Odourless Fixer - is there a demand??

tom_bw · Jun 6, 2012

Hi all:

Ilford has odourless stop bath (citric acid based). That leaves fixer as the only really smelly chemical. Unfortunately, it is getting harder to find such formulations (e.g. based on F-6 formula).

Just out of curiosity, are there others out there who would appreciate the availability of odourless fixer by someone such as Ilford (i.e. so it is easier to get worldwide).

Thanks!

Robert Hall · Jun 6, 2012

Are you nuts?

That's the entire reason I go in to the darkroom!

Brian C. Miller · Jun 6, 2012

Clayton and Arista (from Freestyle) produce an ordorless fixer.

donkee · Jun 6, 2012

Call me nuts but, I love the smell of fixer!

ruilourosa · Jun 6, 2012

i make rapid odourless fixer for me and my school!!!

1liter:
sodium thiosulfate - 200gr
ammonium chloride - 40gr
sodium metabisulfite -20gr
borax - 20 gr

it´s just mildly acidic and has a very faint acidic smell, it can be used to paper or film, i use it undiluted as is dirt cheap

yeknom02 · Jun 6, 2012

I've only used Zonal Pro (Alta) rapid fixer. I'm not sure how smelly it is. Basically, my goal is always to find the cheapest non-hardening rapid fixer around and just use it.

Aurelien · Jun 6, 2012

Tetenal also makes odourless fixer.

chimneyfinder · Jun 6, 2012

Also, Rollei RXN Odourless Fixer.

Mark Walker.

damonff · Jun 6, 2012

I also love the smell!

john_s · Jun 6, 2012

Readily available is Kodak Flexicolor Fixer, made for colour processing but a nice near-neutral rapid fixer. Slightly acid, bit odour is very much diminished compared to acid "black and white" fixers. It's cheaper, too.

And don't worry, your darkroom still smells like a darkroom, just less obtrusive when you're near the fixer tray.

bdial · Jun 6, 2012

I'm currently using Kodak Flexicolor, as John says, it's almost odorless, at least to my nose. So is Ilford Hypam.

I don't notice much odor of anything in my darkroom except when I open my jug of glacial acetic acid, but maybe I'm like a farmer in his barn and just to used to it to notice.

To answer the question, no I wouldn't seek out an odorless fix, since there are already products available that are close enough.
On the other hand, I will not buy TF-4 again because of its ammonia odor.

RalphLambrecht · Jun 6, 2012

no need.i like the smell of fxer. not quite the same without it.

tom_bw · Jun 6, 2012

Thanks for all the help. Based on some of the replies, I am getting the feeling there would be a greater market for a hyper smelly fixer that there would be for an odourless one

BrendanCarlson · Jun 6, 2012

Let's be honest now... we all love the smell of fixer.

Thomas Bertilsson · Jun 6, 2012

If you think fixer is smelly, wait until you try sepia (or other sulfide) toners. It's not even a close contest. They flat out smell disgusting.

BrendanCarlson · Jun 6, 2012

Or old redeveloper from the tmax direct positive kit... ugh.

Rudeofus · Jun 7, 2012

tom_bw said:
Thanks for all the help. Based on some of the replies, I am getting the feeling there would be a greater market for a hyper smelly fixer that there would be for an odourless one

I'd rather say that smelly fixers are so unpopular that pretty much all you get nowadays is next to odorless, unless one has special requirements like high/low pH. Some vendors advertise this more than others.

Steve Roberts · Jun 7, 2012

If I wanted odourless photography I'd have gone d*****l years ago!
Steve

cinejerk · Jun 7, 2012

Sometimes you just have to use the chemicals that do the job properly !!! Even if it offends your sensitive nose

Diapositivo · Jun 7, 2012

Real men don't use deodorants and don't use odourless fixers. Real men smell.

cmo · Jun 7, 2012

My darkroom is tiny. I only use chemicals that are almost odorless. Citric acid stop bath was the first, then I started using odorless fixers. Here in Europe there is also Amaloco X89 and Moersch's ATS fixer.

But of course.... see my signature.

AFenvy · Jun 7, 2012

Since my darkroom is in my closet, I use Clayton odorless fixer and a water stop bath. Rodinal has a very slight smell, but not particularly notable. Especially since the space is small I have to keep strong smells to a minimum.

Odourless Fixer - is there a demand??

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