EFFECTS OF DEVELOPER EXHAUSTION ON KODAK EKTASPEED PLUS, EKTASPEED, AND ULTRA-SPEED DENTAL FILMS

In 1994, Eastman Kodak Co. (Rochester, N.Y.) replaced its Ektaspeed fi lm with the EKTASPEED Plus film. The manufacturer claims that one of t he advantages of the new film is that it is not strongly affected by e xhausted (depleted plus aged) processing solutions. The objective of t he experiment was to test this claim. In exhausted solutions, EKTASPEE D Plus film lost its speed more rapidly than Ultra-speed film but less rapidly than Ektaspeed film; that is, Ultra-speed film had the most s table speed. EKTASPEED Plus film lost contrast for 2 weeks before stab ilizing, whereas Ultra-speed and Ektaspeed films continued to lose con trast for 3 weeks. Overall, EKTASPEED Plus film held its contrast over the other two films. EKTASPEED Plus film stopped increasing its film latitude after 2 weeks, whereas Ultra-speed and Ektaspeed films contin ued to increase film latitudes. In conclusion, for the three films stu died, EKTASPEED Plus maintained the most constant levels of contrast a nd latitude in progressively exhausted solutions. All three films lost speed in exhausted solutions; EKTASPEED Plus film was the fastest but Ultra-speed film had the most stable speed.