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

[Daniel Unkefer]

Wild Apple Tree Maki II HRU Handheld 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Handheld HRU 6.5cmx9cm XRay photography. Plaubel Makina II with Plaubel Makina Yellow Filter 1/50 at F6.0 Exposure determined by guess and experience so far. Replenished Legacy Mic-X 12 minutes at ambient. Neg is overexposed which is not right but very promising as I will decrease exposure by one and two stops next time. Also will reduce developing time to eight minutes which is more like it but this is working OK so far. Arista #2 8x10 Print Omega Dii Diffusion head laser aligned. Multigrade dev

[ericantonio]

HRU Fixing Step Dental Clips 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr

I've decided to use these Dental Clips I bought on Ebay, to hold down two sheets in the Cesco flat bottomed trays, and keep them off the bottom, and keeping them from moving around (which scratches!)

Here two sheets are in the TD4 Fix

HRU Wash Step Dental Clips 2 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Here the two sheets are moving into the wash tray. This has caused a lot of grief, if a sheet touches ANYTHING it is scratched with HRU.

The sheets are well distanced, off the bottom, and can get a decent wash with getting scratched.

HRU Dry Step Dental Clips 3 by Nokton48, on Flickr

When I go to the dry step, I move both clips to opposite ends. So the water can drain off properly.

I have made three runs this way, with only one scratch (my fault).

Getting perfect sheets with HRU no defects is not an easy matter. So far I can see no reason to continue tray processing in thos way

I love your process. I just ordered 8x10 HR-U. I do all my 8x10 ONE-AT-A-TIME to get absolutely zero scratches. I know I can probably do 2 at a time with regular film, but not worth it for me after taking so long per shot only for that 1 little tiny mistake. What if you get 5x7 trays and put 1 sheet in each? Just a thought, cause I do that with 8x10. Sure it takes me all day to do a batch of 8x10's but covid days...I have plenty of time.

[David Schaller]

I tried doing 2 sheets of 8x10 single sided x-ray film together in a smooth-bottomed tray-- and got scratches. I commonly do two sheets of regular 8x10 film together, without problems.

[ericantonio]

I tried doing 2 sheets of 8x10 single sided x-ray film together in a smooth-bottomed tray-- and got scratches. I commonly do two sheets of regular 8x10 film together, without problems.

Totally understandable. I figure I have plenty of times these days, I don't need to rush. It's kinda nice to sit in a darkroom for a while doing trays. I used to do it for a living! 8+ hours in a film room. It was zen and peaceful...

[jmdavis]

One sheet at a time of single sided Fuji works great emulsion up in an SP-810 tray. I would assume that it would work equally well in any smooth bottom tray.

[ericantonio]

One sheet at a time of single sided Fuji works great emulsion up in an SP-810 tray. I would assume that it would work equally well in any smooth bottom tray.

OHhh, I am eyeing one of those. This is good to know. I couldn't find a smooth bottom tray from B&H and my local pro store.

[Tin Can]

Some put a piece of glass or plastic in any tray

OHhh, I am eyeing one of those. This is good to know. I couldn't find a smooth bottom tray from B&H and my local pro store.

[jmdavis]

With the single side, I would think any tray would work for single side. The SP-810 has a textured bottom. But others have much more experience with X-ray.

[ericantonio]

Some put a piece of glass or plastic in any tray

I've heard of that. I'm actually gonna do some 4wheeling right now and taking my 4x5. Stopping at Home Depot to get 8x10 and 11x14 plexi. I figure I can use the 11x14 to tape an 8x10 xray so I can strip the one side of it.

[Daniel Unkefer]

Cesco flat bottomed trays are available from 5x7 to really big sizes (and specialties) through B&H and also Freestyle. Recently I bought all my 8x10 Cescos from B&H and I am thinking now about some bigger ones.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ping_Tray.html