Question about dividing blix from C41 kit into bleach and fix

mjbovee

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All the C41 kits for home processing that I've used contain three packets of powder: one for the developer and two that are intended to be mixed together for the blix. Rather than mix the hypo + sodium sulfite packet and the EDTA + PDTA + sodium sulfite packets into the same solution (blix), is there any reason not to mix these into separate bleach and fix solutions? I would imagine the shelf life of separated bleach and fix would be greater.
 

Donald Qualls

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I've seen videos on YouTube about this, and don't know of any for-certain reason it wouldn't work. The only concern I'd have is whether the pH of the two separate solutions comes out right. Bleach (modern type with EDTA/PDTA) should be a little acidic, to ensure any developer that gets into it is inactive (active developer in bleach can lead to strong color formation). C-41 fixer is normally mildly alkaline, unlike most B&W fixers which are acidic. The blix, mixed according to instructions, obviously can't be both; my guess would be that the fixer is allowed to be acidic rather than trying to keep the blix alkaline (and risk magenta film).
 
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mjbovee

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Good info, thanks!
 
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