Jhausler
Established
I have a 1L bottle of TF-5. Directions are simple enough...
1L of TF-5 plus 3L of water.. boom.
But who has a 4L jug? I have plenty of access to an empty water/milk gallon.. 3.8L
Is that close enough?
In the past I've done 1L of solution in the original bottle and 3 in the milk jug.
1L of TF-5 plus 3L of water.. boom.
But who has a 4L jug? I have plenty of access to an empty water/milk gallon.. 3.8L
Is that close enough?
In the past I've done 1L of solution in the original bottle and 3 in the milk jug.
skibeerr
Well-known
Make any smaller volume in a 1+3 ratio. You do not have to make it all at once.
nikon_sam
Shooter of Film...
I use an Arizona Iced Tea jug...it's thicker than a milk jug and the cap seals better...
I would use the 1 liter of solution and fill to the top...close enough for Fixer...
I keep the Fixer in a closet so it basically sits in the dark, I'm not too worried that it's not a dark bottle...and I've never had any problems...
I would use the 1 liter of solution and fill to the top...close enough for Fixer...
I keep the Fixer in a closet so it basically sits in the dark, I'm not too worried that it's not a dark bottle...and I've never had any problems...
Bill Clark
Veteran
I usually mix up 16 to 20 ounces of workng solution fixer.
I believe, to get to proper working solution, take 1 part stock (the stuff in the bottle from formulary) fixer and mix with 3 parts water.
Here is some info in pdf format to help:
http://photoformulary.homestead.com/03-0200.pdf
I see they recommend keeping the stock solution for 12 monhs. I have stock fixer older than that and it still works just fine after mixing into working solution. I keep it in a basemnt bathroom cabinet where it's in the dark and cool temp.
I believe, to get to proper working solution, take 1 part stock (the stuff in the bottle from formulary) fixer and mix with 3 parts water.
Here is some info in pdf format to help:
http://photoformulary.homestead.com/03-0200.pdf
I see they recommend keeping the stock solution for 12 monhs. I have stock fixer older than that and it still works just fine after mixing into working solution. I keep it in a basemnt bathroom cabinet where it's in the dark and cool temp.
analoged
Well-known
What nikon_sam said!
JohnTF
Veteran
If you want a tight seal, use Saran Wrap under the cap, the others are lower density- I did use water bottles, left some chemistry with a friend-- her mom came to take care of her apartment, and watered her plants--
I replaced the plants. ;-)
Ctein put me on to Saran Wrap years ago-- and I verified it through experimentation-- plus, I used to sell bottles and tops, the ones with the V seals were good, but not perfect without the wrap treatment.
I also found that Fix stored too long will throw a sediment-- toss it-- also the liquid fixes are normally quick fix, and I need to add a hardener for films-- not for paper. Seemed to want a double strength for the papers as well.
Probably TMI-- may save a few plants? ;-)
John
I replaced the plants. ;-)
Ctein put me on to Saran Wrap years ago-- and I verified it through experimentation-- plus, I used to sell bottles and tops, the ones with the V seals were good, but not perfect without the wrap treatment.
I also found that Fix stored too long will throw a sediment-- toss it-- also the liquid fixes are normally quick fix, and I need to add a hardener for films-- not for paper. Seemed to want a double strength for the papers as well.
Probably TMI-- may save a few plants? ;-)
John
Jhausler
Established
I was hoping 1+ 2.8 would be close enough for Fixer. Thanks for the feedback. I'll check out a Tea jug as well.
joeswe
Well-known
Yes, it is close enough, but as others have said, with rapid fixer there is absolutely no need to dilute all the concentrate at once to working solution unless you have a tank that is so huge that it needs a gallon of fixer to cover all the film.
Else, just do the maths and use the fraction of the concentrate that gives you an amount of working solution that makes sense for you, depending on the requirement of your working tank, the amount of film you plan to process in the next couple of months and the storage containers you have at hand. I usually mix one liter (200 conc. + 800 water in my case) which I use for about 10-15 rolls (which takes about 2-3 months in my case) and then replace.
So more suggestions: I make it a habit to filter my fixer working solution through a coffee filter before each re-use, as the fixer tends to accumulate all kind of dust, dirt and stuff that could stick to the emulsion during processing and ruin the negatives. When you see a visible white precipitation in the fixer bottle (=sulphur) or the fixer smells of rotten eggs it is definitely dead and must be replaced. But that shouldn't happen as long as you stick to the maximum film capacities and storage times as indicated by the manufacturer.
Good luck.
Steve M.
Veteran
All good advice. I would only add:
Whenever using non photographic bottles to store chemicals, I always label them w/ large red letters that say POISON, draw skulls w/ Xs on them, etc. You never know who might use them, or when your own brain might take a vacation.
It's fine to reuse the fixer too (at least I always did w/ my Kodak stuff). Simply pour it back into your big stock bottle, and every now and then do a clip test to see if it's still good. My gallon of Kodak rapid fixer has made it nearly two years so far, even w/ pouring the old stuff back in. Obviously, the bigger your stock solution bottle the more mileage you can get out of the fixer if you do this. You can see how inexpensive it is to do your own printing and developing. The only chemicals you'll have to buy for quite a while is some developer. When printing, it might be a good idea not to reuse the fixer if you're in there for hours and hours like some of us.
I always pour all of my chemicals through a coffee filter before using them, and use distilled water in everything (both things really help cut down on crap on your negs). At some point I stopped using stop bath and went to a plain cold water rinse from the faucet. Worked just as good, and got rid of that awful smell. For fiber prints you should use a stop bath.
Whenever using non photographic bottles to store chemicals, I always label them w/ large red letters that say POISON, draw skulls w/ Xs on them, etc. You never know who might use them, or when your own brain might take a vacation.
It's fine to reuse the fixer too (at least I always did w/ my Kodak stuff). Simply pour it back into your big stock bottle, and every now and then do a clip test to see if it's still good. My gallon of Kodak rapid fixer has made it nearly two years so far, even w/ pouring the old stuff back in. Obviously, the bigger your stock solution bottle the more mileage you can get out of the fixer if you do this. You can see how inexpensive it is to do your own printing and developing. The only chemicals you'll have to buy for quite a while is some developer. When printing, it might be a good idea not to reuse the fixer if you're in there for hours and hours like some of us.
I always pour all of my chemicals through a coffee filter before using them, and use distilled water in everything (both things really help cut down on crap on your negs). At some point I stopped using stop bath and went to a plain cold water rinse from the faucet. Worked just as good, and got rid of that awful smell. For fiber prints you should use a stop bath.
Pherdinand
the snow must go on
if u wanna mix it all up- mix it in a bucket, store it in several smaller bottles. This way you can also store it airtight for longer and it's easier to handle half liter bottles than a 3.8l jug when pouring in-out + you have better control on when it is all exhausted. When you start using the last bottle you can mix a new batch.
Pherdinand
the snow must go on
What's the point of "for fibers use a stop bath"? Is it just for prolonging fixer life?
grouchos_tash
Well-known
I just use a 750ml Evian water bottle and mix new solution when the old is exhausted.
Sorry to hijack the thread but I have only replaced my 750ml bottle of fix once in the past year and i've probably developed 60 films? I've heard that other people need to replace it after 10/15 rolls?
Sorry to hijack the thread but I have only replaced my 750ml bottle of fix once in the past year and i've probably developed 60 films? I've heard that other people need to replace it after 10/15 rolls?
mwoenv
Well-known
Buy a 4 or 5 liter jug of wine, drink the wine, and use the bottle. I actually did that to have a 5 liter bottle to make up XTOL b&w developer.
