Bad fixer? Or something else?

I'm fairly new to developing but I've managed to develop 4 rolls of Tri-X pretty well so far. However, the last roll I tried to develop ended up like this :


Reflective side

Underneath

This is Tri-x developed in id-11 and fixed using Ilford Rapidfixer at the same temp/time as the previous rolls. The parts that should be clear are very opaque.

Is the fixer bad? Or is it the developer? Both are fairly new, bought it two weeks ago and the previous rolls were developed 3 days ago without any problems. Any feedback is greatly appreciated

Probably the fixer. Try refixing one strip in fresh fixer for the recommended dilution + time and have a look again. I'd also put the strips away from light, they may print out.

Can't really tell from the picture, I'm afraid. However, underfixing can easily be confirmed/denied by refixing in fresh fixer and see if it clears. And no worries from over-fixing. So that is the first diagnostic to do. Like right now, eh?

Thanks for the quick replies guys, I tried fixing it again and it worked! No idea what I did wrong the first time though...

You well within the fixers capacity which is 24 films at 1+4 or 12 at 1+9 so unless you under-fixed time-wise you need to look elsewhere. Times do need a slight increase as you process more films.

That's most likely the issue.

2 -3 times the recommended time is unlikely to cause a measurable/noticeable difference in quality but ensures the films fixed. when you pen the tank make sure there's no whitish areas unfixed. refix if you see this..

Ian

From the second picture, it looks like it wasn't fixed at all.

yep, i had this EXACT problem a couple of weeks ago, pore out some working fix and soak them for about 10, then another 10 min in hypo clearing agent

Check clearing time

I test a piece of the film to be processed in a sample of the fixer to be used, for the clearing time. I triple this time to determine the total fixing time. I know the traditional rule is double clearing but I've heard the new rule is triple such as in the Film Developing Cookbook by Troop and Anchell. Anyway, I have noticed that the new Kodak films take the longest time to clear of all the brands I have processed. Tmax 400 takes at least 3 minutes in fresh Ilford Rapid Fixer at 1+4. Plus and Tri-X almost as long. Foma films by contrast will clear in about 30 seconds, and Ilford's in about a minute.

Has anyone else noticed this? Since the problem in this thread was underfixed Kodak film I thought I'd mention my observations.