Manual Film Processing

Clifford R. Berry, DVMAdjunct Associate Professor, University of Tennessee

Veterinary Specialists Center, Maitland, FL

ACVR Artifacts

Manual Film Processing

Manual film processing involves dipping the exposed film into tanks of developer, fixer and wash.

The chemical are held in stainless steel tanks.

The water should be running and draining.

Temperature of developer and fixer must be known for adequate development.

Manual film processing

Developer Fixer

Developer

Chemical must be stirred before submerging the film into the chemicals or there will be heterogeneous development of the film.

Stirrers should be kept separate.

Developer

Time-Temperature technique.

680F = 5 minutes.

A mechanical timer with a bell is used to time the duration of development and fixing since the room will be dark

Film Hanging

The films are placed on hangers to hold the films within the tank.

Metal clips poke through the film in order to hold onto the film.

Be sure that films are not touching.

If developing multiple films, beware of safety light fog.

Manual Film Processing

The edges of the film will be punctured by the hanger and can be used to identify manual processed films.

Film corners may be cut.

Seen on all four corners.

Manual Film Processing

The films can be air dried

Dryers are available to speed the process of drying films

Manual film processing

Tanks should be covered when not in use to prevent the developer from oxidizing.

Chemical should be replaced on a regular basis.

Film Too Light

Underdeveloped

Exhausted Chemistry

Underexposed

Manual Film Processing

Exhausted DeveloperDeveloper time has to

increase to due oxidized developer and with prolonged contact with the developer chemical all crystals (exposed and unexposed) are reduced results in poor contrast.

Common Artifacts Associated with Film Processing

Low fixer level

The entire film was developed but the top portion was not fixed or cleared.

Chemistry Levels Uneven/Low

Low developer and fixer level

The top of the film was never fixed or developed

Low developer and

Fixer (higher level than developer)

The green strip at the top is the portion of the film not developed or fixed

Chemistry Levels Uneven/Low

Development - Kiss Artifact

Cleared emulsion on reflected light.

Matching radiograph to accompany

Fixer - Kiss Artifact

Developed but emulsion not

cleared so “milky” or colored

appearance (sheen) still

present at place where two films where in contact within the fixer.

Emulsion Wrinkle/Peel

Emulsion wet enough that peels away

from the film base.

Emulsion Peel

Lack of Wash - Fixer Oxidation

Formation of Silver Sulfide

Debunking Solarization

Solarization -

Process for making copy films by overexposure such that a reversal of optical densities are produced when exposed to light.

Rebromination hypothesis considered likely explanation at this time.

Optical reversal occurs after prolonged exposure of the film so that there is a reversal of the H & D curve.

Correct manual processing artifact = Sabatier Effect

Sabatier Effect

White light exposure of the radiograph while in the developer (manual processing).

Results in the silver grains in the areas that are “white” non-exposed becoming developed to Dmax. The partially developed areas are less affected by the light exposure.

Creates characteristic lines of demarcation called “Mackie lines.”

Sabatier Effect

Incomplete fixation

Colored FilmPink – on view boxGreenish with reflected lightDue to exhausted fixer, incomplete fixation or insufficient

rinsing

Non Stirred Developer

Developer - Specific Gravity Effects

Developer Specific Gravity will cause the “strongest”,

non oxidized developer to settle to the bottom of the

developer tank.

Sight Development

Cathedral Effect

Film Fog - Safety Light

Manually processed.

Light leak or inappropriate safe light in dark room.

Note the shadow (minus density) created by the

film hanger.