I am making c-41 chemicals for the first time, and I made the fix following this formula
Dr. Robert Chapman fixer formula
Water 750.0ml
Ammonium Thiosulfate, 60% 160.0ml
EDTA 1.0g
Sodium Bisulfite 12.0g
Sodium Hydroxide 2.5g
Water to make 1.0L
I used Ferric Sodium EDTA for the EDTA, because it was what I had. The end result was a thick looking yellow / sometimes pinkish liquid. Nothing like Ive ever seen a fix look like. Aside from the Ferric Sodium EDTA I followed the formula to the letter, so I am thinking this has to be the source of my issue.
Was this the incorrect EDTA to use?
What is the correct?
Do we think this is somehow still usable?
If the EDTA isnt my issue, any guesses as to what is?
If this is a complete loss, I have a bunch of the Alkaline Fix I made from the Film Developing Cookbook, would the world end if I used that for C-41 / RA-4?
How alkaline is that fix exactly? Note that the standard pH of a C41 fixer is about 6.5 - so not alkaline to begin with. Alkaline wouldn't hurt, probably, though.
The EDTA could simply be left out if you suspect it; it'll most likely work fine that way.
Another easy way to get a decent C41 fix is to take a normal (acid) rapid fixer and bring the pH down to 6.5 with hydroxide.
The most obvious solution of course is to just buy c41 fix; it's cheap as chips anyway. I wouldn't bother mixing my own if you're in Europe or the US where C41 fix is easy and cheap to get.
Do not use any kind of ferric EDTA in a fixer. Doing so will make a blix, although at such a small quantity it will be a very mild one. EDTA free acid, 2Na, or 4Na is what can be used, but target pH can be adjusted by using the appropriate amount of sodium hydroxide, not necessarily 2,5g. In any case, strictly speaking, EDTA isn't absolutely necessary and can be left out, but pH should better be adjusted to the 6,5 target.
No idea the ph of my brew. My ph meter is unreliable garbage. I didnt realize being ferric would start down the road towards blix. I am doing this specifically to not have blix. Thank you. I should have some EDTA Disodium coming in the mail tomorrow. I will just use black and white fix until then. Word on the street seems to be that its fine.