Photographers' Formulary FT-1 Fixer Tester

[AnselAdamsX]

Will Photographers' Formulary FT-1 Fixer Tester indicate the fixer is bad from age/oxidation/contamination or just exhaustion?
I mixed a gal of Kodafix (1:3). I fixed one roll of 120 film (ADOX CMS in Pyrocat-MC) no problem but the second roll (Tri-X 320 in D76) doesn't look 100% fixed. I see a very very light pink tone. I fixed for 5 minutes in each case.

Thanks
Chris

 

[cjbecker]

I have never used the ft-1, i almost bought it last time or ordered from them. I just decided to keep using the clip test for the fixer. For mine if the clip clears in less then 30 seconds (normally around 20 for me) the fixer is still good.

Do you see the pink tones after you washed?

 

[George Collier]

It's been awhile since I've used Tri-x and never Adox, so I can't help you there, but you are also comparing two different films, which may not be the same even if properly fixed.

 

[AnselAdamsX]

I have never used the ft-1, i almost bought it last time or ordered from them. I just decided to keep using the clip test for the fixer. For mine if the clip clears in less then 30 seconds (normally around 20 for me) the fixer is still good.

Do you see the pink tones after you washed?

It was washed and dried. I have developed Tri-X before and this roll doesn't look the same.

 

[Photo Engineer]

The fixer test only checks if the fixer is exhausted. And, at that, it is a very qualitative test that you must learn to use properly with experience.

Tri-X can appear pink after processing in some fixers and with some wash conditions. It is a retained dye that caused a blue - pink color in some Kodak (and other mfgrs) films. Re-fix and then re-wash. But, even if you don't re-treat, the film is probably OK.

PE

 

[MattKing]

You probably know this, but just in case...

It makes better sense to leave Kodafix at its stock dilution - just mix up part of it (your regular working quantity) at your working dilution, and then use/re-use that working quantity the appropriate number of times.

The stock solution (or in the case of liquid Kodafix, the solution that comes from the manufacturer) keeps much better than the diluted solution. Two one litre/quart bottles also take up much less space than a gallon container.