Can you fix a second time, or re-fix?

[Kirks518]

Doing some developing of color in B&W chemicals (I know I'll only get a B&W negative), and they are extremely dense. Is it possible I didn't fix long enough? If so, can I re-fix? Or would it be more likely an over-developing issue? The two rolls were out of different cameras (new cameras to me that had exposed rolls in them), so probably not an over/under exposure issue in camera. One roll I can see frame lines, but they're very dense/dark, other roll I see nothing. Fixer is reused, so it may be done with, but I've only run 3 rolls through the fixer up until these two.

Rolls are hanging now drying, so I'm hoping to get a reply quickly.

Thanks!

 

[ambaker]

Yes you can re-fix film.

Re-wash to get it wet, then fix again and complete the process.

 

[Kirks518]

Thanks!

 

[mopar_guy]

I would do a pre soak for about 30-60 seconds and then re-fix.

 

[polyglot]

If you're concerned about under-fixing, try to get them dried in the dark as that will reduce the rate of printing-out (underfixed areas spontaneously and irreversibly turning into silver).

When you say dense, do you mean that the images are dense or the rebate of the film is dense/milky? If the images are too dense (lots of silver present due to over-exposure or over-development) then more fixing will not help with that. If the films are really old or have been very hot, they could be fogged, which would cause a lot of background silver density.

On your second roll when you say you see nothing, do you mean that you see no images or edge markings? That means either the development has failed (clear film) or the film was fogged (black film). Fixing more will not help either case.

Assuming your fixer is Rapid Fixer / Hypam, the working solution is good for 20 rolls per litre (less with TMAX) after being mixed at 1+4 (20%).

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Doing some developing of color in B&W chemicals (I know I'll only get a B&W negative), and they are extremely dense. Is it possible I didn't fix long enough? If so, can I re-fix? Or would it be more likely an over-developing issue? The two rolls were out of different cameras (new cameras to me that had exposed rolls in them), so probably not an over/under exposure issue in camera. One roll I can see frame lines, but they're very dense/dark, other roll I see nothing. Fixer is reused, so it may be done with, but I've only run 3 rolls through the fixer up until these two.

Rolls are hanging now drying, so I'm hoping to get a reply quickly.

Thanks!

take a look at the shadow areas.if they are too dense too,then it is a case of overexposure,otherwise you may have developed too longand,yes, you can refix but, don't expect wonders.you can also try to bleach in Farmers R
educerbut thatwill increase the overal contrast of the negative.In any event ,You may be fine as is just have to deal with long exposures under the enlargerand soft paper grades.Maybe you foundthe secretto lots of shadow detaiol.Don't give up on these negs yet.

 

[Kirks518]

I tossed them. The second fix didn't help, and I think I over-developed. By using a loupe and a flashlight, I could tell that one roll was from someone's cruise vacation (really boring snaps), and the other had about 4 images (film was torn in camera), and of those, they looked like a backyard and someone's shoes. Nothing to get excited about.

last time I developed color film (C-41) in B&W chems, I developed for 12 mins at 76°F, and they came out fine. This time I did 14 mins at 70°. Both times were HC-110 Dil A (1:15). Maybe I should have just stayed with the 12 minutes even at the lower temp? The rebate was really really dense/dark as well on this most recent roll.