Does fixer strength affect neg quality ?

[pquser]

Been thinking about producing fine negatives and wondered if anyone knows
what effect the concentration of the fixer has on image quality.

Would for instance a more dillute fixer used for a longer time be less agressive and perhaps improve edge sharpness ?

I use Hypam at the recomended 1+4 and make it up fresh for each film.
at 20 c I give it 3 mins...ther fixer is then used up in the print baths.

I know you will say just try it and I will

But it would be silly not to ask the world if they have been there already.

 

[fschifano]

I've never noticed any difference. I suppose it's possible to destroy some deep shadow detail if you fix the film in overstrength fixer for an elongated interval. You'd have to leave the film in the fixer for a very long time - far longer than what is required for complete fixing. In practice, I've never seen it happen.

 

[Ian Grant]

Like the previous poster I've never seen a difference. I'm careful with my paper fixing, but I have to admit I'm far more likely to over-use my film fixer, no of films not time. The negatives I made while at school 40+ years ago are still fine and all made since.

My litre of Hypam (1+4) must have fixed at least 20 rolls of 120 Tmax400, FP4 & HP5 as well as about 80 sheets of 5x4.

Prints, well fibre based anyway, need fresh fixer because some of the equilibrium complexes formed between silver halides and thiosulphate get left in the paper base if the fixer has to high a silver content. Also the iodide content from film fixing can hinder good paper fixing.

Ian

 

[Photo Engineer]

An acid fixer used for too long or at too high a concentration will bleach fine detail in negatives. This is well documented in the literature.

So, for the best possible quality, use the proper dilution, times and wash rates.

PE

 

[dancqu]

Would for instance a more dillute fixer used
for a longer time be less agressive and
perhaps improve edge sharpness ?

I know you will say just try it and I will.

Try it. I regularly use fixer, film and prints, very dilute
one-shot. Processing 120, using 500ml solution volume,
20 ml of A. Thio. concentrate will do for most films.
That's 1:24. Likely any brand will yield the same
results. Slow though. Allow 10 minutes with
some regular agitation.

I won't make any claims for improved negatives.
Worth mentioning and in character with one-shot
chemistry are the very small amounts of byproducts
and their very great dilution. At 1:24 a film's retained
A. or S. Thiosulfate is minimal. An easy wash. Dan