How good is this technique for fixing film?

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Dear APUGers,

There's a technique for fixing film that I've been using for a long time and I'm wondering how many folks out there that are determining their fix time with the "double the time it takes your film to clear" method? Some recommend fixing film for a full 5 minutes all the time. Also, how many put hardener in their film fix?

 

[Anscojohn]

Ye olde labb ratz who taught me used the "twice the time" approach. That is what I do. Of course, I do not use rapid fixers (usually). F-24, which contains no hardener is what I use. They did not put me on a non-hardening fixer, tho.

 

[kevs]

Hi, Mainecoonmaniac, yes, 'twice the clearing time' is the technique I was taught, although I'm less disciplined normally. As long as there's no excess silver in the film, it's a fine technique. There's no reason to use a hardening fixer with modern films; it makes washing the film more difficult. Cheers.

 

[Jack Fisher]

I have always used the "Double Clearing Time" for fixing films. I use a clip from the film leader in a separate container with the lights on to judge the clearing time.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Hi, Mainecoonmaniac, yes, 'twice the clearing time' is the technique I was taught, although I'm less disciplined normally. As long as there's no excess silver in the film, it's a fine technique. There's no reason to use a hardening fixer with modern films; it makes washing the film more difficult. Cheers.

Thanks for the tip! So I've been doing good all those years . Do you ever get scratches on your film from not putting hardener in your fix?

 

[Anscojohn]

Thanks for the tip! So I've been doing good all those years . Do you ever get scratches on your film from not putting hardener in your fix?

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No.

 

[wclark5179]

Never use hardener.

I use Ilford Hypam and fix for 2 minutes with the can still closed, open up check and fix for 1 more minute. If it takes longer I replace the fixer.

I use either Sistan or Photo Flow and don't touch the negs with a squeegee, finners or anything else. I just hang & let 'em dry.

 

[brian steinberger]

I've never used hardener and I fix for 5 minutes. I've always done it this way.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

I'd say the 2 x clearing time works, unless you're using any of the fabricated grain films, such as Tmax, Acros, or Delta variations. They have pink dyes in them that are easier to wash out if you fix a little longer.

I agree to not use a hardener, and like Bill Clark above I use Ilford Hypam, and I always test my fixer with a film strip to make sure it clears quickly (within 40 seconds), and then I fix for 5 minutes. This has worked really well for me with Tmax films.

- Thomas

 

[Ian Grant]

Following Thomas's points I find the dye washes out of Delta films easily, but the fix/clearing times are longert han Foma or EFKE/Adox. Tmax films need much longer still to help remove the dyes.

Ian