Justin,
My prints rarely show any discoloration whatsoever... However, I use the KRST test more than ST-1 these days. So, a couple of questions:
First, have you established a benchmark, i.e., run a print through two baths of fresh fixer for the recommended time plus a bit each and then washed thoroughly and then done the ST-1 test to get a standard discolored patch on a print that's definitely been fixed adequately? I think that's important to do. Then you can compare the tests on later prints to your benchmark. Keep in mind, you can't do this directly, since the spot will continue to darken with time; it needs to be evaluated within three minutes or so to be accurate, so something like the HT-2 estimator strip is helpful to have around. You can compare the stain to it and then use it to compare to future tests. You really need to do this to establish what you're comparing to for a given paper and test time.
Still, I would think that 35 11x14s through two liters of fix one and two liters of fix two should yield prints that are adequately fixed. The intensity of the stain from the test depends on the time it's left on and the paper you are testing. Washing thoroughly before the test is important too, Did you do that? That's why ST-1 and HT-2 go together as a testing duo. If you get stains from both ST-1 and HT-2 then it's likely just the wash that's inadequate. A clean HT-2 test but a stain with ST-1 indicates inadequate fixing (compared to your benchmark, of course). Both stains clean and you're good to go in all respects.
Let us know how it goes,
Doremus
My prints rarely show any discoloration whatsoever... However, I use the KRST test more than ST-1 these days. So, a couple of questions:
First, have you established a benchmark, i.e., run a print through two baths of fresh fixer for the recommended time plus a bit each and then washed thoroughly and then done the ST-1 test to get a standard discolored patch on a print that's definitely been fixed adequately? I think that's important to do. Then you can compare the tests on later prints to your benchmark. Keep in mind, you can't do this directly, since the spot will continue to darken with time; it needs to be evaluated within three minutes or so to be accurate, so something like the HT-2 estimator strip is helpful to have around. You can compare the stain to it and then use it to compare to future tests. You really need to do this to establish what you're comparing to for a given paper and test time.
Still, I would think that 35 11x14s through two liters of fix one and two liters of fix two should yield prints that are adequately fixed. The intensity of the stain from the test depends on the time it's left on and the paper you are testing. Washing thoroughly before the test is important too, Did you do that? That's why ST-1 and HT-2 go together as a testing duo. If you get stains from both ST-1 and HT-2 then it's likely just the wash that's inadequate. A clean HT-2 test but a stain with ST-1 indicates inadequate fixing (compared to your benchmark, of course). Both stains clean and you're good to go in all respects.
Let us know how it goes,
Doremus
