Difference between Ilford Paper Fixer and "usual" fixer that is used for both film and paper?

gone · Aug 26, 2022

You could try a backyard archival test Mike. Use the fixer on a print and a roll of film. The dilution factor for the film is probably in the ballpark of other paper developers. Then hang a neg strip and the print outside, next to a neg strip and print from your previous fixer. Just see what happens over a period of time and weather conditions.

But I'd sell the fixer, and put the money toward purchasing new film and paper fixers. It's just not worth the risk.

Mike Té · Aug 26, 2022

Craig said:
The tech sheet for Ilfospeed says working strenght solution should be between 5.0-5.5.

Digging around in my stuff looking for my litmus paper....

john_s · Aug 26, 2022

I think the the pdf for Ilfospeed (above) is not the tech details of the OP's older fixer. Being a standard fixer it would surprise me if the pH were not around 5.0 or 5.5. But what does surprise me is the the OP's fixer does not have any precipitate of elemental sulphur after all those years. Maybe some additional ingredient?

Craig · Aug 26, 2022

Here is the Ilfospeed and Ilfofix tech sheet. Circa 1990.

Mike Té · Aug 26, 2022

Craig said:
Here is the Ilfospeed and Ilfofix tech sheet. Circa 1990.

Thanks for this!

john_s · Aug 27, 2022

Craig said:
Here is the Ilfospeed and Ilfofix tech sheet. Circa 1990.

Thanks. No surprise that pH is at the usual 5 to 5.5 range. So what puzzles me is that the OP's bottles are clear.

bernard_L · Aug 27, 2022

Mike Té said:
1 + 3 dilution, time to clear was 35s.

That is what I get for recently bought, newly prepared rapid fixer. Enjoy!

Ian Grant · Aug 27, 2022

Neil Grant said:
are you sure?..the 1 litre bottles would go very far in filling up an Ilfospeed Roller Tranport. The rack themselves were very deep and wide (16 inch gate?) and there was also a replenishment tank underneath - so large it was mounted on castors. IIRC the contents of an entire 5 litre bootle would be needed to fill a rack and part of the rep tank.

From mmory there were some different sizes of smaller Ilfospeed processors, aimed more at the high end amateur/small professional market these replaced the Ilfoprint machine, I don't think they were sucessfull and only around avery short time. other companies also made small RT processors for RC paper. A UK importer and distributor John Blishen sold a VC-1614-VS a lcompact low price versatile processor, and in their 1982 BJP Annual advert say other sizes available.

The original Ilford liquid rapid fixer is Hypam itroduced in the 1950's, and it was buffered to use an optional hardener. It's likely that the Ilfospeed fixer became Ilford Rapid Fixer, Simon Galley stated that the only difference between Hypam and Ilford Rapid Fixer was the latter had reduced levels of buffering, making it cheaper to produce. To use a hardener you need a fixer with a high level of buffering as even a slight drop in pH has significan effect on the hardener efficiency.

Ian

Mike Té · Aug 27, 2022

momus said:
You could try a backyard archival test Mike. Use the fixer on a print and a roll of film. The dilution factor for the film is probably in the ballpark of other paper developers. Then hang a neg strip and the print outside, next to a neg strip and print from your previous fixer. Just see what happens over a period of time and weather conditions.

But I'd sell the fixer, and put the money toward purchasing new film and paper fixers. It's just not worth the risk.

Thanks for the suggestions. It would be a must to test like that.
You've succeeded in leaving a bit of doubt in my mind, though. : )
I think I'll donate the lot to one of the 2 teaching darkrooms in town, description of the tests, copy of the tech sheet included. They could use it for the learners.

snusmumriken · Aug 27, 2022

Ian Grant said:
From mmory there were some different sizes of smaller Ilfospeed processors, aimed more at the high end amateur/small professional market these replaced the Ilfoprint machine, I don't think they were sucessfull and only around avery short time. other companies also made small RT processors for RC paper. A UK importer and distributor John Blishen sold a VC-1614-VS a lcompact low price versatile processor, and in their 1982 BJP Annual advert say other sizes available.

The original Ilford liquid rapid fixer is Hypam itroduced in the 1950's, and it was buffered to use an optional hardener. It's likely that the Ilfospeed fixer became Ilford Rapid Fixer, Simon Galley stated that the only difference between Hypam and Ilford Rapid Fixer was the latter had reduced levels of buffering, making it cheaper to produce. To use a hardener you need a fixer with a high level of buffering as even a slight drop in pH has significan effect on the hardener efficiency.

Ian

Is that why it was called Hypam? Ammonium thiosulphate?

Ian Grant · Aug 28, 2022

snusmumriken said:
Is that why it was called Hypam? Ammonium thiosulphate?

I guess so, it makes sense. Like PQ Universal, Bromophen, Microphen, Phenprint, Monophen, Phenisol, Autopen etc. all the Phenidone based developers.

Ian

Mike Té · Aug 28, 2022

So, litmus paper found.
Looks pretty much 5-6.

Difference between Ilford Paper Fixer and "usual" fixer that is used for both film and paper?

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