TF-4 newbie

[ScottH]

Hi All,

I recently decided to take the plunge and try TF-4 so I can work more "easily" with FB paper in my very small, dry darkroom. My washing procedure at this time consists of small tubs, permawash, dump n fill, and a lot of time. This evening I mixed up some TF-4 fixer, and noticed the amount of sediment on the bottom. Having read the directions I'm well aware that the stock sltn needs to be well mixed with distilled water. I'm wondering to what extent the working solution will also settle, as I use Nova slot processors.

 

[MikeSeb]

A quick stir or shake will cure the problem. And you can dump your Permawash--won't need it with TF-4.

 

[ScottH]

Thanks Mike. I figured. Now I just need to find a stir stick...

 

[vet173]

It will be no problem. Once it is in working solution it will be like any other fixer. It wont seperate or settle like stock solution.

 

[ScottH]

Oh, one related question I should've asked initially. Will the fixer test drops (for silver 'saturation') work in this as they do in Rapid Fix? Can you tell I'm not much of a chemist? Not a big deal, as I use fresh chem's for final prints anyway.

As an aside, I'm pretty happy with this so far. Wash times are way down, testing via the Formulary's test drops.

 

[jim appleyard]

If you mean the drops to test if the fixer is still good, I use Edwal's Hypo Check. You can also take the leader of a roll of film (you have to cut it off anyway to load onto a reel) and throw it in the fix. If it clears in about 1 minute, your fix is good.