What do they mean? Ilford rapid fixer

hammy · Mar 16, 2006

I've switched from using Kodak's powder fixer to Ilford's rapid fixer, since mixing liquids is a lot easier for me than powder.
Anyways, I'm reading the info sheet on Ilford's fixer found here before I mix it all up and try it out.
Under the "capacity without replenishment" section, they mention the fixer can handle 24 35mm rolls, and 80 sheets of 8x10 RC paper. Simple enough, but do they mean the whole bottle can handle that much, or do they mean the appropriate amount for a film tank or 8x10 tray?
In other words, if I fill up my 8x10 fix tray, do they mean that it will handle the 80 sheets of RC paper before exhausted? Or do they mean the whole mixed up bottle amount will handle that much before being exhausted? Same question goes for film developing tank, obviously.

Thanks..

Wayne · Mar 16, 2006

The capacity given is per liter of 1:4 working solution. The capacity for prints is the same at 1:9 as it is at 1:4.

hammy · Mar 16, 2006

Oh, stupid me. I didn't even see the "Capacity/litre
of working strength fixer" at the top of the chart until you mentioned it.
Thanks!

Marco S. · Mar 16, 2006

hammy said:
In other words, if I fill up my 8x10 fix tray, do they mean that it will handle the 80 sheets of RC paper before exhausted?

If you have a liter of prepared fixer in the tray, then yes it should handle the stated amount. You should test your fixer either way, just to be sure as certain films exhaust the fixer at different rates.

Marco

hammy · Mar 16, 2006

MPolo said:
If you have a liter of prepared fixer in the tray, then yes it should handle the stated amount. You should test your fixer either way, just to be sure as certain films exhaust the fixer at different rates.

Marco

Yes. My 8x10 tray takes just a little over a litre to fill it up correctly.

So, generally speaking, I can use one litre of fix on 24 different (36 exposure) 35mm films ? I usually just throw all my chemicals away after one use.

Sean · Mar 16, 2006

I usually take the clipped ends of my 35mm rolls and time them in the fixer.. once the end clears I double the time and that is my fix time.

Wayne · Mar 17, 2006

hammy said:
So, generally speaking, I can use one litre of fix on 24 different (36 exposure) 35mm films ? .

Yes. I dont know exactly how Ilford calculates capacity, but I would imagine its on the conservative side so you probably have some margin for error. But testing will tell. You shouldnt "throw out" fix unless the silver has been removed, and using it considerably more than once will make proper disposal much easier on you.

argus · Mar 17, 2006

Sean said:
I usually take the clipped ends of my 35mm rolls and time them in the fixer.. once the end clears I double the time and that is my fix time.

That's the easiest way, Sean. When clearing time becomes the double of the time with fresh fixes, I assume it becomes exhausted and I replace the fixer.

jp80874 · Mar 17, 2006

There are liquid tests to see if the fixer is still usable.
I have Hypo Check from Edwal and Rexton Fix-a-Sure in my darkroom.
Perhaps there are others.

John Powers

dancqu · Mar 19, 2006

Wayne said:
The capacity given is per liter of 1:4 working solution.
The capacity for prints is the same at 1:9 as it is at 1:4.

Going by Ilford, for archival purposes and with FB,
even 1:19 is OK. Ilford though does print averaging.

The 40 8x10s non-archival FB limit will work
with 1:4 but not 1:9. Ilford's limit is 200,
8x10s per liter concentrate. Dan

dancqu · Mar 19, 2006

hammy said:
So, generally speaking, I can use one litre of fix on 24
different (36 exposure) 35mm films ? I usually just
throw all my chemicals away after one use.

I also toss after one use.
Make that 25 rolls and you've 8ml of concentrate
per roll. Ilford must be averaging or know something
no one else knows. Twice that, 1/64 of a liter, has
shown itself to be sufficient for any film I've
put through. Though a little exposed
high speed may be shorted.

I suggest 20ml as a one-size-fits-all amount.
That will handle any 120 equivalent thrown it's way.
As usual, in what ever solution volume needed. Dan

Wayne · Mar 20, 2006

dancqu said:
Going by Ilford, for archival purposes and with FB,
even 1:19 is OK. Ilford though does print averaging.

The 40 8x10s non-archival FB limit will work
with 1:4 but not 1:9. Ilford's limit is 200,
8x10s per liter concentrate. Dan

I'm not at all sure sure what you are trying to say.

Wayne

dancqu · Mar 20, 2006

Wayne said:
I'm not at all sure sure what you are trying to say.
Wayne

I'm not "trying to say" anything. I'm only restating
some facts and figures from Ilford's PDF on the subject.
I did mention FB only and archival fixing. A little beyond
a RC response I suppose. Dan

PhotoBob · Mar 20, 2006

Ilford fixer

Hi:
I was going to suggest something along the lines of J. Powers, i.e. use a hypo check solution. Usually just a drop or two will indicate if the fixer is exhausted or not.
As for recycling, I've been able to drop exhausted fix (kept in used milk jugs) at a local photo store.
May I suggest (anyone please correct me if I'm wrong) that you pay particular attention to fixing TMax films as I think they are very intensive on fixer.

What do they mean? Ilford rapid fixer

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