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

[Glass Key Photo]

I am intrigued by the photos I am seeing here. Any good sources for X-Ray film?

[Mkillmer]

This is my favorite image from the first shoot I've done in 8x10. The film is Kodak Ektascan B/RA rated at 100 and processed on a Jobo in Rodinal 1:200 8' -the camera is a Toyo 810G and the lens is a Plaubel Anticomar 4.2/300 wide open.

Looks great- how do you process in the jobo and avoid scratches?

[skuuterboy]

The Kodak Ektascan is coated on one side only so I don't have any issues with processing the film in the Jobo.

[jon.oman]

I am intrigued by the photos I am seeing here. Any good sources for X-Ray film?

http://www.cxsonline.com/text/subcat...&location=1001

[plaubel]

Hello,

i will start xraying soon, since i have seen your amazing photographs here.

Normally, i use Xtol 1+2 for my negatives; may Xtol work with Xray, too?
Or have i to use R 09 for more sure results ?

Thanks,
Ritchie

[imagedowser]

Richie, Do it both ways and post your results, I'd be interested in seeing the difference. Were all flying blind with some of this.... Bill

[plaubel]

Hello, Bill,

"I'd be interested in seeing the difference"

I do believe, but i m not sure, if this is the answer i looked for :-)
But you re right, i have to figure out.
Xtol at first, because its here.
I will post my results then.

Thanks,
Ritchie

[EdWorkman]

Like I said, and I did try
I have a book about developers
LOTS of formulae
And with most, development time ranges are given for various classes of films, such as 'medium speed" etc etc.
So repeating my advice of previous posts, and reflecting my limited xray film experience
Try a film speed, I've said Plus X but there isn't any anymore, so I've said FP4 times as a starting point
Folks on here have reported EI 80-200 for various tries, close enough
[So for Xtol 1+2 - hmm I think one needs the original Kodak recommendations for more then 1+1 dilution, but I use 1:2 for my best compromise between time and economy]
Those kinds of start points should get you in the ball park, such that a coupla trials will get to a good result.
It's cheeeeeeeeep film and you can work under a safelight- worry about teeny fog effects after you have found your seat in the park
There really is not anything exotic in this stuff

[plaubel]

It's cheeeeeeeeep film and you can work under a safelight-
There really is not anything exotic in this stuff

Thank you, Ed,

this are obvisiously some nice advantages of the xray film.
I will start with some shots in different Iso and by changing development, i will see.
The more i shoot, the more i can learn about the "real" Iso and right development.
I really enjoy starting with this stuff.

Ritchie

[imagedowser]

Ritchie, Maybe this is closer to what your looking for..... Iridescent Light, The Art Of Stand Development By Michael Axel, available from Blurb. This is the best book I've seen (and own) on stand development, which very little has been posted about, involving xray film. One of Axel's favorite formulas, apparently, is comprised of a combination of xtol and rodinal..... 200 ml xtol, 800 ml distilled H2O, 3 ml Rodinal, 1/4 tsp Borax, 10gms Ascorbic acid (chemical, not vit C) this formula is for 3 hr stand. Increase Rodinal to 10ml for one hr and 5 ml for two hr stand keeping everything else the same. I would guess a rating of 100 for one hr, 200 for two hr and 300 for three hour stand.... since you'll be working under safelight, you can snatch earlier if it looks like your over developing.... I haven't done stand with xray yet so this isn't in stone.... if your interested in stand dev get the book, it's worth the read. It's an "eye opener". Best, Bill