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

[Tin Can]

A rusting Karmann Ghia, sad, they all rusted!

Yes. X-Ray does scan well even with underexposure

Cool Vanity plate KG 1972, which is correct date

I had 2 of them

Yes, experimenting can be rather surprising. This was one of my early, if not first attempt at using Xray film. I had use a split dark-slide with 8X10 to make 2 4X10 images on a sheet, and when I processed the film I was quite disappointed at how under exposed the negatives were, so I didn't even bother finishing the wash, just threw it in the trash. Next morning I happened to glance at it and could barely make out the image, so for the heck of it I washed it and hung it to dry - scanned the next day.

[Randy]

Is refrigerating a new, unopened box of Xray film in anyway detrimental to the emulsion - and / or - will refrigeration help preserve the unexposed film, as it does with normal panchromatic camera film?

Just trying to decide on the best way to store the box that was delivered today, since it may be a couple years before I get to it.

[Tin Can]

Most boxes of X-Ray are tightly sealed with black plastic, waterproof until opened

On the box there are usually symbols for temp range

I refrigerate unopened film of all kinds, I don't freeze and once opened none of it goes back in refrigerator. I never refreeze open film as I know it gets ruined, as i have found frozen unsealed film in large quantities to be total crap

Is refrigerating a new, unopened box of Xray film in anyway detrimental to the emulsion - and / or - will refrigeration help preserve the unexposed film, as it does with normal panchromatic camera film?

Just trying to decide on the best way to store the box that was delivered today, since it may be a couple years before I get to it.

[Randy]

On the box there are usually symbols for temp range

The back of the box has a thermometer indicating 50°-77° F - should I assume that is for storage, use, or both? I just don't want to pull it out of the fridge in a couple years only to discover that 35° F is detrimental to the emulsion of Xray films.

I googled and the 1st result was for Carestream film - "store 50-75 F."
Another result said "It is possible to refrigerate films for additional protection..."

Beyond that, there isn't much info...?

[Tin Can]

Why not just do as the box says, keep it in HVAC home, no refrigeration

I now Have X-Ray I bought 10 years ago, never in a fridge as its too big a box, 14X36" film size, I use it very slowly

Some here buy only out of date X-Ray and Real film as it works fine

I believe freezing and refreezing open film is insane

Meat doesn't like that either and ruins the meat

[Randy]

Rats! I don't know any more - now - than I did - then...

[seezee]

Is refrigerating a new, unopened box of Xray film in anyway detrimental to the emulsion - and / or - will refrigeration help preserve the unexposed film, as it does with normal panchromatic camera film?

Just trying to decide on the best way to store the box that was delivered today, since it may be a couple years before I get to it.

FWIW, I store mine in the freezer, factory-sealed, until I'm ready to use it. Once I open it I store it at room temperature.

Haven't had any problems so far.

[Randy]

FWIW, I store mine in the freezer, factory-sealed, until I'm ready to use it. Once I open it I store it at room temperature.

Haven't had any problems so far.

Thank you - that is worth a lot.

[Tin Can]

Freezers vary from Frost Free to Manual Defrost

New imports often fail

GE® 5.0 Cu. Ft. Manual Defrost Chest Freezer

[Andrew O'Neill]

14x17 Pinhole; Double-sided green latitude. Developed in D-23 1+3

1417 Pinhole Test Shot by Andrew O'Neill, on Flickr