BW fixer in color process?

[dangeresque]

Today while experimenting with an old E-4 processing kit I got some time ago, I compared the clearing time with the E-4 fixer to that of fresh TF-5. The TF-5 cleared my film in about 40 seconds while the E-4 fixer required over five minutes. (The kit's prehardener was DOA so I am processing at room temperature.) Can a regular B&W rapid fixer such as TF-5 be substituted for the prescribed fixer in a color process?

 

[hrst]

For experimentation, usually you can substitute them well enough. Acidic fixers may have negative effect on dyes, still I have used Agfa Agefix for color materials without apparent problems, however I can't say about long-term dye stability. Neutral pH fixers (or only slightly acidic or alkaline) are very close to color fixer formulations. I'd bet that TF-5 works well! (But it cannot be guaranteed.) However, just to be sure, usually the substitution is recommended the other way round -- so that you can use color fix for BW material.

And, you are probably aware that for old color films, you need formalin in final rinse for dye stability.

 

[dangeresque]

Seeing as how it's old E-4 film, I doubt there will be any long-term color stability regardless of the materials used. I'll be happy if my transparencies stay clear long enough to copy onto E-6 film and to scan. And yes, I do have the formalin stabilizer. That may be the single worst smelling chemical I have ever handled.

 

[Photo Engineer]

Color processes require a near neutral pH fixer. TF-5 is near neutral. It can be used for E4, E6, and C41 in a pinch.

PE

 

[dangeresque]

Excellent, thank you, PE.