TF5 concentrate, stock, and working solution

[Curt]

I mix my TF5 in a container with a floating lid as a stock solution. I mix it with a Plexiglas paddle that has holes in it to reduce air entrainment. I give it a stir before I measure it out for a working solution.

How many make a stock solution, measure out an amount and make a working solution when needed?

How many make a working solution directly from the concentrate in the original container?

I buy it in the one gallon containers that makes a 16 liters of stock.

The stock solution which has a shelf life of 1 year is diluted 1:3 to make the working solution. The working solution has a shelf life of 6 months.

Curt

 

[markbarendt]

I mix what I need as I go.

 

[bdial]

I mix what I need as I go.

This is my method too. Works good.

 

[Curt]

I mix what I need as I go.

Where are you going?

Do you shake the jug a lot to get the concentrate mixed up, any problems there, and is it good to the last drop? I can see that it's an advantage for temperature. In the mixed stock it's at room temperature but then again, or is that there again, it's diluted 1:3 so that's not a huge factor. Mixing from concentrate does seem like an excellent storage method. I may just do that myself.

Thanks!

Curt

On a side note, what about Kodak Rapid Fixer without the hardener?

 

[brucemuir]

I use TF4 and mix working solution from the concentrate.
I dont think oxygen is a huge killer for fixer the way it can degrade developers.

I wouldn't worry about it because I use it from concentrate and don't use it that fast.
Never had a failure and it's easy enough to test with some film leader.

 

[Photo Engineer]

Oxygen can destroy the sulfite in any fixer and shorten its lifetime!

PE

 

[markbarendt]

Where are you going?

My destination is relative based on the observers perspective, for example my ex and my current wife don't agree on this matter.

Keeps me a bit confused.

 

[Curt]

My destination is relative based on the observers perspective, for example my ex and my current wife don't agree on this matter.

Keeps me a bit confused.

Confusion is better than disoriented.

If the tanks don't blow on me I'm developing 6 more sheets of 8x10 tonight. If it doesn't work out I'll feel like a Well Fed Coyote.

For the "from the jug folks", are you using it one shot or storing it in another container?

 

[markbarendt]

I make a liter in a separate bottle, well two. One for film, one for paper. Then working solution bottles.

Same with indicator stop and hca.

The stop exhausts a slight bit faster than the fix.

When the stop turns I replace the stop, the fix, and hypo-clear that's down stream.

 

[Curt]

That's what I do for roll film, mix it in a bottle and mark the number of rolls used then dump at the limit. This only came up as I'm on my last of the mixed TF4 and I'm using the big tanks now. I have enough of the last to finish the 8X10's and then I'm going to go from the one gallon concentrate jug and a separate bottle for working. The 5x7 sheets are next, about 25 of them or more. I will probably mix a working solution for the 5x7 tank and use a floating lid but the tank is relative small so I'll have to watch the amount of film run through. I might even have to read the instructions or use a test strip. I never push the chemicals, the film is too important.

 

[Diapositivo]

I use a rotary processor, I have only processed E-6 so far. I mix 140ml of final working solution (tank is a Jobo 1510) and use it to develop two rolls, in two batches one roll at a time, it's a two-shots use in fact.

I extract the concentrated chemicals from the original plastic flasks with a 10ml syringe with needle (the needle allows me to "fish" deep inside the flask) and I mix them directly in the Jobo plastic flask I use. I use a graduated cylinder only for bleach, but I rinse the cylinder with water which then goes in the bath.

I preserve the concentrated chemicals with propane/butane mix after use.

I expect the chemicals to last without problems for more than a couple years, I will have used it up before deterioration.

I think using a rotary processor kills many birds with one stone: quality, consistency of results, low cost (at least 70 rolls with 5l final solution, E-6 less than €1 per roll), no anxiety regarding preservation, no film leaders to test.

If one uses a Jobo 1520, and makes two rolls at a time with 250ml of chemicals each batch, 5l yield 80 rolls with this two-shots strategy. I do rinse with water between bleach and fix during the first batch in order not to contaminate the fixer.

 

[mike c]

I mix what I need when I get back from where I was....errr is.

Mike