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

[Tin Can]

yes

The cheap 8x10 stuff fits in 8x10 film holders with no problem, not tape or anything, right?

[rdelung]

Hay Randy ( this is odd, seems like I'm talking to myself ) The v700 comes with a 8x10 holder right! Does it not work? Why do you go for the AN glass? Mine is still unboxed. Thanks, Rde.

[gdi]

Hi gdi, I'm venturing into uncharted waters with a newly purchase of a Epson V700 photo scanner. My scanning experience is very limited. Any advice you could pass along would be very helpful. I'm also new at useing x-ray
film in photography. Just getting my feet wet ( as they say ) I'm afraide that makeing an adapter back for my 4x5 field camera to use with a Nikon D3100 got me back into the game. So if you can help I would apprecieate it. Thanks, a Seattle member Rde

RDE, I am now in the market for a V700/750 since scanning in sections stinks! I have been laying the neg straight on the scanner glass and masking it with a 5x7 mask. If I was shooting 5x7, I would be set with my 4870 and BetterScanning mounting tray. But I want 8x10! I am also using Silverfast 8 Studio, I find it much easier to use than VueScan.

[gdi]

More work from this weekend shot at the Great Falls of the Potomac on 18x24 Fuji AD-M mammography film. I shot these at EI 3 (!) and developed for 4 minutes in 1:4:200 Pyrocat HD at 70 C in a Jobo rotary processor. It may be the very short developing time, but it looks like I'm seeing some uneven development on the last image. My last batch was developed for 5 minutes and I didn't see any issues, so that may be the limit for this concentration of Pyrocat. The negatives look good with nice tonality and density--I believe they'll print just fine on silver gelatin paper. I'll be moving on to some low contrast developers next--Pyrocat HD is workable, but I could use a little more speed and some longer developing times.

Very nice, but are those Newtons rings on the last shot?

[Tin Can]

I know it's odd, I so seldom meet another Randy!

The V700 8x10 gizmo is not a holder, but a simple plastic outline guide to show where to place your film. It may even not be necessary. However, I understand the V700 does different things with different size neg scans, 2 lenses? I just don't know enough to explain.

I do know I made matte for 5X7 as a guide and the V700 did not like that. It scanned black all over! I tried it white side and black side, mystery remains. So, as with 8X10 I just lay a 5x7 on top of AN glass.

I only use the V700 for 5x7 and 8x10, I have a 4490 I use for MF and 35mm and it seems to work better at that than the V700.

Many here consider the V700 insufficient and use higher quality drum scans on machines I have never seen.

I need to spend more time following the advice on this website, http://www.kenleegallery.com/html/tech/index.php

Hay Randy ( this is odd, seems like I'm talking to myself ) The v700 comes with a 8x10 holder right! Does it not work? Why do you go for the AN glass? Mine is still unboxed. Thanks, Rde.

[BarryS]

Very nice, but are those Newtons rings on the last shot?

Thanks--yes, these are quick scans for the web and I occasionally get Newton's rings depending on the emulsion. I'm generally contact printing or doing alt-process with anything over 4x5, so it hasn't been a major issue. It's still irritating and I need to figure out how to wet mount on my scanner if I start selling digital prints from big negs. My Artixscan M1 has a glassless system for everything up to 4x5, and my darkroom is set up for 4x5, so 8x10 negs are a bit of an issue.

[Tin Can]

You state you were in the real X-Ray biz. A couple questions.

Are used X-ray holders safe, as I see they have a lead layer? Do they become 'hot' after extended use?

Do X-ray holders open up to light like a photo holder to admit visible light?

I look at the eBay images of used holders and they seem to be designed with spring pressure plates that push the film against what?

Clear glass would be nice, but maybe it is an opaque material?

Any other tips on real X-Ray holders would be great.

I would love to buy the cheap radiological holders up to 14X17 and make a camera back to fit.

I have a copy camera waiting for the big time...

The next obvious questions concern medical style developing chems and methods.

Thanks,

Hi Randy Moe, I have admired your work, and advice. I've been in the X-Ray profession since 1975. But sadly I've been out of the photo. side for about 20 years. Marrage house, and kids can put a dent in one's past time. I did manage to go from a 4x8 darkroom to 10x12 with a bessler MX45. I got out of the chemical side when digital started. I did have the smarts to keep the Bessler though. Sadly my darkroom is now a Man Cave, but it works. Anyhow I'm back in the game now, and purchased a box of green 8x10. I shoot 4x5 and 8x10. Any how Randy its nice to meet you and, I can use my work related initials Rde if that helps. After all you were here first. I can adapt. Thanks for your input. Hopefully I can contribute to the Forum if possible. Seattle member....Rde ( aka: Randy DeLung )

[SergeiR]

8x10 Kodak CSG, Heliar (14 inch), 4:30m in 1+100 Rodinal + 2m in 1+600 (trying something here)


Scan-130512-0001www by Sergei Rodionov, on Flickr

[HT Finley]

The photo in post 944 above looks solarized or something.

[Tin Can]

I have noticed you keep reducing dev times.

Is it getting you where you want to go?

When I open to one of your images, it always makes me smile!


[QUOTE=SergeiR;1026159]8x10 Kodak CSG, Heliar (14 inch), 4:30m in 1+100 Rodinal + 2m in 1+600 (trying something here)