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

[Alan9940]

Just got a box of CSG Green Sensitive Carestream 8x10 x-ray film from zzmedical to try; I believe it's Kodak film, though nothing on the box indicates that. I've looked through this thread for EI suggestions, but haven't found anything related specifically to this film. I'm thinking an EI of 50 - 100 to start...what say you?

Many thanks!

[Tin Can]

It's Kodak. Start at 50 ISO.

[Alan9940]

It's Kodak. Start at 50 ISO.

Thanks, Randy.

[Andrew O'Neill]

Which developer will you use, Alan?

[Randy]

Looking at my notes I have used "CSX Green" - no idea if that is Carestream or not. I rated it at ISO 50, processed in Rodinal 1:200 for 6 minutes or 1:100 for 4 minutes (tray).

[Tin Can]

I have recently used Ilford PQ paper developer in trays on CSG and it is well cooked in 2 minutes.

[Alan9940]

Which developer will you use, Alan?

Probably the same ones I experimented with when shooting Ektascan: Rodinal, 510-Pyro, and Obsidian Aqua. I will process in BTZS tubes with the Rodinal and tanks/hangers for the staining developers. Generally, I've found the staining developers control the contrast better, but my only experience thus far is with the Ektascan material. But, some absolutely lovely images posted here using the green sensitive material has prompted me to give that a go.

[seezee]

Just got a box of CSG Green Sensitive Carestream 8x10 x-ray film from zzmedical to try; I believe it's Kodak film, though nothing on the box indicates that. I've looked through this thread for EI suggestions, but haven't found anything related specifically to this film. I'm thinking an EI of 50 - 100 to start...what say you?

Many thanks!

FYI, I've used Ektascan rated at ISO 80 and Carestream half-speed-blue (CSHB) at ISO 160 under studio strobes with good results. Semi-stand developed in 1:1:200 Pyrocat-HD using the HP-Combi tank (tray developed the Ektascan). YMMV.

[Alan9940]

OK, I wouldn't say my testing of CSG Green has gone very well. So far, I've only processed using tanks/hangers; Rodinal 1:100, though the contrast of the negative looked pretty good, was just too grainy for my taste, and 510-Pyro was on the thin side and somewhat under-developed. Also, had a couple scratches which is probably to be expected using tanks/hangers.

I'd like to try rotary processing this film next, but, to be honest, it baffles me a bit due to the dual-sided emulsion. If the one side is basically plastered against the wall of the tube/drum--I can use BTZS tubes or a Jobo Expert Drum--and doesn't see much, if any, chemistry what is that side going to look like? Or, does it not matter? Also, are there any other developers, besides Rodinal, that you have used to process this particular type of film using rotary processing? Time/temp/dilution?

Thanks for any insight provided.

[Corran]

8x10 BTZS tubes will scratch the backside of the film like crazy - you'll have to strip that side to get rid of the scratches if you use the tubes. The BTZS tubes in 8x10 size don't make the film flush against the sides, but the 4x5 size does. Not sure about any Jobo drums as I don't have/use them. X-ray film is definitely grainier in general, but is not noticeable usually IMO. I printed an 8x10 scanned negative to 32x24 and you could practically use a magnifying glass and not see any grain. That's as big as I could print, which admittedly is only about 3x.