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

[Sam L]

Thanks Barry! I'll test out 660nm LEDs. A brighter safelight would really make working with the film easier.

[Philippe Grunchec]

Hi Philippe,
You can find here:

https://www.ebay.fr/itm/HRU-810-FUJI...wAAOxyi3FR5s7I

It's not so expensive when you compared with panchromatic films ...

Merci, Philippe, j'ai interrogé le vendeur à propos des frais de port qui coûtent plus cher que les films eux-mêmes : je voulais commander 5 boîtes etme demandais quel serait le prix d'envoi. Pas de réponse...

[Paul Kinzer]

Thanks, Barry and sebeluc, for the tips!

Barry: at the LED link, I see they do not include the actual dimmer. Can you tell me what you use? It's great to have a recommendation based on actual use; there are so many choices out there!

sebulec: Yes, I've read about how easy it is to scratch. X-ray film is really cheap, as long as we can still get it. Still, because it is getting harder to come by, I'd rather not waste it. I see a deal on 8x10, 100 sheets for $35. I can get two 5x7 sheets out of one 8x10, so that's less than 20 cents a sheet. I won't feel too bad about practicing at that price. And, of course, chemicals will cost much less at that size, too.

[David Schaller]

8x10 Ektascan B/RA in Pyrocat HD 1:1:200 7 minutes, bellows extension factor x5.75, 3 stops reciprocity correction.

[bnxvs]

Carestream retina SOE in POTA developer.

[Sam L]

Paul, keep in mind that the corners of the X-ray are curved. I like to slice them off when cutting down the negative to size. I'm not sure if that will affect your calculations, but you might lose a half inch on two opposing sides.

[seezee]

1. What is a good safelight to use with Fuji x-ray film? I read this whole thread, but that was nearly a year ago. I've tired searching, but am not succeeding in finding anything very helpful. A pointer to a thread, or actual suggestions would be great.

2. How difficult is it to cut x-ray film down? I am not seeing any 5x7 film for sale anywhere, but see good deals on other sizes. I could get 2 sheets out of one 8x10. Is this something others have done with success? Any suggestions for a specific cutter to use?

Get 2 of these bulbs and the socket adapter. Put them in a cheap clamp-on work light with reflector and point it at a white wall or ceiling.

https://www.superbrightleds.com/more.../attributes/13

https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...ter/2327/5670/

https://smile.amazon.com/Woods-Clamp...5285768&sr=8-3

For trimming your film to size, this:

https://smile.amazon.com/Dahle-Autom...5285918&sr=8-7

Use white adhesive labels from a label maker (e.g., Dymo) or white tape to mark your trim sizes on the paper trimmer. Lay down a clean, lint-free cloth under your cutting area so the film doesn't get scratched as it drops off the edge of the trimmer.

[Tin Can]

As SeeZee wrote the Dahle cutters work gently and exactly

It has a soft rubber holder-downer that doesn't scratch film by not letting it slide

I have 2 for cutting film ONLY

[Paul Kinzer]

Thanks so much for the recommendations on lighting and cutters!

[Sam L]

Hey Paul & seezee, just so you know I have found those superbright LEDs to be unsafe for x-ray film unless they are very distant from the work area. I'm using them now bounced off the rear wall of the room (about 18' total travel back to the film), but they will turn the film jet black (not just a little fog) when exposed at 4 feet to the light from a single bulb. I believe they are safe for paper.

I'm going to try the longer wavelength 660nm bulbs recommended in this thread and report back.