Hardener, do i need it???

[NL2377]

I bought a double solution of kodak fixer + hardener... Is the hardener nessesary???

as in, do I need to mix in the hardener to the solution, or can I just use the fixer itself w/o the hardener?

what negative effects will this have?

 

[danwilly]

The hardener is in there to prevent damage to the film right after processing when the emulsion is still soft and susceptible to scratches from handling. I mix my fixer from scratch and leave out the hardener and haven't experienced any problems. Also, using hardener for fixing prints makes it difficult to do any toning and you have to soak your prints or use a de-hardener before the toner will take. So, all in all, I would say don't use it. (Hardener is essentially Alum, what you use in pickling).