C41 fixer as B&W fixer?

[BetterSense]

My 5L jug of Hypam is about gone, and my local store doesn't stock the big jugs of it anymore. I hate to mail order large quantities of rapid fixer because of shipping costs. I know somebody who has a lot of C41 fixer he might give me for free. What makes this different than B&W rapid fixer? Has anyone used this for B&W, and if so, how do you use it?

 

[2F/2F]

I just asked this question a few months ago ((there was a url link here which no longer exists)). Others who are experts (PE and fschifano) will answer in better detail, but I will just say to take the free fixer and use it without worry.

 

[MikeSeb]

It works perfectly. You can dilute it 1+1 for B&W use. It clears just as rapidly as rapid fix intended for B&W, but you can do a clip test to make sure.

C-41 is all I use for B&W fixer. It's dirt cheap, and since I do mostly C-41 and only a little B&W these days, this arrangement is simpler and more economical.

 

[nickandre]

My flexicolor C41 fixer dilutes 1:4 for film. The time it has listed is 6:30 though the film clears in 30 seconds so I'm not entirely sure of the concept there. IIRC it's simply B+W fixer but with stricter control on the pH to keep dye stability.

 

[2F/2F]

It works perfectly. You can dilute it 1+1 for B&W use. It clears just as rapidly as rapid fix intended for B&W, but you can do a clip test to make sure.

C-41 is all I use for B&W fixer. It's dirt cheap, and since I do mostly C-41 and only a little B&W these days, this arrangement is simpler and more economical.

Mike,

Do you mean that you mix the standard C-41 fixer working solution 1:1 ("standard C-41 fixer working solution" being 1:4 concentrate to water), or that you mix the concentrate 1:1 to make a more concentrated working solution than the standard working solution (2.5x more concentrated)?

 

[Photo Engineer]

For film, use C41 1:3 and for paper use 1:9. Use it with testing for silver and hypo retention to insure proper dilution and activity. Do not use B&W fixer for color though. You are on your own for fix and wash times otherwise.

PE

 

[McFortner]

Oooo.... free is always good. I wish I had somebody nearby like that, I'm out of fixer and cash!

Let us know how it works out, I'm curious.

Michael

 

[nworth]

It's basically a non-hardening rapid fixer. It will work fine. I would hesitate using it with color film after using it on black and white, however, since black and white films often deposit dyes in the fixer.

 

[hrst]

Color films also deposit dyes in the fixer . They are basically quite the same, but maybe better safe than sorry.

 

[Photo Engineer]

These dyes have no adverse effect on either type of film nor does the dye in indicator stop have any effect. Well, provided you wash well!

PE