Fomafix anybody?

[astrosecret]

I usually use kodak powder fixer but trying to cut costs as much as possible, so I picked up a bottle of this (liquid concentrate, rapid non-hardening) at freestyle. Does anybody have any experience with it? if so, please share (ie, your fix time for certain films or papers)

 

[jbielikowski]

1+4, 3-5 mins with whatever and thats all.

 

[John Robertson]

All Foma stuff works just fine!!

 

[Freakscene]

I've used hundreds of litres of it. It fixes, not much else to say. Like any rapid fix, mix as recommended (1+4 in this case) and fix for 2x the clearing time.

Rapid "ammonium thiosulfate" fixers are better than plain hypo (sodium thiosulfate) fixers because the fix silver iodide, which modern films and papers contain, more effectively,

Marty

 

[astrosecret]

Thanks! what do you mean 'fix for 2x the clearing time'? I am only acquainted with kodak fixer

 

[Freakscene]

There's an explanation of what clearing time is and how to find out what that time is here:
http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/fixer%20exhaustion.html
Roger and Frances to the rescue (as usual - amazing how much time and effort they have put into those documents for everyone to access free).

Marty

 

[astrosecret]

thanks, great resource. I just always used hypocheck but now i is smarter 😀

 

[Freakscene]

thanks, great resource. I just always used hypocheck but now i is smarter 😀

You still need your hypocheck. Hypocheck tells you when to throw your fixer out. Clearing time tells you how long to fix for.

Marty

 

[astrosecret]

Yes, well the article seems to also describe a way to hypo check without Hypocheck fluid. or did i miss something?

 

[nemo2]

I use fomafix regularly, follow the instructions on the bottle and everything is fixed OK.

 

[Freakscene]

Yes, well the article seems to also describe a way to hypo check without Hypocheck fluid. or did i miss something?

No, you didn't miss anything; it's a relatively minor point, but the 2x fresh fixer clearing time rule is approximate and ammonium thiosulfate fixers often have more silver in them than optimal for archival purposes when the clearing time doubles. I prefer to make sure my film fixer is under 6 g/L silver and my print fixer is under 2 g/L silver. Kodak silver estimating papers CAT 196 5466. I have no idea if Kodak makes them anymore, probably not. I have a lifetime supply.

Marty