Questions ... first time printing !

macgreg said:

I started printing yesterday and I have to say that I;m in love with the process !!

I use Ilford developer and fixer. The fixer is supposed to be able to fix about 80 RC 8x10 papers and I have only printed so far about 5 photos, 5x7. So, if I bottle the fixer it will last quite some time, right ? Same for the stop. I have one from Agfa, says it's indicating stop bath and I think it will change color under the safe light if gone bad. I might keep the developer too and see after how long it will start fading.

If I keep them in air tight bottles, in a dark, dry room, will they last long ? Or should I make new ones after some time, just to be sure ?

Click to expand...

Yep! I count a 5x7 as "1/2 of an 8x10" even though it's not quite that much. But if you count it that way it will be conservative and you'll make fresh fixer just a bit sooner.

Have fun!

OK ... that'a my Fixer bath after fixing about 15 papers. Although I tried to filter it as best as I could you can see how it is !!!

Should I leave it that way or make a new one for the next time ? I am already printing right now but I am a bit concerned. I keep the mixed chemicals in plastic water bottles. The Fixing solution though gets so messy ...

Anyone ???

As you've only fixed 15 papers and provided that the "bits " wash off the paper which they should in the wash then I wouldn't worry too much

I use a Nova Quad and because the trays are upright the bits fall into the bottom so are never seen until I do the occasional clean-up when the same black bits show up and in greater amounts that you show in the photo.

It might help if you use the recommended replenishment rate so instead of 1L and 70-80 sheets you pour out old fixer per whatever the rate is and top up with fresh. This might remove the bits but as I said I don't think that per se these need be of concern. Just don't try and over-use fixer.

Incidentally if you are using RC paper then I don't think that HCA is required but maybe others will chime in here. I certainly haven't bothered with HCA for RC paper. It helps remove fixer that otherwise can get into FB paper but RC paper doesn't neeed it. A 2-3 minute wash in running water is fine.

pentaxuser

What is your fixing time? Looks like you left the prints in long enough to remove silver, or you left the fixer in the tray for a few days. I use a neutral fixer and never have that issue.

I use illford fixer and I surely didn't use that mix for more than 15 papers. I fix for 1 min when I make the final print that will keep and about 30 sec if I make a test print.
These print were made in two separate sessions and the mix was kept in a plastic bottle. I also attached a pic of the bottle so that you can see how it looks like !! Basically, all that silver that is on the bottle's wall fall in the tray when I empty it.
I keep all my mixed solutions in bottles like that, not in an open tray.

The "bits" do wash off but still ....

This is the second mix I make since I started printing. The bottle looked like that from the first one, just the second day it was in the bottle !!

BTW, what is "sulfurization" ?

Anyone ?