Re: Use of X-ray film: technical discussion with example images
Dave, that looks a lot better for sure! You may still have some irregular/uneven development going on there. If you have any on hand, try xtol or another low-pH developer; I find that makes it easier to get perfectly even development. Pyrocat can be a little tricky with xray film in this respect, I find.
Re: Use of X-ray film: technical discussion with example images
Thanks Koraks, I will keep that in mind. I’m trying to work this out with Pyrocat because I’ve settled on that developer for my other films.
Re: Use of X-ray film: technical discussion with example images
Please let us know your results. :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Peter De Smidt
Looking good! I stopped using it because I got some unusable 8x10 negatives, and my 8x10 photography time is valuable. I'll give it another go.
Re: Use of X-ray film: technical discussion with example images
Quote:
Originally Posted by
David Schaller
Thanks Koraks, I will keep that in mind. I’m trying to work this out with Pyrocat because I’ve settled on that developer for my other films.
Very understandable. Agitation is key, in my experience. Too much and you get thick edges, too little and you get cloudy density variations. How do you currently agitate?
Re: Use of X-ray film: technical discussion with example images
I had a helluva time when first trying Kodak Ektascan and Pyrocat HD. I was using a Paterson Orbital processor and got streaky marks of differing density following the pattern of agitation. Double-sided Agfa film worked fine. I then tried it in a drum, hand rolling and it seems to works fine like that with even density.
Re: Use of X-ray film: technical discussion with example images
Quote:
Originally Posted by
koraks
Very understandable. Agitation is key, in my experience. Too much and you get thick edges, too little and you get cloudy density variations. How do you currently agitate?
I usually process 8x10 in Patterson trays tha are just slightly larger than the negative. With the x-ray film I’ve moved up to 11x14 flat bottom Cescolite trays, so the volume of liquid is twice as large. I agitate for the first minute constantly, then on each minute by lifting the bottom of the tray x3, and the side of the tray x3. It ends up being 10-15 seconds per minute. I aim to get things moving, but it is gentle.
Re: Use of X-ray film: technical discussion with example images
Try two agitation routines per minute and aim for as random fluid movement as possible.
Re: Use of X-ray film: technical discussion with example images
Thanks. I think it’s pretty random already with the 11x14 tray, but I’ll try agitating on the 30 second mark. I’ve got to shoot again....
Re: Use of X-ray film: technical discussion with example images
You can use paper developer too if you don't want to stock multiple film developers.. I've successfully used weak dektol and dektol-pyrocathdc blends.
Re: Use of X-ray film: technical discussion with example images
Thanks Jason. I’m going to keep experimenting with Pyrocat, and different dilutions and agitation schemes, for a while, then Dektol, D-23, or Rodinal might be next.