About fixer... (Urgent Advice Requested)

[JPSuisse]

Hi All

So, I just a developed a film and realized that the Ilfo Rapid Fixer I have left is probably about 2 years old and has been about 85% full for the last year.

Don't know how I managed to confuse these two bottles... :bang:

Anyway, I have the film sitting in the fixer. Do people generally think the fixer is probably ok? Or, do you think it's weak.

I don't even know what fixer is actually... Not very well prepared I guess. Any quick inputs would be appreciated!

John

 

[ChrisN]

Probably fine.

To test it, take a strip of exposed film (eg from the start of a roll) that hasn't been developed. Put a large drop of fixer on the emulsion side, and let it sit for one minute. Then immerse the strip into the fixer and swirl it around.

If the fixer is good you'll quickly see a clear spot show where the big droplet was, then the rest of the strip will start to clear. The time taken for the whole strip to show the same level of transparency is the "clearing time". Film needs to be fixed for double the clearing time.

 

[ChrisN]

Some more: fix the film for 5 minutes then wash, and leave it in the tank while you do the test. You can fix again if necessary. Avoid exposing the film to light until properly fixed.

 

[JPSuisse]

Thanks lots for the advice! I had a hunch I could do something like that. 🙂

 

[Edward C. Zimmermann]

Fixer lasts forever or until its capacity is exhausted or--- as the case with acidic fixer-- it starts to precipitate sulphur. I would strongly suggest that people move away from these overpriced acidic rapid fixers and move to neutral C41 pro stuff in the big jugs.

 

[multiphot]

Hi, traditionally fixer (or Hypo) was sodium thiosulphate....the later 'rapid' fixers with quicker clearing times were usually ammonium thiosulphate!