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

[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.

[Jim Noel]

And...some results! Well, I cheated though. I recently purchased a 200mm and 250mm Imagon set and I put the 200mm in a Copal 3 shutter I have here collecting dust. Works on the 5x7 and soft focus is nice, but noticeably wider than the Verito, which I needed for group shots. I should've switch to the Verito for this image, but my friend wanted to take a photo of my wife and I dressed up for the occasion, so I just used what was on the camera at the time as I had only about a minute to set this up and show her how to trigger the shutter.

Cropped square though - 5x7 Eastman #2, 200mm Imagon, on Carestream x-ray film:

Which softening adapter did you use for this?