Developed my first roll!!

[markinlondon]

Ilford says 2-5 minutes for fixing, so I supposed almost 4 min is enough. I stored the used fixer with the intention of using it again. How much can I store it? One month?. The Ilford bottle with the concentrate fixer should last longer, I think, maybe 6 months. How much have you experienced the fixer to last (in time, not in number of rolls)?

To test fixer, drop the leader you cut off into the fixer in daylight and agitate constantly. Time how long it takes to clear completely. Use at least twice this time for fixing in the tank. 3x is OK, 10x is overdone to give you an idea of how much safety margin you can leave. I get about 25 rolls from a litre of stock Ilford Rapid Fix. I run this test every 5 rolls or so. When the clearing time for a particular film has doubled the fixer is exhausted and should be discarded immediately. Do not try to squeeze out another roll at this point.

Tri-x has quite a long clearing time, just over a minute in fresh fixer (Rapid FIx 1:4) so I give it three minutes . By testing as you go you calibrate your process and can't go wrong.

The concentrate should last ages. I've had bottles of concentrate for well over a year. Even the working solution will last for months without going bad.

 

[alansoon]

Speaking of reusing fixer, have any of you experienced fixer that turns dark grey after using two or three times? It appears to still work. But I'm concerned about the greyness.

 

[javimm]

Thanks for the fixer times. I still have the fixer I used, and I'll try the test next time I develop.

 

[oscroft]

Hi Javier,

So next time I'll try less agitation, as you suggest. I've read that some people only do 2 cycles of 2 inversions in all the development time. I don't know what to use. I'll try 4 inversion at start and then 4 inversions at 2:30, and other 4 at 4:30, then stop development at 6:30. Sounds good?.

Yes, that sounds like a good approach - the way to go about it is really to vary the agitation to suit both your own taste and the lighting conditions. And experimentation is fun

About dilution H, I have a couple of questions. I have a 485 ml Jobo tank. That gives 7.7 ml of syrup. Is that enough for developing two rolls at once?. I've read the covington page about HC-110 and it says 6ml per roll minum. How about the time for dil H?. 13 min?

Yes, I'm sure that's enough developer. I develop two at once in a two roll tank at dil H with no room for extra developer and I don't have any problems. I'm not sure about time, because I'm away from home and don't have any of my notes with me (and I tend to vary the film speed as well according to the conditions, so it's not easy for me to remember exactly), but I'd say probably a bit less than double the dil B time would be the best way to start.

Good luck!