Ilford Rapidfixer for film: solutions different from 1+4?

Thrain · Apr 27, 2018

Hey guys!!!
So... i have a last shot of Ilford Rapid fixer for my last tri-x, but i only have approx 30 ml for a needed 400 ml solution...
Which means a little more than the suggested 1+4 because I would otherwise need 10 more ml for the typical 40ml for 400 working sol.that i don't have!
My question is: can i fix the film with that amount?
I want to know if using a slightly different solution might ruon the film or work just fine anyway.
Since i need the film developed in 1 day and ordering online might not let me have the fixer in time... and the stores here are all closed, i have to come up with something!
Thanks in advance!

R.Gould · Apr 27, 2018

I am not 100% sure about Ilford as I don't use it but every fixer I use (Champion amfix/Tetenal fixer or Fotospeed fixer) can all be used at 1/9, you can use that dilution for fixing film, it just takes longer and the Ilford fixer I have used also gives 1/9 for paper so I see no reason that you can't fix film at 1/9

Thrain · Apr 27, 2018

R.Gould said:
I see no reason that you can't fix film at 1/9

So, in that case i should use the time suggested for 1+9 on the paper attached to the bottle right?

Doremus Scudder · Apr 27, 2018

Thrain said:
So, in that case i should use the time suggested for 1+9 on the paper attached to the bottle right?

No. Do a clearing test to determine your fixing time = at least twice the time it takes the film to clear. Personally, I fix film for longer than the 2x-clearing time for a number of reasons. A bit longer won't hurt, so err on the side of longer.

As for using weaker dilutions of fixer for film: Many modern films are more difficult to fix due to the use of silver iodides in the emulsion. It is really better to use 1+4 with Rapid Fixer if you can. That said, I corresponded with the Ilford tech department some years ago about using the weaker 1+9 dilution for film. The answer was that, yes, it will work, but with reduced capacity and longer fixing times. I'd recommend using as close to the 1+4 dilution as you can just to be sure.

Best,

Doremus

R.Gould · Apr 27, 2018

I agree with Doremus, 1/4 is much better for film, with 1/4 champion fixer I fix for 3 minutes, fresh or not quite so fresh, and I limit it to 8 or max 9 films per 600 ml, for 1/9 do a clear test, it could well be 6 or 9 minutes to fix film, It can be done in an emergency, but 1/4 is a better ratio
Richard

Thrain · Apr 27, 2018

Doremus Scudder said:
Many modern films are more difficult to fix due to the use of silver iodides in the emulsion

And if I fix a Kodak tri-x 400? Does it change drastically?

Doremus Scudder said:
It is really better to use 1+4 with Rapid Fixer if you can. ... it will work, but with reduced capacity and longer fixing times. I'd recommend using as close to the 1+4 dilution as you can just to be sure.

My bad, i have 60 ml instead of the 80 needed for a 400 ml solution....

That said, if I usually fix for 4 minutes, should i go for 6/7?

Huub · Apr 27, 2018

If you want to be sure: drop a stretch of a film leader into the fix and record the time it takes to clear. Double that time. But my guess is that with fresh fix 5 or 6 minutes will do nicely.

Thrain · Apr 27, 2018

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the useful tips <3

Thrain · Apr 27, 2018

Oh, one last thing... to test for 6-7 minutes i should drop the film leader for 3-4 minutes... without agitating, agitating all the time or like every 1 min?

R.Gould · Apr 27, 2018

Drop the film leader in the fixer, in an open tank/bowl, watch for how long it takes to clear,then double the time for the film, personally, to be safe, I would fix for 3 times as long, that is, if it takes 6 minutes to clear then I would fix for 18 minutes, at least, a little longer than standard is not a bad thing especialy with a more dilute fixer
Richard

fjpod · Apr 27, 2018

I use it 1+4 for everything. If you go 1+9 just go a little longer. As others have said, check how long it takes to clear a small clip of film and double or triple that.

Thrain · Apr 27, 2018

thank you again guys! You're all golden!!!

Ilford Rapidfixer for film: solutions different from 1+4?

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