life span Kodak powder fixer

[Vincent512]

Hi newbie here,
..getting ready to develop my first 35mm roll this week. I mixed up the Kodak D-76 and Kodak powdered Fixer according to directions. Does anyone know how long the Fixer will last after being mixed in this gallon plastic chemical bottle. And I am wondering how much liquid does a Kalt SS single roll tank hold when it has the reel and film in it ...Need to try and figure out how much stop bath to mix up at one time for each roll.


thanks,

V

 

[nikon_sam]

I have a gallon bottle of Fixer (from powder) that I mixed on 10-18-2011
I used it last week and it still works fine...I keep mine in an "Arizona Iced Tea" bottle in my photo closet...
Just put the reel in the tank and fill with water... pour out water in measuring cup and round it out...write down the amount so you don't forget...

 

[Vincent512]

I have a gallon bottle of Fixer (from powder) that I mixed on 10-18-2011
I used it last week and it still works fine...I keep mine in an "Arizona Iced Tea" bottle in my photo closet...
Just put the reel in the tank and fill with water... pour out water in measuring cup and round it out...write down the amount so you don't forget...

Thank you Sam have a great Sunday

 

[mwoenv]

The bags should have storage time information but you can also download the datasheets for the Kodak D76 and fixer and they will tell you storage time limits and capacities (number of rolls of film you can process).

I would place the 1 gallon quantities in 1-liter plastic plain seltzer water bottles and squeeze them to eliminate air before capping and store them in the dark - stored this way, the unused solutions would last 6 months, per the Kodak information.

When reusing chemicals (fixer and if using D76 stock solution), filter the amount you're using through a coffee filter before each use to filter out any debris.

A little care like this and you can get a lot out of your chemicals, making them very inexpensive to use.

 

[Lauffray]

When reusing chemicals (fixer and if using D76 stock solution), filter the amount you're using through a coffee filter before each use to filter out any debris.

+1 for that tip ! 🙂

 

[Bill Clark]

Fixer lasts a Long time!

years.

I use MT 2 liter soda bottles as the plastic doesn't react with the chemicals and the lid can be used over and over and will give a good seal.

Keeping the bottles in a cooler temp and out of light helps to prolong the life of solutions.

Developer is the most prone to degrade over time, however, I have D76 about 18 months old and still works just fine.

Hope this helps you.

 

[lam]

The Kodak kodafix stuff i've used once for 2 years, that's something like 80 rolls.. needless to say at the end of it's life fixing became a 20 minute job.. haha. I change more regularly now, and want to try out the 2-bath method... if I could find another bottle...

 

[haempe]

A indication is the odor.
If fixer smells like sulfur (rotten eggs) it is dead.
Then the silver falls out and produce spots on your negs.
This happened to me and can not recommend it...

A different thing is exhausted fixer (too much film gone through), this needs extended fixing time.

 

[charjohncarter]

I use Arista Odorless fixer to keep my wife happy. It doesn't last very long: 6 months. And that is before mixing with water. I use it one shot, so I spend more on fixer than I do on developer.

 

[crawdiddy]

Hi newbie here,
..getting ready to develop my first 35mm roll this week. I mixed up the Kodak D-76 and Kodak powdered Fixer according to directions. Does anyone know how long the Fixer will last after being mixed in this gallon plastic chemical bottle. And I am wondering how much liquid does a Kalt SS single roll tank hold when it has the reel and film in it ...Need to try and figure out how much stop bath to mix up at one time for each roll.


thanks,

V

Hello Vincent,

I have used 2-year-old fixer before, without problems. Even if it smells a bit like sulfur. Also, I use the powdered fixer like you do. I tried Kodak Rapid Fixer once, but I found the liquid to be more of a problem than powdered. Also, I was never sure whether the hardener was a good thing or not.

I also use a Kalt SS tank. For a single 35mm roll, you need about 8 fluid ounces. 16 ounces for 2 rolls. For 120, about 13 ounces. Btw, 8 ounces is about 236 ml, if you have metric vessels.

 

[crawdiddy]

While we're on the topic of fixer, I'm wondering what dilution you guys use. I've been using these dilutions for the past few years, only because I found a tutorial online that recommended them. I'm not sure how reliable the info is, although it seems to work for me.

Film: Kodak Fixer (stock solution) 1+1 and fix for 5 minutes.
Paper: Kodak Fixer (stock solution) 1+9 and fix for 5 minutes.

What do you guys do?

 

[nikon_sam]

I use a packet of Kodak Fixer (to make 1 gallon) and use it straight from that...
I pour or measure out the amount needed and then pour back after finishing...I don't mix a working solution...

 

[Vincent512]

I use a packet of Kodak Fixer (to make 1 gallon) and use it straight from that...
I pour or measure out the amount needed and then pour back after finishing...I don't mix a working solution...

Same here . I developed my first roll of Kodak Tmax 400 last night....things went well amd the negatives camenout great.....i have to smooth out my work flow and get it down a little better. The wife lent a hand and was my lovely assistant for the evening learning with me. Ill post some pics from the roll this week.

Thanks all for the info ... love the forum

V

 

[Borge H]

I test the fix with the first part of the film, which is cut off when I load the film.

I slip that film part in the top of the fix bottle during development, the time for the film to clear I double when it is time to fix the developed film.

With this practice you always play it safe, when the time is longer than recommended you discard the fix. But be careful, the fix contain some silver. I am not sure if it is recommended to flush it in public sewage waste systems.

I also always use stopping bath. It changes color when its used and increase the life-length of the fix.