Noise in D- and E-speed radiographic film

The purpose of this investigation was to compare image noise in D- and E-speed radiographic film and to establish a basis for choosing a particular speed of film for study of trabecular changes in alveolar bone. Eleven D-speed and 11 E-speed radiographs were made at varying exposures and developed along with unexposed film of each type to produce uniform optical densities that range from approximately 0.05 to 2.5. Profiles (scan lines) were made of each film at a spatial resolution of 0.02 mm. Noise was quantified for each profile using three measures: the standard deviation of the profile pixel intensity, I(x), about the mean, I(x); the coefficient of variation of I(x) about I(x); and Wiener spectral analysis. Results indicate that the average magnitude of noise for D- and E-speed film over this range of optical densities exceeds 4% and 6%, respectively; the average noise content of E-speed film was 25% to 35% greater than D-speed; and noise energy of both films is concentrated at low spatial frequencies and low optical densities.