HRT, HRU or Carestream CSG. All of these products will cause your film speed to drop about 33% therefore you will need to increase your MAS 33%. If you are using the RXU film with Green Regular screens you can purchase Green Fast screens and achieve the same film speed.

If you are unsure of the color output of your system you can call Z&Z Medical at 800-410-9575 with the name of your intensifying screens and we will determine the color output for you. You can also perform this simple test: remove the film from your cassette. Place your opened cassettes where the screen can be exposed to radiation from your x-ray equipment and you can see the screen. Set your system for a long exposure time and then turn the light down or off in the x-ray room. Expose the screen and watch for it to glow during exposure. Green systems will put off a green light and Blue systems will put off a blue light. If you have any questions or need help with this transition please feel free to contact us at 800-410-9575.

Thanks for the push, Randy. I kept forgetting to order new box of film and my current ones are about to run out . Not that i shoot Fuji

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Originally Posted by SergeiR

Thanks for the push, Randy. I kept forgetting to order new box of film and my current ones are about to run out . Not that i shoot Fuji

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I saw that and ordered a case of Ektascan.

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Originally Posted by Randy Moe

I saw that and ordered a case of Ektascan.

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Good thinking. Time to order more 8x10 Ektascan!

I think it may ship better in a case, and ground shipping is only $14.

It may be time to order more 14x17!

I fear Ektascan is a tiny market, who exactly takes pictures of oscilloscopes these days? We stopped doing that well over 25 years ago at our lab, and we always used Polaroid, then went to video output onto a Sony printer, that was quicker than Polaroid.

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Originally Posted by angusparker

Good thinking. Time to order more 8x10 Ektascan!

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Originally Posted by Randy Moe

I think it may ship better in a case, and ground shipping is only $14.

It may be time to order more 14x17!

I fear Ektascan is a tiny market, who exactly takes pictures of oscilloscopes these days? We stopped doing that well over 25 years ago at our lab, and we always used Polaroid, then went to video output onto a Sony printer, that was quicker than Polaroid.

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Thought the 14x17 Ektascan wasn't available anymore?

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Originally Posted by StoneNYC

Thought the 14x17 Ektascan wasn't available anymore?

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14x17 was available in the last year and several us bought a 2 cases together in 2 single case buys. I still have 180 sheets to cut to 11x14 and 5x7. I don't shoot 11x14 as fast as I do 8x10 and I hope to use my incoming 500 sheets of 8x10 over a few years.

Then what's a guy to do?

I suggest others here start a buying group, if you want Ektascan.

Regular Kodak CSG which I also use is widely available. And 1/2 the price of Ektascan. Many of the alt printers are very happy using double sided X-Ray, such as CSG.

All depends on what you want.

I have a friend near me here, who thinks X-Ray is garbage and I should only shoot 'real' film. I do shoot 'real' film, but less often.

I really like that I can be free to experiment with X-Ray in all sizes and not worry about costs.

Do you think 8x10 Ektascan is close to being discontinued? What would be the benefit of buying as a group vs individually? Is it cheaper if so by how much?

8x10 is easy to get. 14x17 is tougher.

I have no idea if it will be discontinued soon, but I am sure it will be one day as everybody is going digital. It used for X-Rays not straight photography.

I like it, so I stocked up.

Maybe it will be cheaper soon, nobody knows and if they do they are not talking.

I have written and called X-Ray film sellers they will not tell me anything. I am sure their market has been disappearing very quickly.

Do what YOU think best. Good luck!

So I've been trying to figure out why my developer was getting exhausted too quickly and it hit me that I'm developing both sides of the film! I would think the blank side wouldn't use any developer up. Am I reading this right that the ektascan is single-sided emulsion? I'm using the fuji green at present. Thanks, Will