Need hardener formula to add to paper fixer

[mckay3d]

I have a lot of Formulary Fixer 24 for paper but since I process more film than paper I would like to use the the Fixer 24 for film and have been looking for a formula for a hardener that can added to my fixer. I did find one in Patrick Dignan's book for Rapid Fix but am not sure it would be good with the Fixer 24.
Maurice

 

[Rick A]

You really don't need hardener for film.

 

[cliveh]

Amfix.

 

[Rudeofus]

Looking at the formula of Kodak F-24, which is presumably equivalent to Formulary's Fixer 24, I have the impression that this fixer is not enough acidic to make hardeners work. You would have to add 10-20 g/l Borax, Metaborate or Boric Acid (whichever you have at hand), then 15-25 g/l Potassium Alum (that's what hardens the emulsion), and finally Acetic Acid to bring pH down to 4.5-4.8. The last step is tricky unless you have a pH meter.

 

[Doremus Scudder]

I, too, question your "need" for a hardening fixer for film. I have never used one, and I process sheet film in batches by hand in trays and agitate by shuffling.

I would submit, however, that your F-24 fix (if it is indeed the Kodak formula) may be inadequate for more modern films and especially for Delta/T-Max films. An ammonium thiosulfate (e.g. "rapid") fix is best for modern film emulsions.

It doesn't seem all that hard to get a rapid fix to use for your film processing. Northern Utah isn't that isolated from the rest of the world

FWIW, I use Ilford Hypam or Rapid Fix. You can buy a separate hardener for the former if you find you really need it.

Or, you can just use one of the hardening formulas if you mix your own (F-6 is a nice odorless formula, there are others too).

Best,

Doremus

 

[Will S]

I recently asked the same question on largeformatphotgraphy about adox/efke sheet films and received numerous assurances that hardener is not required. And so far, it has not.

best,

Will

 

[mckay3d]

I decided to keep the F-24 fixer for prints and did buy some Kodafix. I just like to mix up my own chemicals from scratch. I am more into the nostalgia and the fun of doing it than making pictures for posterity. I'm old and when I go my stuff will end up in the trash, if not before.
M

I, too, question your "need" for a hardening fixer for film. I have never used one, and I process sheet film in batches by hand in trays and agitate by shuffling.

I would submit, however, that your F-24 fix (if it is indeed the Kodak formula) may be inadequate for more modern films and especially for Delta/T-Max films. An ammonium thiosulfate (e.g. "rapid") fix is best for modern film emulsions.

It doesn't seem all that hard to get a rapid fix to use for your film processing. Northern Utah isn't that isolated from the rest of the world

FWIW, I use Ilford Hypam or Rapid Fix. You can buy a separate hardener for the former if you find you really need it.

Or, you can just use one of the hardening formulas if you mix your own (F-6 is a nice odorless formula, there are others too).

Best,

Doremus