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

[StoneNYC]

Thanks Peter and Corran, Peter, that sounds like the most perfectionist way to do things, however I don't know that it's exactly quick to do, that would take me at least a whole day to do, and I don't own a densometer (nor can I figure out how to spell it right so that spell check agrees). I go by the general look of the density of the negative, this has served me well all along. My "testing" is usually done by shooting, and not by performing a lot of tests, even "bad" exposures are usable they just take a little more effort to print, so I find doing lab tests to be time consuming, don't hurt me, I know they are the most accurate way to do things, but I also need to make sure not to deviate too far from my current working habits or that throws everything off as I'm changing too many variables at once. If I can't find an acceptable negative in my next attempt then I'll try out Peter's system, I know it totally makes sense, but again, this would take me a whole day, I work out of my kitchen so the setup and cleanup and developing and processing, I don't have a lot of days to set aside to developing work that I'll never use. YMMV (obviously), but I value the suggestions.

[Peter De Smidt]

It's not my system. The whole point is to eliminate variables and simplify getting to good exposure and development. Having that well in hand would save you a lot of time, money, frustration and lost opportunities in the long run. There have to be a number of people near you that have densitometers. Any pro film lab will have one. In addition there have to be a bunch of people here who would help you, including some that live in your area, but if that's not available, send the film to me, and I'll take readings for you.

[StoneNYC]

It's not my system. The whole point is to eliminate variables and simplify getting to good exposure and development. Having that well in hand would save you a lot of time, money, frustration and lost opportunities in the long run. There have to be a number of people near you that have densitometers. Any pro film lab will have one. In addition there have to be a bunch of people here who would help you, including some that live in your area, but if that's not available, send the film to me, and I'll take readings for you.

Yes, there are a few in boston if I want to drive about 3 hours (one way) and some in NYC if I want to fight traffic for 2-3 hours (one way) and then if they don't want money for the borrowing.

There's a few LF'er's in the state (somewhere) but they all meet in Massachusetts, and I haven't joined that LF New England group yet. There's no one within a 1 hour drive that I know of, so again, it's a little far to go, we'll see where I get with the next batch.

[Andrew O'Neill]

Thank you! Are you referring to my carbon transfer video?

[premortho]

Personally, I've only done one of those film tests in my life. About 50 years ago, when ortho film became hard to get (it's easier now than it has been for 50 years!). With ortho film I did then and still develop under a red safelight in trays. It takes a few shots to learn when to pull it out of the developer, but you get a feel for that soon enough. I am so used to doing that, Stone, that I forgot to mention it earlier. As to filters, a 2X is about a medium yellow. The yellow filter holds back the uv, violet and sky blue part of the spectrum. For me it gives (allows) more exposure of the shadows without blowing out the highlights as easily.

Yes, there are a few in boston if I want to drive about 3 hours (one way) and some in NYC if I want to fight traffic for 2-3 hours (one way) and then if they don't want money for the borrowing.

There's a few LF'er's in the state (somewhere) but they all meet in Massachusetts, and I haven't joined that LF New England group yet. There's no one within a 1 hour drive that I know of, so again, it's a little far to go, we'll see where I get with the next batch.

[StoneNYC]

Thanks!

Yes I've actually done ortho developing in trays before and can pull the film when needed, just like print paper, I'm working on a small project now with that.

Thanks.

Personally, I've only done one of those film tests in my life. About 50 years ago, when ortho film became hard to get (it's easier now than it has been for 50 years!). With ortho film I did then and still develop under a red safelight in trays. It takes a few shots to learn when to pull it out of the developer, but you get a feel for that soon enough. I am so used to doing that, Stone, that I forgot to mention it earlier. As to filters, a 2X is about a medium yellow. The yellow filter holds back the uv, violet and sky blue part of the spectrum. For me it gives (allows) more exposure of the shadows without blowing out the highlights as easily.

[andrewch59]

Andrew, yes, you make it look easy, I haven't tried it yet, but it is on my bucket list

[stiganas]

For anyone who might be interested.

The 18x24 xray film goes perfect, without trimming in the 18x24 holders.

Nice Carbon Transfer Video, I start dreaming (and searching for chemicals) about it.

I am from Romania, here (as I suppose all over Europe) the easily available sizes are only metric:
13x18, 18x24cm and so on.

My question is:

it will go in 18x24 holder without trimming ?

[towolf]

Somehow I can’t stop using this decades old grunge stock. It’s so blue the skin of his dark complexion barely registers.

[premortho]

I think that is a great portrait!

Somehow I can’t stop using this decades old grunge stock. It’s so blue the skin of his dark complexion barely registers.