Ilford Rapid Fixer Question.

[gb hill]

I have always used Kodak powdered fixer & made up a liter. Very simple. Well the photo supply I buy my chemicals was out, so I wound up buying a bottle of Ilford rapid fixer which is a liquid. Never have used the stuff before & I was wondering if the fixer could be made up as a one shot deal like HC110? If so, what ratio would you use to do one roll of 35mm? Would the liquid concentrate expire before I used it all? I know Kodak rates their fixer a shelf life of 2 months after mixing, which is why I would like to mix a shot at a time. Never gave much thought to fixer before. Any tips are much appreciated.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I always use the Ilford fixer one-shot. mixed 1+4, like the instructions say. Works fine.

 

[peterc]

I use Ilford Rapid Fixer one shot. You mix it 1+4. I've never really had a problem with the concentrate going bad. Ilford says the concentrate is good for 6 months in a partially full bottle.

 

[Bob Michaels]

GB: I used the Ilford Rapid Fix for years. I just mix it 1:4 and store it in used gallon bottles that windshield washer fluid comes in. It seems to last until it gets used up. I have some 4-5 months and it was fine.

The problem with using it one shot is the disposal. Used fixer is bad stuff to pour into a septic tank or municipal waste system. When I have a gallon, I can take it to where the silver can be reclaimed and it can be disposed of properly.

The only reason I quit using Ilford Rapid Fix was that I realized the Kodak RA-4 color fix is half the price and works quicker.

 

[gb hill]

Thanks guys. I haven't even read the bottle yet except glanced at mixing a liter. Picked up some HC110 because of the convience of mixing one shot at a time & wanted to know if any of you guys did this with fixer. Trying to save every penny I can right now.😉.

 

[infrequent]

The dilution is 1+4. Ilford recommends to use it as a one shot developer but others get a better mileage.

 

[Bob Michaels]

Ilford recommends to use it as a one shot developer ..............

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

 

[infrequent]

err fixer. maybe not recommendation but the instruction sheet warns about reuse. and why would you reuse when fixer is cheap? better be careful and use it once instead of potentially ruining a roll.

 

[usagisakana]

I've always used ilford rapid fixer as a one shot, 1+4. I would like to use something more economical.

 

[nikon_sam]

I have a one gallon bottle of Kodak Fixer that I use for film only, when I print I mix 30 or so ounces of Ilford Rapid Fix and dump it when I'm done...
I don't think I've ever used Ilford for film processing...

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Bob,

Ilford's rapid fix is made to be diluted 1+4, unlike Kodak's rapid fix, which is diluted 1+3. fixing times are the same for either fixer. I think the Ilford stuff is more concentrated so the working solution of it at 1+4 is the same strength as the kodak at 1+3.

 

[Ororaro]

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!

 

[David William White]

I agree. Thoroughly insane! Fixer is not 'one shot'. Fixer exhausts, to be sure, but a litre of mixed fixer (Ilford Rapid) is good for about 25 rolls of film.

The standard test is to take a frame or two of unexposed film and fix until it appears clear, then double it.

There is no real risk in ruining your film: If your fixing time is not long enough because your resuesd fixer is depleted, you can easily refix your film without harm.

You can also 'top up' your reused fixer straight from the concentrate if your fixing time is too long.

Fixer has a really long shelf life as well.

David.

 

[infrequent]

@nenad @david - well you learn something everyday!

 

[gb hill]

I agree. Thoroughly insane! Fixer is not 'one shot'. Fixer exhausts, to be sure, but a litre of mixed fixer (Ilford Rapid) is good for about 25 rolls of film.

The standard test is to take a frame or two of unexposed film and fix until it appears clear, then double it.

There is no real risk in ruining your film: If your fixing time is not long enough because your resuesd fixer is depleted, you can easily refix your film without harm.

You can also 'top up' your reused fixer straight from the concentrate if your fixing time is too long.

Fixer has a really long shelf life as well.

David.

What do you do just pour the used fixer back into the original bottle with the rest?

 

[gb hill]

I think everyone misunderstood the question I was trying to ask. My fault. I wanted to know if the fixer since it's concentrated like HC110, could I use a syringe to make up enough fixer to fix a roll of film at a time. say like 11 oz. as stated on my developing tank. But if the fixer is reusable & has a long shelf life then I will mix a 1+4 solution (1 liter) & reuse.

 

[David William White]

Just mix up a litre (or whatever) in any old container with a lid, and each time you are done, pour the fixer from your daylight tank or paper tray back into your container. I use a wide-mouth jar to make it easier to reclaim the fixer, instead of a funnel, but whatever.

Every ten rolls or so I do a fix test to see if unexposed film clears within 3 or 4 minutes (but fix real rolls for 6 minutes or so).

If ever you notice your negatives appear strangely foggy or has milky grey shadow areas after drying, then it wasn't fixed enough and should be submerged for a few minutes longer. You may wish to top up, or if your fixing times get really long, dump the batch and make fresh.

I should say it is common practice with sheet film (or with fiber paper) to have two fixes: first fix and second fix. After so many sheets of film or paper, the first fix is disposed of, and the second fix becomes the first, and a fresh batch is made for the second fix.

David.

 

[Chris101]

err fixer. maybe not recommendation but the instruction sheet warns about reuse. and why would you reuse when fixer is cheap? better be careful and use it once instead of potentially ruining a roll.

Here is the actual Ilford instruction sheet for Rapid Fixer. They do not warn about reuse:

 

[David William White]

I think everyone misunderstood the question I was trying to ask. My fault. I wanted to know if the fixer since it's concentrated like HC110, could I use a syringe to make up enough fixer to fix a roll of film at a time. say like 11 oz. as stated on my developing tank. But if the fixer is reusable & has a long shelf life then I will mix a 1+4 solution (1 liter) & reuse.

Sorry, you beat me with this clarification. In theory it is possible to use just enough concentrate to make up 300ml to fix one roll, so maybe something like 300ml divided by 4 divided by 25, but your fixing time would run to hours. If you want to try a test, with this approach, I would insist you take an entire roll, unexposed, and see what the fixing time is. Honest to God no one does this and I can't think of any reason to do it.

You may decide to use weaker dilutions than recommended -- just as you can with HC-110, by the way -- but you will likewise need to extend the fixing time appropriately, and the suspense would kill me!

D.

 

[gb hill]

Sorry, you beat me with this clarification. In theory it is possible to use just enough concentrate to make up 300ml to fix one roll, so maybe something like 300ml divided by 4 divided by 25, but your fixing time would run to hours. If you want to try a test, with this approach, I would insist you take an entire roll, unexposed, and see what the fixing time is. Honest to God no one does this and I can't think of any reason to do it.

You may decide to use weaker dilutions than recommended -- just as you can with HC-110, by the way -- but you will likewise need to extend the fixing time appropriately, and the suspense would kill me!

D.

Now that you explaned to me how fixer works & how it can be reused it makes no since to make a 300ml batch. I will continue to make a liter at a time & reuse.
Thanks