My first Gallon of TF5 is now 4 years old in its original jug with nothing added to preserve it stored in my garage. Still works but only have enough for about 1 or 2 more sessions out of it. If you use it infrequently buy smaller containers and distribute the stock. TF4 was good for over two years but would always settle and require remixing. You can buy smaller quantities of Ilford Rapid for infrequent use too.
Non rapid fixers struggle with T-Max and Delta films.
Struggle? You mean need longer times?
And lose capacity really quickly - leaving you vulnerable to incomplete fixing.
Will get rapid fixer for TMax/delta films. Do you advise to mix all the liquid concentrate for longer storage?
I never have. Given your concerns, I would just decant the concentrate into smaller, good quality bottles - glass would be perfect (but slippery and breakable).
I re-use the working strength solution for ~ 75% of the number of rolls that the manufacturer's recommendations indicate - monitored by doing a clip test for each roll of film I develop. I use a clip of T-Max film for the tests.
And for fixers like Kodak Rapid fixer, I do not add the hardener.
In case you haven't seen it, here is my approach to fixing film: https://www.photrio.com/forum/resou...ixing-procedure-for-black-white-negatives.75/
I see no reason, why crystals, which fix slowlier, should not also develop slowlier, and I see no reason, why anyone would want to make a crystal, which is hard to develop. Therefore I would not expect this to actually happen in flat grain emulsions.
Can it stain my films?
Thanks.Nope, not if you rinse the film afterwards.
Here is color of the eco natural fixer after 3 rolls of tmax 2 triX and 1 ADOX CMSII.
After fresh stop bath for 1 minute.
Can it stain my films?
I have been scaning my black and white like color and somewhat like the results. TMax and TriX Blue/Purplish. ADOX is pink. Have not scanned it yet.
What you're seeing is mostly the carryover of stop bath to your fixer. The stop bath has an indicator dye (bromocresol purple) that is yellow at acidic pH and gradually turns to purple when in neutral pH solutions. There's also some of the film's dye in there, which will gradually fade. This film dye washes away during washing and it is very evident if you leave film soak for 10-15'.
It never happened before using the same Xtol developer and Kodak stop bath with Kodak and Milford rapid fixer.
It must be something the Eco fixer does...
It never happened before using the same Xtol developer and Kodak stop bath with Kodak and Milford rapid fixer.
It must be something the Eco fixer does...
The indicator is telling you that your fixer is (slightly) alkaline. If your stop bath turns alkaline, it is used up - that is what the indicator is there to tell you. But once the indicator gets into the fixer, you are glad that the indicator turns purple, because it tells you that your fixer is exactly what it is intended to be.
Thanks.
And if my stop is dying it will turn purple as well?
Maybe I missed it but didn't see anyone mention the ADOX powder "express" fixers: https://www.fotoimpex.com/chemistry...er-fixer-to-mix-1000-ml.html?cache=1670694866 . Presumably also using sodium thiosulfate and something like ammonium chloride rather than ammonium thiosulfate.
These are cheap and ought to keep for ages.
Along the same lines, if you are willing to mix from scratch, I've had very good experience with @Rudeofus excellent fixer: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/a-neutral-quick-fixer-formula.157021/ . That's *even* cheaper and is available to easily mix any time you feel like it.
I use Photographers Formulary TF-5 Archival Fix, it lasts a very long time. It takes me over a year to go through a one liter bottle of concentrate which will make 4 liters of solution. I only mix up a new batch because it gets gunky from all the silver, not because it stops working. I don't do anything special to store it.
https://stores.photoformulary.com/tf-5-archival-fix/
Oh yeah sorry, didn’t think you were being cheap. Was just emphasizing that it was inexpensive to use dry fixers and they last a long time, too. Hope it helpedI love adox . Will check it out.
Quick note on the word "Cheaper".
The whole idea of this post was how much money I waist dumping fixer.
I am not a lab and I don't process a bunch.
I dont mind paying more for chemicals that can last me 2 years considering how long a fixer can last.
So if the fixer is only one powder and not mix of 2 like Xtol can I mix as I go and store the fixer powder?Oh yeah sorry, didn’t think you were being cheap. Was just emphasizing that it was inexpensive to use dry fixers and they last a long time, too. Hope it helped
So if the fixer is only one powder and not mix of 2 like Xtol can I mix as I go and store the fixer powder?
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