50 Tips Manual Processing

Film storage
1 First of all, storage facilities for unexposed X-ray films should provide
adequate protection from any penetrating radiation. If the films are stored
for longer than 3 months, background radiation should not exceed
90 nGy/h (18 x 10-10 C/Kg/h). Films in containers sealed by the manufacturer
should be stored with the films on edge, whenever possible.
Storage temperature shouldbe between 4°C (40°F) and 24°C (75°F) at a
relative humidity range of 30 to 60 %.
2 If STRUCTURIX films are handled and stored in accordance with the
directions given above, Agfa guarantees their good quality at least until
the expiry date on the box.
Storage of film should be on a first-in first-out basis.
General tip
Always work in a calm,
methodical way, in order to save
time in theend.
Haste makes waste!
The darkroom
3 The darkroom must always be completely light-tight. Particular attention
shall be given to the entrance (revolving door or labyrinth) to prevent light
leakage and excessive intrusion of dust and sand.
4 Although a relatively high safelight illumination intensity is possible when
handling STRUCTURIX films, adequate filters should be used.
RecommendedAGFA filters are R1 (orange-red) and G7 (green) in direct or
preferably, indirect lighting. In any case of doubt on the safety of the
lighting conditions, an evaluation should be done according to ISO 8374 or
according to any other code of good workmanship. A simple test with an
object on a sheet of film for five minutes under the safelight will already
give a good indication.
10 2 1
3
9 8 76 5 4
3 2
1
4 5 6 7 8 9
Dry section
Wet section
Dry section
Wet section
A. Example of a large,
multi operator darkroom.
B. Example of a small,
single operator darkroom.
1. Table
2. Cassette lock
3. Labyrinth entrance (fig. A)
Revolving door entrance (fig. B)
4. Developer bath
5. Rinsing bath
6. Fixer bath
7. Final rinsing
(underwater lock in fig. A)
8. Wetting bath
9. Dryingcabinet
10. Lightbox
5 Place the safelight sufficiently high above the workbench and the tanks
(minimum 60 to 70 cm) in order to avoid interference with the film handling.
6 Keep the wet and dry sections of the darkroom well separated.
7 Avoid too high humidity and temperature with an adequate ventilation of
the darkroom. 10 air changes an hour is advisable.
8 Keep the darkroom as clean aspossible. Dust between films and screens
can cause white artefacts on the image. This applies in particular to
fluorescent screens (see tip 50).
9 It is advisable to prepare photochemical solutions outside the darkroom to
prevent contamination of the dry section.
Dry section
10 Keep the worktable completely dry (see tip 6).
11 Handle the lead screens carefully when reusing them.
Creasesin the screens cause lines on the X-ray image.
12 Always hold the films between thumb and index finger only (never with
three or more fingers), in order to avoid creases.
Holding the film with thumb and index finger,
attach it to one of the clips in the frame.
Attach it to the second clip holding the film
tight between the thumb and index finger
13 Never bring the hangers above theworkbench:
a drip from one of the corners of the frame could fall on a lead screen
or the workbench and then become transferred to a film causing a
spurious result.
14 Use solid frames made of stainless steel. They must be perfectly square,
in order to keep the films correctly tensioned.
15 Broken frames must be repaired (welded) by a qualified expert:
unsuitable welding alloys (copper or similar)may contaminate the
developer, causing black artefacts on the film.
16 Always remove the film from the hangers development frames with
dry hands to avoid moisture spots on films or screens.
17 Keep hangers with clips vertical thus making it easier to tension the film
correctly. Films that are not correctly tensioned may stick to each other
in the processing tanks or in the dryer cabinet
18...