• Welcome to Photrio!
    Registration is fast and free. Join today to unlock search, see fewer ads, and access all forum features.
    Click here to sign up

Did I ruin my fixer?

Dav305z

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Dec 20, 2016
Messages
2
Location
Detroit
Format
35mm
Mixed 1L of Kodak Rapid Fixer (without the hardener, per what I've read here) and was storing it in a 1L bottle. So far, so good. Only problem is I left the cap off accidentally after developing my last roll. For a day. Thankfully, it was in a room where pets don't go. Otherwise I'd be feeling even worse.

Is this mix still usable? I've only put two rolls and maybe three prints in it.
 

Gerald C Koch

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Jul 12, 2010
Messages
8,131
Location
Southern USA
Format
Multi Format
I really wouldn't worry. Fixer is rather robust. It would be subjected to a more adverse situation sitting in a tray for a day.
 

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Allowing Ads
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
55,167
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
Welcome to APUG.

The fixer won't likely be harmed by leaving the cap off that relatively short time.
However, it is unwise to use exactly the same working solution for both films and prints.
It is much better to mix up a litre for film, and another litre for prints, and to track separately their use.
Film and printing papers leave different byproducts in used fixer. And if you are printing on fibre based papers, they tend to leave other stuff as well.
 

StephenT

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Jan 21, 2014
Messages
309
Location
Carolinas
Format
Multi Format
It should be fine. Ditto the comment about keeping separate solutions for film and paper.
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,814
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format
Developer oxidizes and goes bad. Stop bath and fixer no, so you are good to go.

Welcome to APUG
 

Harry Stevens

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Dec 18, 2014
Messages
424
Location
East Midland
Format
Multi Format
I wish my paper developer lasted as long as my fixer did in a tray, also agree about seperate fixer solutions for paper and film.
 

Agulliver

Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2015
Messages
3,718
Location
Luton, United Kingdom
Format
Multi Format
I echo the comments about using a lower concentration for prints and keeping it in a separate bottle.

You can always perform a clearing test on a snippet of exposed (fogged) film eg. film leader. Take an inch or two of film from the beginning of a 35mm roll (assuming you use 35mm), place it in a container, pour over enough fixer to cover it...agitate by inverting or swilling every now and then and the film should clear - literally it goes from grey or brown to clear. If it does so in a minute or so (maybe 2 minutes for some films and fixers) then your fixer is good.

Rule of thumb....fix time is double clearing time.
 

HiHoSilver

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Sep 7, 2015
Messages
2,170
Format
Multi Format
'Glad you asked the questions, Dav. I've not had the issue yet, but the responses have been helpful.
 

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Allowing Ads
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
55,167
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
With respect to the clearing test: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register