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

[Corran]

And, a group shot, same 200mm Imagon. Interesting how the light from the background window (which late in the day had become much brighter) wrapped around the foreground faces. I didn't mention this, but I had one hot-light for illumination on these.

[Tin Can]

Interesting and Brave

The pearls seem too normal

I also think you should try ULF X-Ray

[Corran]

200 sheets of 14x17 are waiting for me to use them...

Not enough time in the day!

[Corran]

Speaking of x-ray...I've tried on and off for a while to make positives using x-ray materials. Never quite worked right, but recently I had a brainstorm on what I was failing at doing before, so gave it another go:



Decent success! That is just a cell pic sitting on my light table. And this 5x7 film is of an unknown age and slightly fogged from what I can tell, so the blacks would be deeper if using fresh. I've always wanted to do simple positives for art shows - something so simple and cheap that I could demonstrate it easily, so this may evolve into that. Either way, it's a fun experiment that may prove useful later.

[koraks]

I had a brainstorm on what I was failing at doing before

The suspense is killing me!! Are you going to tell what key was?

I like that image. I see no blue tint..was this a clear base or did you digitally edit out the blue? I tried some positives (mostly for use as interpositives, really) on xray and it worked decently well, but evidently with a distinctly blue hue to them.

[James R. Kyle]

Jim...
This is GREAT Information.

Thank you.

;-))

[James R. Kyle]

Jim...
This is GREAT Information. On All of your Vids

Thank you.

;-))

[Andrew O'Neill]

I'm still trying to figure out who Jim is...

[Tin Can]

Blue Jim

Cheers

us

[Jim Noel]

Thanks very much for your suggestions (and for sharing your safelight idea). My first inclination is that the film is old (there was one batch where the emulsion peeled off as soon as it got wet). The chap who gave it to me did say that it had been sitting around the storage area for some time. Once I've got the laundry completely light tight I'll cut a sheet in darkness for the tank and then do some safelight tests. If the worst case turns out to be age related I'll be content and will work around it as I do with other expired film.

How old is old when it comes top X-ray or ortho film?
I've been using one or the other since I began LF photography about 1938. Much of the film I have used has been more than old, it's been ancient, 20+ years in some cases. When treated correctly, I've never had age fog on these films. I have had fog from incorrect safelights, and tiny light leaks or glowing paint or tape in the darkroom. Don't be careless with it. Treat it right and and it'll treat you right.