Need film rescue advise

[semrich]

Well I'm back from my trip to the States and Sunday I got to develop 7 of the rolls of film I shot while there. However I have encountered some problems with the fixing.

Here are the details: I started with 2 rolls of 120 400TMY-2 using D-76 1+1 for the recommended time, stopped with water, and fixed with my Ilford fixer (that had only a few rolls use) for 4 1/2 min. (my usual time) rinsed and when I looked at it there were images but the film was pink, I checked the TMY instructions and it recommended 10 min. fixing so I fixed it again and it seemed clear but my usually clear Ilford fixer was cloudy yellow.

I had a package of Kodak Pro Fixer and so I mixed that up and did another roll of 120 400TMY-2 using that for the fixer rinsed with a film washer for 10 min. then Ilford Wash Aid they looked clear when hung to dry. Then proceeded finishing up another roll of 120 400TMY-2 and two rolls of 135 400TMY (old) using the old processing times with the D-76 1+1 finishing with the same process.

Monday went to cut them for the sleeves and noticed when I opened the bath room door where the film was hanging in the shower I had a strong smell of fixer (which I never get from Ilford) and noticed the 135 rolls had all little wet dots on them, now way water would not have dried, it was fixer! On closer inspection all the films while wet looked clear but dry all had a haze on them one with a pinkish haze.

Looking more closely at the Kodak Pro Fixer I notice it is a general purpose harding fixer for film, from this I guess I need to use a hypo clearing agent (HCA), so it would seem the best approach to rescue my film is to put them through the fixer again for longer to be sure they are clear and then use a HCA.

So given all that I've related this is where I some advise for the following options or others I'm not aware of: 1) mix up new Kodak fixer and refix them then use the HCA. 2) use HCA then refix with ilford fixer. Additionally which HCA to use, Kodak or Ilford? I'm open to fixer product suggestions and the same for HCA, though I would prefer staying with Ilford because i have a dealer here in Istanbul.

I'm kind of new with this and haven't had any problems like this with Ilford and now with this experience I'm not to excited about using Kodak 400 TMY-2 anymore, I'm more inclined to stick with Ilford and use Delta 100, 400, 3200.

 

[Sisyphus]

Richard,

I know how frustrating this is. I usually only fix my film for about 5 minutes, if I have put quite a few rolls through my fixer, I might extend my fixing time by a minute or two, but not much more than that.

After the fixer, I wash in 68 F or 20 C water, and then perma wash it for a minute. I then wash the film in running water for about 10-30 minutes sometimes longer.

After the wash I use a product called photo flo--1 cap to 32 ounces of DISTILLED water that I buy at the store. The photo flo and distilled water will help the film to dry evenly without any water stains.

At this point, I would not recommend that you fix your film again. I would wash in a cool water bath for about 5-10 minutes, permawash for two minutes, then wash the film again for 30 minutes, photo flo it and hang it to dry. I am not sure if the marks on your film will go away though.

Good luck, let us know how it works out.

 

[lZr]

Ya, all the way. Tmax family films need long rinsing time. I wash for 20 minutes
I can't wait to see the pictures, Richard

 

[semrich]

Sisyphus - Thank you for your input, I'm still thinking about the Ilford Hypo Clearing Agent for harding fixers. Extended wash is not a problem, I have a film washer, drop the reels in and let it run.

Lazar - Thanks, for me T-Max is out the window I'm staying with Ilford. Some of the photos in question are first rolls through my new Mamiya 7 II with the 43mm lens, some from my new Rolleiflex 3.5 75mm, and I'm still experimenting with the X-Pan I may get some of them into the Gallery early next week, I'm still catching up from being away.