Fixer turning white

[chandrastudios]

Two-bath fixing is generally recommended for fiber-base prints. It is not necessary for film and RC papers.

The idea is to extend fixer life by dividing it into two baths. The first bath does most of the fixing and ends up with most of the fixer by-products. The second bath finishes up the fixing and stays relatively pure, thus ensuring adequate fixing without having to change fixer so often.

The technique is: Make two fixing baths. Fix fiber-base prints in the first fix for half the total fixing time, drain and then fix in the second bath for the second half of fixing time. When throughput capacity for the volume of the first fixing bath has been reached (usually 30-40 8x10-inch prints per liter), discard the first bath, move the second bath into first-bath position and mix a new second bath. You can continue this cycle through five changes before needing to mix both baths new.

Hope this helps.

Doremus

thanks this is totally new to me...i'll keep this in mind.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

whats a two bath fixing method ?

Well, it is the only way to achieve archival processing; it is basically fixing twice, always finishing with a fresh bath preceded by a previously used but silver-content controlled bath.

 

[Doremus Scudder]

I'm hesitant to take issue with Ralph, but you can get an archival fix for fiber-base prints with one-bath fixation. It's just that the fixer capacity is greatly reduced. If the goal is to keep dissolved silver in the fixer under 0.5 g/liter (and some think this is too high), then no more than 10 8x10-inch prints can be fixed per liter. With two-bath fixation, one can double that throughput per liter and keep dissolved silver in the second fix well under the 0.5 g/liter mark.

Check out the Ilford document here: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...AQFnoECAoQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1UtnsEwdWtEiUcSXh1Asni It's well worth reading carefully.

Doremus

 

[chandrastudios]

I'm hesitant to take issue with Ralph, but you can get an archival fix for fiber-base prints with one-bath fixation. It's just that the fixer capacity is greatly reduced. If the goal is to keep dissolved silver in the fixer under 0.5 g/liter (and some think this is too high), then no more than 10 8x10-inch prints can be fixed per liter. With two-bath fixation, one can double that throughput per liter and keep dissolved silver in the second fix well under the 0.5 g/liter mark.

Check out the Ilford document here: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://assets.website-files.com/5ba2689b2e7121210bfa9af3/5c0ecc53472033a2b1b17efb_tech%20specs%20ilford%20rapid%20fixer.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiEz8e4ss2JAxVJweYEHXS8I7AQFnoECAoQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1UtnsEwdWtEiUcSXh1Asni It's well worth reading carefully.

Doremus

thanks..will go through