pepeguitarra
Well-known
Can I reuse TF-4 fixer? How long or how many times? I am going to start using TFX-2 and TF-4 for stand development, any advice? THanks, Pepe
Solinar
Analog Preferred
Formulary TF-4 has undissolved solids in it. So, I prefer TF-5 that allows me to use only 250ml of the working solution at a time.
The first thing I do when purchase a 1 liter bottle of Formulary TF-5 fixer is to transfer it to four 250 ml glass bottles. Each bottle of stock solution will last at least 1 year, if you fill them to the top.
I use each of the 250 ml bottles to make 1000 ml of working solution - which go into 1 liter bottle that I can squeeze to get the excess air out before putting the cap on. With air squeezed out, the diluted working solution will last at least a month or two.
As far as reuse - check the fixer before each development session with a couple of drops of potassium iodide solution, such as Edwal Hypo Check. If the drop causes a white precipitate to form, then it is best to make a new working solution.
The first thing I do when purchase a 1 liter bottle of Formulary TF-5 fixer is to transfer it to four 250 ml glass bottles. Each bottle of stock solution will last at least 1 year, if you fill them to the top.
I use each of the 250 ml bottles to make 1000 ml of working solution - which go into 1 liter bottle that I can squeeze to get the excess air out before putting the cap on. With air squeezed out, the diluted working solution will last at least a month or two.
As far as reuse - check the fixer before each development session with a couple of drops of potassium iodide solution, such as Edwal Hypo Check. If the drop causes a white precipitate to form, then it is best to make a new working solution.
Pioneer
Veteran
I am mixing my own as a rule now but I have used TF-4 in the past. I really don't know how many rolls of film a liter of working solution will fix. I usually mix up a new batch after about 15 rolls (+ or - a roll or two as I am not anal about tracking things.) It could probably go longer but I can't say. My suggestion is to do a clearing test after 15 rolls and see if you want to get a bit more mileage out of it.
BTW, I generally only use fresh water as a stop instead of citric or acetic acid stops with this fixer.
Solinar is correct about solids precipitating out of solution but I have only seen this with the stock solution, not working ones. If this happens you can just shake it up real hard and the solids will mix back in.
BTW, I generally only use fresh water as a stop instead of citric or acetic acid stops with this fixer.
Solinar is correct about solids precipitating out of solution but I have only seen this with the stock solution, not working ones. If this happens you can just shake it up real hard and the solids will mix back in.
Chriscrawfordphoto
Real Men Shoot Film.
TF-4 must be dissolved all at once. When you do, the solids in the concentrate go away and will not re-appear. If you try to mix just part of it, you might not have the right amount of the solids in the mix, even if you shook the concentrate bottle well before measuring off some of it.
I buy the bottle that makes one gallon of working fixer and mix it all at once. The fixer can be reused and will do about 50 rolls of film. The instructions claim much more, but in my experience manufacturers usually greatly exaggerate fixer capacities if you want truly archival results.
I have created a fixer log sheet I tape to the wall above my developing sink. I check off each roll of film I do, till all 50 have been checked off. Then I make new fixer and print a new log sheet. Its free for anyone to use, download from my website in PDF format: Fixer Log Sheet
I buy the bottle that makes one gallon of working fixer and mix it all at once. The fixer can be reused and will do about 50 rolls of film. The instructions claim much more, but in my experience manufacturers usually greatly exaggerate fixer capacities if you want truly archival results.
I have created a fixer log sheet I tape to the wall above my developing sink. I check off each roll of film I do, till all 50 have been checked off. Then I make new fixer and print a new log sheet. Its free for anyone to use, download from my website in PDF format: Fixer Log Sheet
pepeguitarra
Well-known
Thanks everyone, I used it once as a one-shot fixer to try it. I am not sure if I got any solids (I did not see any), but the fixer worked fine for a stand development. Thanks to Chris for the log sheet. It looks very helpful.
Pioneer
Veteran
Great log sheet Chris. I am certainly not this organized. I generally just apply a piece of refrigerator tape to the bottle, jot down the mix date, and then mark off the number of rolls. Peel the tape off when the fixer is exhausted and start over.
As for mixing the fixer all at once into a working solution I think I would only buy 1 litre bottles as you do if that is how it had to be done.