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

I wish I could get contrast like that, always seem to turn out very flat. Great pic!

Andrew, did you use any filters or anything? I'm going to pick up my box of Ektascan on Tuesday and can't wait to get using it.

Need a little help from the knowledge base here...

Per recommendations throughout this thread, I bought several 8x10 hangers for developing the Ektascan when I get it but I'm having a hard time finding suitable containers to hold the processing chemicals. I went to 3 different stores today, including the Container Store, and couldn't find anything that would work. Sure, there are large containers that would easily hold the hangers, but I'm looking at 4 - 6 gals of chemistry per! Throughout this thread I've seen mention of food storage containers, etc. If anyone has any specific make/part# or online links to something appropriate, I would very much appreciate it.

Thank you!

Thanks, andrewch59

Kevin, yes I used a wratten #11 (light green). Sorry for not mentioning that.

Alan9940, I made a tank myself with 1/4 inch plexi. I gave up on hangers when I realized that I could get better results in flat-bottomed trays, especially with double-sided x-ray film. With Ektascan, it's trays or BTZS tubes. Much less chemistry required. If I anticipate stand/semi stand development, I use tank and hanger. Be very, very gentle when using hangers. That's the secret.

Thanks, Andrew!

... :)

Thanks for that link, I ordered some, and sorry for the slightly incoherent message. The bike safety light is quite bright and directional. There's the temptation to use like a flashlight. If I keep it far enough away from things I can print and cut w/o fogging. I looked back through some older negatives and prints. And, I printed some developed in the dark pan film negs as contact prints tonight and they came out fine. I expect to be setting up a new darkroom space by the new year and these bulbs spaced around the room ought to be dim enough to avoid fogging but also not have inky dark spots around the room.

Followup...

Duh, I guess it would have been helpful to mention the size film I'll be processing: 8x10.

Andrew - yeah, I figured I'd try both methods--hangers and trays. I assume with the "tray method" that you process 1 sheet at a time? That would make sense, especially with double-sided film. That seems to be the one drawback to processing in trays; can only process a single sheet at a time. I used to process regular 8x10 film in trays via the shuffle method, but found I got uneven development. In the mid-1990's I bought a Jobo and have been using that for sheet film ever since. I suppose I could process the Ektascan in the Jobo since it's single-sided, but I've just started playing around with DBI. Anyway, I'll probably wind up making a few tanks myself.

Thanks, again!

If you keep an eye out you may be able to find some one gallon stainless steel tanks. I use them for my 8 x 10 negatives. So far all of my ULF work is in trays one at a time. Lately I've been using my Efke 25 on a recent trip but I do have some X-ray film waiting for me. I should get to it today and post some prints soon.

I use three of Vinny's tanks. Each holds 6 hangers, and 5 quarts of developer. You can find his posts here, or http://www.vinnywalsh.com/#!products/c2jd

Part of the trick with hangers is to only use Kodak hangers--they don't touch the face of the film around the edge, where others will stick right to about 5mm of margin. And minimal agitation.