Comparing X-Ray Double-Sided Film & HP5-Plus

[Andrew O'Neill]

I've been using xray films now since 2008. I took some double-sided green along with me on a shoot a couple weeks ago, and made a video of it. I compare side by side shots with 8x10 panchromatic film, HP5 (my main LF film).
Cheers!

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

In case you are wondering who the two buddies were who joined me later that morning, it was braxus (Scott) and Matt King. We are planning another shoot there in the very near future, so if anyone in the Lower Mainland wants to meet up with us, shoot me a PM!

 

[Freediver]

How much experimenting did it take to get the X-ray dev down? I don’t have a good place to tray develop and typically use a jobo… but I’m thinking “by inspection” looks like the at to go.

 

[Jay Schrotenboer]

I definitely agree that the X-ray film was less sharp, but that softness would be quite nice in a portrait. You are almost making me wish I lived in Canada, almost.

 

[DWThomas]

Impressive results -- and another nicely done video. I've shot a fair amount of 8x10 green X-ray film with pinhole, which I've managed to dial in fairly well. The "entry cost" to shoot HP5 or similar is a bit intimidating!

 

[MattKing]

I guaranty that Andrew was there later in the morning
In amongst the trees of course:
(T-Max 100 in a Noons 6x12 pinhole set for 6x9 - for 30 seconds!)

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

How much experimenting did it take to get the X-ray dev down? I don’t have a good place to tray develop and typically use a jobo… but I’m thinking “by inspection” looks like the at to go.

When I first started with Xray (same stuff in the video), I developed it in Pyrocat-HD 1+1+200 (normally I use it at 1+1+50). It took me a few sheets to nail effective IE, and a normal development time at that dilution. Then a few more sheets to get times for high/low contrast scenes. I wouldn't recommend double-sided xray film in a Jobo (I use BTZS tubes for conventional films). The side touching the walls inside the tank would not get much developer, ending up mottled and probably scratch/scuffed. Some people strip the unsharp side of the film after development. I have tried this but don't appreciate the fact that you end up with a sheet of film with exactly half initial density range. I recommend getting your hands on single-sided xray, like Kodak Ektascan B/RA. I have a box of it and boy, is it sharp! It's nice is D-23 1+3 (EI 80). It is nice to be able to develop by inspection! Cheers!

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I definitely agree that the X-ray film was less sharp, but that softness would be quite nice in a portrait. You are almost making me wish I lived in Canada, almost.

This double-sided stuff is definitely ideal for portraits! Have you tried any of the single-sided stuff? Ektascan B/RA is really sharp. I developed some in Obsidian Aqua, using geometric agitation and yikes! Too sharp for my likeness...

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Impressive results -- and another nicely done video. I've shot a fair amount of 8x10 green X-ray film with pinhole, which I've managed to dial in fairly well. The "entry cost" to shoot HP5 or similar is a bit intimidating!

Thanks, Thomas! I have shot 8x10 and 14x17 pinholes with the green X-ray. I believe I posted the 14x17 in the gallery. It was impressively sharp. I just cannot afford 8x10 HP5 anymore. Once my very small stash is used up, it'll just be 4x5 from now on....oh, and that box of 14x17 X-ray has to get some attention! I've been shooting a lot of medium format film over the past couple of years. I can see that that is where I'm going to end up one day...right back where I started. Medium format.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I guaranty that Andrew was there later in the morning
In amongst the trees of course:
(T-Max 100 in a Noons 6x12 pinhole set for 6x9 - for 30 seconds!)
View attachment 299989

That is such a nice photograph, Matt... of my tree. I stood perfectly still. Didn't even blink! I would love to see a print, if you get around to making one! That little pinhole camera of yours does a nice job.

 

[MattKing]

A print is on my to do list. It will be interesting to see how well it comes out without the digital version of unsharp masking.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

A print is on my to do list. It will be interesting to see how well it comes out without the digital version of unsharp masking.

Ooh... you'll have to make a real unsharp mask for it!

 

[MattKing]

Ooh... you'll have to make a real unsharp mask for it!

In my present setup, that isn't going to work.
Perhaps when the Darkroom Group is back to in-person meetings.
A 6x9 negative is at least do-able for that.

 

[Freediver]

When I first started with Xray (same stuff in the video), I developed it in Pyrocat-HD 1+1+200 (normally I use it at 1+1+50). It took me a few sheets to nail effective IE, and a normal development time at that dilution. Then a few more sheets to get times for high/low contrast scenes. I wouldn't recommend double-sided xray film in a Jobo (I use BTZS tubes for conventional films). The side touching the walls inside the tank would not get much developer, ending up mottled and probably scratch/scuffed. Some people strip the unsharp side of the film after development. I have tried this but don't appreciate the fact that you end up with a sheet of film with exactly half initial density range. I recommend getting your hands on single-sided xray, like Kodak Ektascan B/RA. I have a box of it and boy, is it sharp! It's nice is D-23 1+3 (EI 80). It is nice to be able to develop by inspection! Cheers!

Thank you, yes I picked up quite a bit of Kodak commercial 4127 and have been told that I can treat it similarly to x-ray but as it’s single sided it should be easier to work with. I’ll just have to experiment as you mentioned to try and find a range that works.