Efke film -- hardening fixer?

[imush]

I am about to try the slow films from Efke (KB25,50,100). The official instructions call for a hardening fixer. How important is it? I typically use no stop baths or clearing agent, just Rodinal, water and TF-4.

Should I process as usual, or get hardening fixer (and clearing agent wash)?

[kaiyen]

process as usual is fine, though the emulsion is very soft when wet. I wouldn't use a squeegee, for instance. But be gentle and you'll be fine.

[imush]

So after the film is dry it is no longer a concern?

[tmfabian]

So after the film is dry it is no longer a concern?

shouldn't be, but efke is a delicate emulsion, but a very beautiful delicate emulsion...very thick...great for compensating development.

[Chris101]

Once film is dry, it's hardened. But if the manufacturer calls specifically for a specific hardener, then I would use that and not assume I knew better than the maker of the film! (I use Kodak Rapid fixer, without the hardener, so who am I to talk!)

[P. Lynn Miller]

I just started using Efke 25 and 50 and have just yesterday developed my first rolls. I did not bother with hardener, but used my standard Ilford Rapid Fixer, which I think by the way has some hardener in it. I had no trouble with the film but I did not do my usual squeegee routine either.

Have not printed anything yet, but the negatives are gorgeous. I been using Tetenal Neofin Blau for 10:30mins at 20°C.

[titrisol]

As long as you do not squegee, sponge, dry with your fingers you'll be fine.
I used several bulk rolls of EFKE 100 and a few bricks of 25 when J&C was still in business and had no trouble at all.

To dry film quicker I used Distilled water rinse, an Edwal LFN/photoflo rinse, and a salad spinner to centrifuge most of the water out.

[venchka]

In preparation for shooting 120 Efke 25, I mixed a new batch of Kodak Rapid Fixer with half of the bottle of hardener. A compromise of sorts.

[kaiyen]

Ilford Rapid fix does not have hardener in it. no problems for me ever in 35 and 120 formats. just fwiw.

[P. Lynn Miller]

Ilford Rapid fix does not have hardener in it. no problems for me ever in 35 and 120 formats. just fwiw.

Well, there you go... I am not using any hardener then, and have had no problems whatsoever. Just developed another 3 rolls last night.

[vieri]

I use Efke 25 & 50 with Kodak fixer - the regular one, powder, not the rapid, which has hardener in it. Still, Efke needs to be handled with a little more care than Pan-F, Tri-X, Plus-X & Neopan 1600 which are my other films of choice.

Beautiful tones though :D

[imush]

Thanks for the help. I shot and developed 2 films with success (at least I think so). I tried extra care, but no special treatment.

KB25:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/mushinsk/SMS8uVqLopI/AAAAAAAAA0o/JOyuqw4oEM0/s144/scan023.jpg (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/view?uname=mushinsk&q=efke%20kb25&isOwner=true#5243523370440172178) http://lh4.ggpht.com/mushinsk/SMS2kYqat3I/AAAAAAAAAyE/FQ_fmU6Ofyc/s144/scan003-0.jpg (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/view?uname=mushinsk&q=efke%20kb25&isOwner=true#5243516602378008434)
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/view?uname=mushinsk&q=efke&isOwner=true#5243516602378008434

KB50:
http://lh3.ggpht.com/mushinsk/SMTA3wNzTmI/AAAAAAAAA2c/7Dsfq82xmfo/s144/scan058-0.jpg (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/view?uname=mushinsk&q=efke&isOwner=true#5243527930234228322) http://lh5.ggpht.com/mushinsk/SMTA2PAMzTI/AAAAAAAAA2M/YiADLda1gYs/s144/scan048-0.jpg (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/view?uname=mushinsk&q=efke&isOwner=true#5243527904138939698)
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/view?uname=mushinsk&q=efke&isOwner=true#5243527930234228322http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/eiRyJTJz8L2V8oQaf1Yakw%22%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://lh3.ggpht.com/mushinsk/SMTA3wNzTmI/AAAAAAAAA2c/7Dsfq82xmfo/s800/scan058-0.jpg%22%20/%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/td%3E%3C/tr%3E%3Ctr%3E%3Ctd%20style=%22font-family:arial,sans-serif;%20font-size:11px;%20text-align:right%22%3EFrom%20%3Ca%20href=%22/lh/sredir?uname=mushinsk&target=ALBUM&id=5233819710937070865
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/view?uname=mushinsk&q=efke&isOwner=true#5243527904138939698