Does bleach work with rapid fixer?

Jon Shiu · Nov 20, 2004

Hi, I want to use some pot. ferricyanide to bleach in combination with fixer. Plain hypo (sodium thiosulfate) is recommended. Was wondering if Ilford rapid fix would work, since I don't have plain hypo right now? I plan on mixing a small amount and using a brush.

Jon

Jorge · Nov 20, 2004

Yes it does, it what I use, but it does exhaust the ferri faster.

philldresser · Nov 20, 2004

Guys

Excuse my simple question but what is the benefit of mixing bleach and fix?

Phill

Jorge · Nov 20, 2004

philldresser said:
Guys

Excuse my simple question but what is the benefit of mixing bleach and fix?

Phill

Two different reactions. If you bleach with ferri only, you can redevelop the print/negative, if you bleach with ferri/fix you completely remove the silver and the process is irreversible. Also the action is faster.

Jon Shiu · Nov 20, 2004

I think with fix added may be less prone to yellow staining also.

philldresser · Nov 20, 2004

Jorge

Apols for the 'basic' question, but my knowledge of this practice is non-existent as I have never played with bleach. So I was even unaware you could re-develop. I assume then with fixer you need to be 'very' careful not to over do it. Interestingly I have a print from last weeks EM10 trials that requires a highlight sparkle.

Thats what I love about analogue I think I will try some pot ferri if I can find some.

Phill

Jorge · Nov 20, 2004

No apology needed Phil....good luck with the bleaching.

Jon Shiu · Nov 20, 2004

Thanks for your help Jorge. Will give it a try.

Jon

hortense · Nov 20, 2004

I use 24ml 17% hypo, 24ml water, and 1/8 tsp KFcyanide. Vary the later to regulate how fast you want the bleach to work. Keep as stream of water immediately below the area you are bleaching. Periodically run water over bleach area. Every few minutes, immerse in fixer for 1-minute before return to bleaching. Bruce Barnbaum's book, "The Art of Photography", has a complete discussion on this - and, it is a very good book for photographer to have in their library.

philldresser · Nov 21, 2004

hortense said:
Bruce Barnbaum's book, "The Art of Photography", has a complete discussion on this - and, it is a very good book for photographer to have in their library.

Excellent, I ordered a copy last week and its winging its way to me as I write

Thanks to all for the info and to Jon for the thread

Phill

photomc · Nov 21, 2004

I concur, this and a couple of Tim Rudmons books are must have for anyone interested in photography.

How does the process compare to Farmers? I mixed some Farmers up that was 'old' and it really does not really do much at all..how fast should it react?

Jon Shiu · Nov 21, 2004

Hi Mike, John Sexton recommends mixing Farmers at 4x strength, ie mix each of A and B so that they are 1/4 volume of recommended. Then, mix a small amounts of A with B to bleach. It is supposed to last only 15min before losing strength, but we have found it lasts longer.

Does bleach work with rapid fixer?

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