Cheapest way to get into 8x10?

[Frank Petronio]

The cheapest way to get into 8x10 is to know somebody who got into 8x10 a few months earlier!

[Chris Strobel]

The cheapest way to get into 8x10 is to know somebody who got into 8x10 a few months earlier!

Lol! Funny Frank

[Jay Decker]

8x10... huh! Be careful, before you know it you'll have a 100 plus dollar a week film habit.

[venchka]

X-ray film. $30/100 sheets of 8x10. Perfect for learning and getting past Frank's "somebody who got into 8x10 a few months earlier!" Some people like the look of x-ray film and stay with it.
There you go. For under $100, way under probably, you can be making wonderfully "artsy" 8x10 pinhole x-ray film contact prints. And even more artsy 8x10 direct paper positves.
I wish I had thought of that. I wish I were doing that. Do you suppose.........

[Jay Decker]

X-ray film. $30/100 sheets of 8x10. Perfect for learning and getting past Frank's "somebody who got into 8x10 a few months earlier!" Some people like the look of x-ray film and stay with it.
There you go. For under $100, way under probably, you can be making wonderfully "artsy" 8x10 pinhole x-ray film contact prints. And even more artsy 8x10 direct paper positves.
I wish I had thought of that. I wish I were doing that. Do you suppose.........

Which X-ray film do you purchase, where do you buy it, and how do you determine the exposure?

[Robert Hughes]

I bought film from CXS a year or 2 ago; a box of 100 sheets (green sensitive orthochromatic) is currently selling for about $25. My guess is that the film speed is about ISO 100; start there and you'll get a usable image.

X-ray film has a couple tricks to it; it's 2 sided for one thing. Also, the emulsion is soft and easily scratched. But if you're careful in processing (I develop and fix in 1 gallon baggies filled with chemical) you can make it work without damage.

[Jim Ewins]

I have a B&F Monorail that I'd sell. It functions well, I don't. 5x7 & 4x5 backs, changing tent, film holders etc. email if you wish. jimewins