Sodium thiosulfate

[eshotwell]

Simple question I hope...

Can Sodium thiosulfate by used by itself as a fixer for pyro negatives (tri-x 320 sheets)? I have the crystals but have no idea how to mix it.

edward@crgdirectories.com

 

[Ian Grant]

It can 240gm per litre of water. But it has no buffering capacity so isn't good for re-use.

Ian

 

[eshotwell]

Thanks Ian. Is that the working solution?

 

[kompressor]

Thanks Ian. Is that the working solution?

Ian, I have Sodium sulfite in a large bag. Can i use that for some good?

 

[Ian Grant]

Yes you could about 15 gms, but usually acetic acid or Metabisulphite is added as well. Have a look in e the Formulae/Recent Chems sectiotion here or on Unblinkingeye.

Ian

 

[Anon Ymous]

Yes you could about 15 gms, but usually acetic acid or Metabisulphite is added as well...

Isn't acetic acid or sodium metabisulfite added in case you want to use a hardener as well? If that's true, sodium sulfite is the only thing required to make it reusable.

 

[dancqu]

Use It Straight

Simple question I hope... Can Sodium thiosulfate by used
by itself as a fixer for pyro negatives (tri-x 320 sheets)?
I have the crystals but have no idea how to mix it.
edward@crgdirectories.com

That's all I use, film or paper, sodium thiosulfate unadulterated.
I mix fresh for the session. I do know that it can be bottled for
at least a few days storage but don't bother because there
is nothing to it to have fresh at time of use.

There two of the sodiums, anhydrous and the penta hydrate.
Full strength, which I never use, calls for 240 to 250 grams
of the penta or 150 to 160 grams of the anhydrous. You'll
know which one you've got by a chilling of the solution
on dissolving the penta.

For a roll of 120 I use 16 grams of the anhydrous. That
would be 25 grams of the penta. Slow but fresh each
roll and when done, down the drain. Dan

 

[mike c]

dancqu,is penta the crystals that look like rice grains , anhydrous is dried powder?

Mike

 

[McFortner]

Penta is the large crystals. Like Dan, it's all I use right now. About 2/3 of a cup per 2 liters of water. My average fix time is about 8 minutes (depending on clip test). Sure, it's not as fast as other fixers, but it's more friendly to the environment and my septic tank.

Michael

 

[dancqu]

Anhydrous

dancqu,is penta the crystals that look like rice
grains, anhydrous is dried powder? Mike

Anhydrous finely granular, penta coarsely.
The penta is about 1/3 water and endothermic.

With prints I use sodium thiosulfate very dilute
one-shot. Minimum solution volumes help maintain
good chemical mileage and reasonable times.

Works well when single tray processing; great where
short of space. A BIG plus with prints and likely film
is the very low levels of silver in the fix;
'archival' levels. Dan

 

[Herzeleid]

What happens to the PH if sodium thiosulfate is mixed with acetic acid, metabisulphite or sodium sulfate? Will it be good for pyro developed negatives then?

 

[mike c]

rice fixer

Anhydrous finely granular, penta coarsely.
The penta is about 1/3 water and endothermic.

With prints I use sodium thiosulfate very dilute
one-shot. Minimum solution volumes help maintain
good chemical mileage and reasonable times.

Works well when single tray processing; great where
short of space. A BIG plus with prints and likely film
is the very low levels of silver in the fix;
'archival' levels. Dan

Thanks Dan,I'm just starting to use it now with selenium toning on advise from a printing class . All though still using Formulary T5 fixer for film.

 

[juan]

I mix TF-2 for pyro negatives - 240g sodium thiosulfate, 15g sodium sulfite, 10g sodium metaborate in a liter of water. This will keep for a good while.
juan