Does Delta 400 exhaust fixer quicker?

RattyMouse · Nov 1, 2014

Kodak states that TMAX 400 exhausts fixer quicker than a regular film, due to it's T-Grain structure. Is the same true of Delta 400? I don't see any Inford reference to this fact.

grahamp · Nov 1, 2014

If you make a point of monitoring your fixer clearing time (about the only use I have for 35mm these day - I keep a spool handy and tear of a bit when I need it), you will know when it is getting too used up. I can't remember the last time I pushed a fix bath even close to the limit. I just make up fresh stock when I make up fresh developer stock. Plus I work with multiple formats, so tracking film area is just too much trouble.

Since fixer clears the undeveloped halide, the area of fixed film is going to vary with subject, and developed silver. I am not sure how a real world number for film area fixed could be calculated without some image baseline. Even with that, you would still need some sort of fudge factor to match your way of working.

pentaxuser · Nov 1, 2014

I haven't tested either film for fix life in any scientific way but my impression is that the Delta range isn't any different from other traditional Ilford films. I have always tended to change fixer more frequently with TMax films but simply because this is the perceived wisdom

Time I tested this wisdom with a fix tester solution.

pentaxuser

pentaxuser · Nov 1, 2014

Michael R 1974 said:
However, similar to the TMax films, Ilford recommends longer fixing times for Delta films than for traditional films (see "Processing" on page 6 of the Delta 400 technical information).

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I just had a look at the processing instructions for D400 and HP5 and Ilford seems to recommend 2-5 mins for both with no mention of Delta films needing longer fixing time.

I should add that I always give 5-6 mins for all films even when the fix is fresh on a "just-in-case and can't do any harm" basis

pentaxuser

GarageBoy · Nov 2, 2014

Does Fixer need to be stored in dark bottles? I hate the dark ones as I cannot see how much silver is floating around in the silver

RalphLambrecht · Nov 2, 2014

grahamp said:
If you make a point of monitoring your fixer clearing time (about the only use I have for 35mm these day - I keep a spool handy and tear of a bit when I need it), you will know when it is getting too used up. I can't remember the last time I pushed a fix bath even close to the limit. I just make up fresh stock when I make up fresh developer stock. Plus I work with multiple formats, so tracking film area is just too much trouble.

Since fixer clears the undeveloped halide, the area of fixed film is going to vary with subject, and developed silver. I am not sure how a real world number for film area fixed could be calculated without some image baseline. Even with that, you would still need some sort of fudge factor to match your way of working.

Good advise!Now add two-bath fixing to that and you won't have to worryabout underfixingYes, all tbular -grain films need a bit more care with fixingbut 2x 3 minutes in ffilm-strength fixer(the 2nd fixalways being fresh)will do the trick.

RalphLambrecht · Nov 2, 2014

silver floating around in what?

GarageBoy · Nov 7, 2014

Silver bits floating around in the fixer solution

Does Delta 400 exhaust fixer quicker?

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