Ilford Rapid Fixer Contamination

[charmicarmicat]

Hello all.

I just developed some film in DDX and fixed with Ilford Rapid Fixer.

I am planning to stand develop some film in Adonal tomorrow and I was wondering if I could use the same batch of fixer that I just used to fix the film developed in DDX to use for fixing the film that i'm going to stand develop in Adonal tomorrow.

Basically is the fixer now tainted/contaminated with some DDX or is it safe to use with another developer.

Thanks for taking the time.

Guy.

 

[edge100]

Safe to use.

 

[Scrambler]

I presume you did a thorough rinse and/or stop bath before fixing? If so, I can't see the issue.

 

[charmicarmicat]

I presume you did a thorough rinse and/or stop bath before fixing? If so, I can't see the issue.

Yes I did. developed, rinsed twice, fixed.

 

[Steve M.]

Actually, you can just keep pouring the fixer back into your big jug after developing. If you don't do much shooting then it might not make any difference, but it saves you some money and fixer if you do a lot. Just do a clip test at some point to see how the fixer is holding up. As long as you don't expose it to heat it should be good for 6 months, or until it exhausts if you do a lot of developing.

 

[charmicarmicat]

Actually, you can just keep pouring the fixer back into your big jug after developing. If you don't do much shooting then it might not make any difference, but it saves you some money and fixer if you do a lot. Just do a clip test at some point to see how the fixer is holding up. As long as you don't expose it to heat it should be good for 6 months, or until it exhausts if you do a lot of developing.

So basically once I brew it and use it i can keep using it for a while? How long does it stay good between uses? Let's say I develop today (which as mentioned, I will) can i just pour it back into my jug and use it again in a week and the results will be the same?

Thanks!

Guy.

 

[btgc]

So basically once I brew it and use it i can keep using it for a while? How long does it stay good between uses? Let's say I develop today (which as mentioned, I will) can i just pour it back into my jug and use it again in a week and the results will be the same?

I pour it back into bottle, keeping it as full as possible, at least, in almost full bottle there will be less surface than in jar. It stays ready for use for weeks and months, mine has been good almost year - but beware - once it gets depleted I have got strange sprocket hole shaped areas, otherwise negatives look OK. After re-fixing with fresh fixer solution I learned there's line after which it takes longer to fix and there can be side effects. So my take is about 12 36exp 35mm films are fine, can be stretched for 14-16 but watch it there - more than before (in theory one has to test fixer before each session). Probably not worth the hassle after certain point. Amount also depends how well you rinse, that is, contamination factor.

 

[ChrisLivsey]

I use 20 rolls (35mm 36 exposure, just felt tip the number on the plastic bottle) per 2 litre then dump, at that it is probably good for another 10 at least but rather than take chances or test 🙄 at the cost just start a fresh batch. I would probably put a 3 month life on it as a limit, for no good reasons I just would. but I never shoot that few.

BTW those figures quoted above by others may also be correct but they fail to quote volume. I'm using 5 reel tanks (1500ml) with 2 litre stock so re-use I can loose some each time but after 20 rolls still more than enough to fill the tank.

 

[jammcat]

I definitely use fixer longer than I should-- I've had my bottle of concentrate for over three years, and I use the same mixed solution for way more rolls than I probably should-- but you know what? No problems so far.

 

[charmicarmicat]

Thank you all for your input! Always appreciated.