Using Ilfostop & Rapidfix

[arzon]

This is my first time to develop B&W film. I intend to process HP5+ 400 and Delta 3200. Just some questions:

a. How long should i 'stop' the development using Ilfostop? Massive Dev Chart shows stop bath should be done in one minute. Will this be the same when using either water or Ilfostop?

b. How long should i 'fix' the development using Ilford Rapid Fix? Massive Dev Chart shows fixing should be done in five minutes. Will this be the same when using other fixers (ie. Kodak)?

c. What is the best container to use for storing used stop and fixer? I'm thinking of recycling plastic Coke 1 ltr bottle, plastic milk bottle, or maybe white wine bottle. I don't know where to get a new and unused HDPE plastic bottle.

 

[Bob-D659]

Recycled soft drink bottles work perfectly for chemistry, black and white or RA4 colour. They are less gas permeable than most HDPE bottles. As for stop and fixer times, try reading the directions on the packages or for Ilford's products, their website.

 

[PeteZ8]

1 minute is entirely unnecessary. Development is stopped nearly instantly on contact with a stop bath. Ilford recommends only 10 seconds in ILFOSTOP or ILFOSTOP PRO at 1:19, or even in plain water.

Here is the Ilford data sheet for film development. The information on stopping is on the right sidebar under "Fixation"

http://www.ilfordphoto.com/download.asp?n=481&f=2006216122447.pdf

To answer your 2nd question, follow the directions that come with the fixer. Kodak Rapid fixer is also about 4-5 minutes, but other fixers may be as long as 10. Fixing times should not really be affected by film brand, or inter-brand use (ie, Kodak fixer -> Ilford film).

Welcome to APUG

 

[Rhodes]

I use 30s continuous agitation or 15s and then 15s stand for the stop with ilfostop and usually fix with ilford rapid fixer for 4-5 m. If it's the second or third utilization of the fixer, I give one minute more.
Also, with the T-max films, I use 8 to 10 minutes since they need more time due to the emulations that they have (when using 5m, the films come out full of the pink spots)!

 

[arzon]

Thank you very much for the clarification.