how do i refix prints?

[fluffy_penguins]

hi, i need to refix some old prints for a workshop tomorrow (hiya tim, fintan and thefizz)

so i know i have to soak 'em 5 minutes, then plonk in some fresh fix, then wash.

my question is ... can i do this with the regular lights on, or do i need a safe light? thks, and sorry if this is a dumb question,

catherine

 

[Rob Archer]

Not a dumb question at all! You can do it with the lights on ( depending on how badly fixed or not they were in the first place!) If they show signs of fading it's probably too late anyway.

Rob

 

[fluffy_penguins]

thanks for the speedy response!

catherine

 

[tim rudman]

may I call you 'Fluffy'? ;-)
Room light is fine
Wash well though and hypoclear if you have the chance. Don't worry if you can't

See you tomorrow
Tim

 

[dancqu]

Room light is fine ... Tim

Perhaps I misinterpret the question but to my
mind the need to re-fix is due to silver halides
retained in the emulsion. Such are sensitive
to light and can print-out when exposed to
light.

I've deliberately under fixed and by so doing have
produced very pleasant 'warm tone' papers of
otherwise snow whites. Dan

 

[srs5694]

Perhaps I misinterpret the question but to my mind the need to re-fix is due to silver halides retained in the emulsion. Such are sensitive to light and can print-out when exposed to light.

If I'm wrong, somebody please correct me, but if a paper is underfixed and therefore darkens when exposed to light, the damage will be done as soon as the print is exposed to light for enough time. Light present during a subsequent re-fixing will be irrelevant; AFAIK, the paper isn't any more sensitive to light during a second dunk in the fixer than it had been when exposed to light between fixes. Thus, the only case I can think of where re-fixing should be done under safelights is if the paper had never been exposed to normal lighting conditions.

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

Perhaps I misinterpret the question but to my
mind the need to re-fix is due to silver halides
retained in the emulsion. Such are sensitive
to light and can print-out when exposed to
light.

I've deliberately under fixed and by so doing have
produced very pleasant 'warm tone' papers of
otherwise snow whites. Dan

Au fait, have you re-fixed the print, once it acquired the adequate tone? I've noticed the same thing, but the warmth disappears in the fixer.

 

[dancqu]

Au fait, have you re-fixed the print, once it acquired
the adequate tone? I've noticed the same thing, but the
warmth disappears in the fixer.

Not clear. I've noticed paper tones which can be
described as pleasantly warm to very distractingly
warm if under fixed. Those tones after fixing. Perhaps
a useful technique for some one seeking a warm tone
paper from an other wise snow white.

Some papers are left with a dirty gray. Papers show
color after fixing and some exposure to light. I've not
tested but believe with no exposure no color. Dan

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

Not clear. I've noticed paper tones which can be
described as pleasantly warm to very distractingly
warm if under fixed. Those tones after fixing. Perhaps
a useful technique for some one seeking a warm tone
paper from an other wise snow white.

Some papers are left with a dirty gray. Papers show
color after fixing and some exposure to light. I've not
tested but believe with no exposure no color. Dan

But the resulting color is not permanent, right? It will eventually darken completely under exposure to light.

 

[dancqu]

But the resulting color is not permanent, right?
It will eventually darken completely under
exposure to light.

I've not noticed any darkening. The paper is fixed
but not completely. No reason it should take on more
than a light shade of color if so fixed. Dan