I was looking at a few ideas (that are likely wrong) on taming the contrast and development speed for X Ray film that haven't been addressed anywhere I can find, and wanted to kick this out there.
1. Can dropping the temperature of the solution be a useful strategy? Using Rodinal at high dilution somewhere around 18 degrees C might slow down development enough to make it easier to get to desired density. This would require keeping all solution at a compatible temperature, but I'd find that a reasonable trade off.
2. How about a pre-soak with a restrainer prior to development?
I can't set up or use a wet darkroom now due to remodeling issues, or I'd be working on these.
X Ray FIlm Questions
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tim.bowman
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Re: X Ray FIlm Questions
I haven't shot any xray film, but I've shot a lot of paper negatives and litho film. I believe the density problem is similar.
I'd look to more dilution on the developer before I'd start trying fiddly stuff like cold or restrainers.
For litho film, I'm using a developer (Bill Troop's TDLC-103) that's only got 0.5g/L of metol. It's really weak. And it works great. I bet a dilute Rodinal (1+100 or weaker) would head in the right direction for your xray film.
I'd look to more dilution on the developer before I'd start trying fiddly stuff like cold or restrainers.
For litho film, I'm using a developer (Bill Troop's TDLC-103) that's only got 0.5g/L of metol. It's really weak. And it works great. I bet a dilute Rodinal (1+100 or weaker) would head in the right direction for your xray film.