Ilford Rapid Fixer Question.

NB23 said:
Chris,
It says 7 days once diluted. So logically you can fix as much as you like within those 7 days :)
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No. If you keep it it a container with a lid on it, it will keep much longer, like many months. Have no fear!

That figure from the label of 7 days is for open shallow tray i.e. fixing paper. Even then, they are being conservative.
 
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I have kept Ilford Rapid Fix, diluted 1+4 in a ordinary plastic jug for 4-5 months and noticed no difference. Storage life is something I never concern myself with.
 
Same here - I mixed 2 liters, went through 38 films in about two months and the fixer is still clean enough and going strong (clearing a piece of film in about 2.30 min). Storage is in black plastic squeezable bottles, with almost no air in it once closed.
 
I've been using the same 600ml mixed for the last 2+ months and fixed about 20 rolls of 36 exp 135. To test it, just cut off a piece of exposed film (e.g. the tapered leader on a 135 roll), not developed, and submerge in the fixer. If the fixer is still good, it should clear within a couple of minutes. For fixing your developed film, fix for longer (5 mins recommended on bottle). The advice I received from my local film retailer/processing lab is that it better to fix a longer rather than shorter time, within reason.

I'm storing the mixed fixer in 2l water bottles, so there's about 1.4 litres of air in there along with the fixer. So far, no problems (although maybe my negatives will fade after 20 years instead of 100:) )
 
NB23 said:
You guys use the fixer as a one shot and throw away? You must be crazy!

A 1+4 dilutions is good for about 20 rolls of 36 exposure film!
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I use the Fixer as a one time shot ONLY when printing...when developing film I'll use it over and over until it's exhausted...
I also rinse after the Stop Bath when printing...
 
I just tested a gallon of Ilford Rapid fixer that I have had in the jug for probably over a year and a half. The film snip went clear in under 2 minutes.
 
Bob Michaels said:
I have never seen any mention, must less recommendation, from Ilford to use this as a one shot fixer. (I am assuming you meant to say fixer and not developer as we are talking about fixer and you mention a 1:4 dilution)

Of course it will work fine as one shot, just not very economical.

GB: you can download the data sheet at http://www.ilfordphoto.com/Webfiles/2006130218312091.pdf
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I have never seen or heard about Rapid Fixer being one shot..
Of course I only have developed since the early 60's.
I fix for double the clearing time.
I also at times use 2 fixer baths..still doing double clearing time.
Complete clearing time!
 
I use it at 1:4 if course and mix 900ml for printing (20-25 prints) and 500ml for film (10 rolls of film) and store in separate brown glass bottles
regards
Clc
 
I see some people write 1+4 and others 1:4. Please note that these two dilution nomenclatures are NOT the same! To make a liter of 1+4, one uses 200 mL of concentrate and adds 800 mL (4 times as much) of water. To make a liter of 1:4 start with 250 mL of concentrate and dilute it to a liter with water. 1:4 is approximately the same as 1+3.
 
vieri said:
Same here - I mixed 2 liters, went through 38 films in about two months and the fixer is still clean enough and going strong (clearing a piece of film in about 2.30 min). Storage is in black plastic squeezable bottles, with almost no air in it once closed.
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This thread is CRAZY. :bang: Ilford Rapid Fixer one shot at 1+4??

Good god. I mix up 2 liters of Rapid Fixer and process FIFTY rolls from that. My fixer is 100% fine after 2 months of storage.
 
6 month old Ilford Rapid Fixer with bits of silver floating around still fixed my film fine - (ended up switching to clear soda bottles for fixer)
 
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