Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for aligning the center of an X-ray beam with both a reference point on a patient and the center of the X-ray film holder. An X-ray collimator is provided with a visible light source and two fan beam assemblies which provide two fan beam planes. The fan beam planes perpendicularly bisect the X-ray beam and each other to form a line of intersection corresponding to the center of the X-ray beam. The intersecting fan beam planes form a cross-hair reticle whose origin point of intersection lies on the center of the X-ray beam. The cross-hair reticle is directed toward a patient for positioning the patient with respect to the X-ray beam. For purposes of aligning the X-ray beam, the cross-hair reticle may be aimed at an opaque object located at the center of the X-ray film holder. In this way, both the center of the X-ray film holder and the point of intersection of the cross-hair reticle are in alignment with the center of the X-ray beam.