Ilford Hypam problem

NB23 · Nov 10, 2019

I’ve had this 5 Liter Ilford Hypam concentrate bottle for about 10 years, unopened.

I have noticed some kind of separation with about 1//2 inch of hard deposit at the bottom of the bottle. I’ve managed to break it into small particles by hitting, moving and he shaking the bottle.

However, the particles aren’t dissolving but merely floating.

I have mixed a working solution and it seems to be fixing my film just fine. However, since the particles aren’t dissolved, my guess is I should mix for a few extra minutes.

Also, I will add that the working solution (1:4) has a strong sulfur smell and is somewhat milky.

What should I do? Throw the 5 Liter stock solution?

Use it up? Mix1:3 instead of 1:4?

Is there a chance that my films don’t get a proper archival fix?

RalphLambrecht · Nov 10, 2019

NB23 said:
I’ve had this 5 Liter Ilford Hypam concentrate bottle for about 10 years, unopened.

I have noticed some kind of separation with about 1//2 inch of hard deposit at the bottom of the bottle. I’ve managed to break it into small particles by hitting, moving and he shaking the bottle.

However, the particles aren’t dissolving but merely floating.

I have mixed a working solution and it seems to be fixing my film just fine. However, since the particles aren’t dissolved, my guess is I should mix for a few extra minutes.

Also, I will add that the working solution (1:4) has a strong sulfur smell and is somewhat milky.

What should I do? Throw the 5 Liter stock solution?

Use it up? Mix1:3 instead of 1:4?

Is there a chance that my films don’t get a proper archival fix?

the fixer is shot and you need to get new.However, when this happened to me, I just filtered it through a coffee filter and it worked just fine.

NB23 · Nov 10, 2019

RalphLambrecht said:
the fixer is shot and you need to get new.However, when this happened to me, I just filtered it through a coffee filter and it worked just fine.

Ooookayyyyyy.... so in other words you want me to send it to you.

adelorenzo · Nov 10, 2019

I was given a couple dozen 500ml bottles of Rapid Fixer that were quite old. They were all similar with the solid flakes and stronger smell. I used them all up and they worked fine. I just ignored the flakes didn't even bother trying to remove them.

NB23 · Nov 10, 2019

Ralph and Adelirenzo,

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

How did your negatives keep up over time? Have they yellowed? Faded? Started to degrade?

Andrew O'Neill · Nov 11, 2019

I would just filter it. I've done that with old Ilford Rapid fixer and all was well.

mshchem · Nov 11, 2019

It sulfur from that beautiful fixer oxidizing over time. I would definitely get rid of it. Life is to short to waste your precious time and film. I have had the same thing happen to me. Fixer is cheap.

koraks · Nov 11, 2019

There's a risk of fog from silver sulfide being created. I'd not risk it.

Tom Kershaw · Nov 11, 2019

I've used older fixer in perfect condition without a problem, anything as described here I'd not use - hard deposits etc.

Pat Erson · Nov 11, 2019

The Gospel according to Ilford says :
"Thou shall keep an unopened Hypam bottle for 24 months max".

Can't you use this fixer as a garden fertilizer instead?

NB23 · Nov 11, 2019

Yes, film looks a little fogged, but it’s still fixed.

But what about paper, then?

NB23 · Nov 11, 2019

Pat Erson said:
The Gospel according to Ilford says :
"Thou shall keep an unopened Hypam bottle for 24 months max".

Can't you use this fixer as a garden fertilizer instead?

I’m perplexed: there is no date on the bottle.

What does the Ilford Gospel say for their Ilfotec-hc developer? ... And DD-x and ilfosol-3?

What if you buy old stock from vendors? There is absolutely no way to know how old a bottle of anything Ilford actually is.

koraks · Nov 11, 2019

NB23 said:
Yes, film looks a little fogged, but it’s still fixed.

But what about paper, then?

Same problem, but the fog will be more problematic in a positive obviously.
You may want to double check if the film was actually fixed properly/entirely. Actually, I stand by my earlier remark to better not use this fixer anymore, especially for film...(at least if you want the negatives to last)

RalphLambrecht · Nov 11, 2019

NB23 said:
Ooookayyyyyy.... so in other words you want me to send it to you.

No, my coffee filter may not suit your needs. You have to take your own.

Doremus Scudder · Nov 11, 2019

10 years of storage... Sorry, your fixer is likely toast. Still, if you want to check for yourself, filter out the precipitate (sulfur - it won't redissolve), mix a small amount of working solution and do a clip test. Clearing time for conventional films should be about 30 seconds, 40-45 seconds for T-Max/Delta. If times are significantly longer than this, don't use the fix.

Best,

Doremus

kevs · Nov 11, 2019

I've had this happen myself, it was some fixer left over from an old RA-4 kit. I just used it for film and paper fixing. The only problem I had was tiny sulphur crystals sticking to my negatives, which I cleaned off. The negs were fine and probably still are. If you filter out the crystals or decant the liquid off you shouldn't have a problem.

If the film-leader test works, I would keep and use the fixer, filter out the crystals. Five litres is a lot to throw away. You could use it for your first fixing bath, then use freshly-bought fixer for the second bath. Or mix it 1:1 with fresh concentrate when making a new batch. Or clean the drains with it...

Cheers,
kevs

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