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

[Tin Can]

Also Ektascan cut to 4x5. All negs I post today were batch developed 16 at once with gas burst Rodinol, 1/100, 10 minutes, 1 minutes tap water still stop, 5 minutes TF5 gas burst. 10 minute tap wash, all temps 70F.

This is Plastica. A very good sitter.

12 total negs shot of Plastica last night. This is the pearl set. 2 shot with 360mm Sironar-N Copal 3 shutter used, 1/30th at f8 and f16 equalized main light and 2 with 360mm Imagon both at H5.8 holes open, Packard shutter with sync only 1 stop light diff. Focus was on closest lower eyelid white paint. 3 more sets in a bit.

As scanned no PS, sized to LFPF 750 in Picasa.

[Tin Can]

This will be 2 posts. 6 images Imagon 360 with all 3 hole plates. 2 more Sironar 360mm. See if you can tell them apart. Not easy with small scans reduced to LFPF 750.

First 4. Before the pearls showed up. No PS.

[Tin Can]

And 4 more first 2 Imagon, second 2 Sironar.

[Tin Can]

I think they look really similar, but they are 2 different lenses, that use very different bellows extension. The Imagon needs about 3 more inches than a Sironar-N for the exact same proportion. The tripod and subject never moved, only rear standard. Lighting was bumped up and down for different apertures. The Sironar used a good Copal 3 at 1/30th for flash sync and the Packhard shutter sync on this setup I think matches well. That was a test goal.

While no Imagon pics were shot with holes closed, I did focus with them closed and changed focus set for each set of holes. Much sharper without holes and I can see the change of softness on GG when I switch.

And I think Ektascan is working well at ISO 50 with the PCB studio strobes.

Now where is that live model...

[Jim Noel]

Ektascan cut to 4x5 f22 30 seconds first as scanned then tweaked. First night shots ever. I looked at the negs and almost tossed them as they were so clear. But decided to scan anyway.

I meant to expose more at 1 to 5 stops longer, but it was dark, cold and in a very lonely place. I got nervous. I shot 2, the other is the same but f32 60 seconds. Almost point and shoot as I set up real fast, focused barely, forgot the cable release, so pushed shutter gently and counted.

edit, after looking at the images posted, they look the same here, but different on my monitor...

Attachment 146356Attachment 146357

I see a very slight difference in the shadows whichis all I would expect at these exposures.

[Tin Can]

I see a very slight difference in the shadows whichis all I would expect at these exposures.

Yes, next time I bracket widely.

First time.

[mdarnton]

Following up on a line from a couple of pages back, suggesting I should add some hydroquinone to my D23, I ran some film last night in D76 diluted 1:7 = 8. Twenty minutes at 70 degrees, and the result was a very nice, normal contrast neg, just a bit thinner than I like but with a very nice tonality like I usually get with Tri-X in D76 but not in D23 , so I will continue to test along that line.

I had always thought that the reason to throw away one-shot developers was because they would go bad, but my 1:7 D23 was lasting for months. So I think what I am going to do is mix up a batch of less dilute D76, maybe like 1:3 = 4, and try keeping it, with replenishment. I do want to spin out the development time a bit, but twenty minutes seems a bit much.

Randy, how's the gas working, anyway?

[Tin Can]

Following up on a line from a couple of page back, suggesting I should add some hydroquinone to my D23, I ran some film last night in D76 diluted 1:7 = 8. Twenty minutes at 70 degrees, and the result was a very nice, normal contrast neg, just a bit thinner than I like but with a very nice tonality like I usually get with Tri-X in D76 but not in D23 , so I will continue to test along that line.

I had always thought that the reason to throw away one-shot developers was because they would go bad, but my 1:7 D23 was lasting for months. So I think what I am going to do is mix up a batch of less dilute D76, maybe like 1:3 = 4, and try keeping it, with replenishment. I do want to spin out the development time a bit, but twenty minutes seems a bit much.

Randy, how's the gas working, anyway?

The gas is working perfectly. I am getting far more consistent results.

Next will be small round gas burst tanks for roll film.

Long term is big tanks for ULF for gas burst.

I find gas burst with light tight covers very relaxing.

[seezee]

edit, after looking at the images posted, they look the same here, but different on my monitor...

Attachment 146356Attachment 146357

2nd looks slightly darker to me.

[seezee]

Now where is that live model...

The way I started getting people to sit for me was to start a defined project with an end goal. In my case, it's portraits of Oklahoma musicians (past & present) shot on 4×5″ x-ray film. Once you get a few to sit for you they start telling their friends. I use social media to find more subjects.

I spent a lot of time being timid about actually getting live models over here. Lots of excuses to myself. "I need to nail down the lighting. I need a different lens. I need to improve my darkroom technique." It was time wasted. Just do it.

My point is, make a project for yourself and then go out an find the subjects you need for it — it's much easier than it sounds.