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

[EdWorkman]

Hey K.P. very nice success

[WayneStevenson]

I've been mainly shooting High Speed Blue CXS.

HC-110b worked great for me in both tray, and rotary. Found Rodinal really easy to work using the times listed I think on page 1 of this discussion as well. Xtol and T-Max work good too. Heh. I think I mentioned Dektol working great too.

Doubt you'd find anything that doesn't work with this film so use what you usually use.

[joselsgil]

I have a newbie question about the X-ray film. I plan on using the half speed green film as my Betax no. 4 shutter is very slow.
This film is considered ortho, so can it be handled under red safelight conditions? Meaning, can it be loaded into the film holders under safelight or is it like a pan film that needs to be handled in total darkness?
I'm thinking that if it can be handled under red safelight, I might cut some 8X10 down to 5X7 and 4X5 and try it on my smaller camera backs.

Thanks for sharing your info, this thread has been very helpful.

Jose

Wooohooo, I just hit my 50th post and today (June 14th), is my 50th B-day. My brain still thinks I'm 13 years old, my body tells me another story.

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Jose, yes, you can load, un-load in the red light. Just be careful doing so. I think a lot of people scratch the negative during this process. Also, be careful trying to cut this down for the same reasons.

[Jim Fitzgerald]

So this thread was one that needed examples. Here is a recent shot. If you have been following this thread you already know what I shoot and how i develop. This is a carbon print.

[Michael Batchelor]

Also, just to make sure, you aren't judging the negative density without stripping off the back layer of emulsion are you?

I've been doing a few experiments with half speed blue film, and I've tried both stripping the emulsion off the back and leaving it on to increase density.

The biggest issue I have is that I scratch the back emulsion loading and unloading about 10% of the time.

But I haven't really done enough testing to know which I like better.

Does everyone here tend to strip the back emulsion? Or do some folks leave it in place?

Michael

[Tri Tran]

Why do extra work ? Xray film has some defective sheets once in a while...scratch, unsual coated marks but is minimal. They sure are passed the quality control .
My negative most of them came out flawless, I kept the air compressor next to my film loading station to clean all the holders before loading the film. Through out the process please remember wash your trays, filter your developer ! More handling = more scratches with Xray film .

[Jim Fitzgerald]

I agree with Tri on this. Also, the bigger you go as in 11x14 and 14x17 you have to be even more careful.

[K. Praslowicz]

I'm currently loading mine in a far too small changing bag and rotary
Processing. The back layer tends to be unevenly developed and looks like a cat went after it, so I'm much forced to strip. Once I move into my new apartment, tray processing and non-bag loading will be an option so maybe I won't have to anymore.

[nolindan]

i just found a chinese site that has 8x10 for .17 a sheet...minimum order 5000 sq.mtr!!!!

$16,469

96,875 sheets of film ...