Maximizing Fixer life... quick question

[filmfan]

Hello,
I have been processing my own film now for a number of years without paying much attention to maximizing my fixer. I usually just use it (Ilford Rapid Fixer) at a 1+4 dilution to make 1 liter at a time, dumping it after every two batches. One liter is the amount needed to process 4 rolls of 35mm film in my metal tank. I fix for 5 minutes at this dilution (1+4), and agitate for the first 45 seconds, then three times every 30 seconds thereafter.
My question is... how many times can I use the same 1 liter of fixer in this manner before it exhausts?
Thanks,

-S.

[rlouzan]

Hi,

First you have to find out the clearing time for your fixer/film combo. When you reach twice the clearing time, it's time to dump your fixer.

Regards,
RLouzan

Originally Posted by filmfan

Hello,
I have been processing my own film now for a number of years without paying much attention to maximizing my fixer. I usually just use it (Ilford Rapid Fixer) at a 1+4 dilution to make 1 liter at a time, dumping it after every two batches. One liter is the amount needed to process 4 rolls of 35mm film in my metal tank. I fix for 5 minutes at this dilution (1+4), and agitate for the first 45 seconds, then three times every 30 seconds thereafter.
My question is... how many times can I use the same 1 liter of fixer in this manner before it exhausts?
Thanks,

-S.

[rlouzan]

http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subsc...xhaustion.html

[charjohncarter]

I use my fixer one shot, 32 onces (undiluted) lasts about 5 months. I, therefore, spend more on fixer than on developer, hypo, and stop. I wish I could find something that was convenient, less expensive, and still orderless.

[atlcruiser]

My fixer seems to last forever

I use the kodak rapid fixer mixed stock and soup for 3-7 minutes based on how old the fixer is/how many rolls through it. I mix in gallon amounts then use it in 1250ml or 500ml increments. It goes back into the same container after each use.

I will pay attention to it after about 20 rolls +/- then I will do a strip test on it. Towards the end of its life I will always inspect the top roll of film prior to washing to make sure it is clean. Once my total time in fixer is near 7 minutes i toss it.

[SolaresLarrave]

I do a strip test every single time I develop film. The last four or five times it's been consistently clearing the film strip in 28 seconds, so I fix for 3 or 4 minutes. Once the fixer takes more than 35 seconds I'll replace it and mix another batch of (guess what?) Ilford Rapid Fixer, at 1+4.

[f16sunshine]

Different films seem to be more difficult to fix. With Tmax I can get 10-12 rolls (36 count 35mm or 120) fixed out of a liter of 1:4 ZonalPro before I'm doubling time (starting at 5 minutes). If I shoot Neopan SS I get nearly 20. With rollei IR it seems like It goes forever. If you use stop bath rinsing before fixing seems to help.

[SolaresLarrave]

Speaking of rinsing... I don't know if this has any effect, but given that I reuse my fixer I always rinse film in water for about 20 seconds after the stop bath. By the same token (as as per chemical's directions) I always rinse it again after fixing it, before the HCA bath. Hence, the fixer comes in contact with film and water only. And returns to the bottle with nothing it didn't have before.

[DNG]

Originally Posted by SolaresLarrave

Speaking of rinsing... I don't know if this has any effect, but given that I reuse my fixer I always rinse film in water for about 20 seconds after the stop bath. By the same token (as as per chemical's directions) I always rinse it again after fixing it, before the HCA bath. Hence, the fixer comes in contact with film and water only. And returns to the bottle with nothing it didn't have before.

Like Wise for me....Except, I have a separate bottle for used fixer, and leave the fresh stuff alone until the used Fix is exhausted...But, I can't help yet... I have souped 2 rolls so far, and use 14oz per roll (just a little over the real height by 1/2 inch)

There is a liquid that you place one drop in it, and if it reacts, dump it.
Edwal Hypo-Check at B&H

[Vics]

Originally Posted by filmfan

Hello,
I have been processing my own film now for a number of years without paying much attention to maximizing my fixer. I usually just use it (Ilford Rapid Fixer) at a 1+4 dilution to make 1 liter at a time, dumping it after every two batches. One liter is the amount needed to process 4 rolls of 35mm film in my metal tank. I fix for 5 minutes at this dilution (1+4), and agitate for the first 45 seconds, then three times every 30 seconds thereafter.
My question is... how many times can I use the same 1 liter of fixer in this manner before it exhausts?
Thanks,

-S.

I was going through Lauder fixer til I was going broke, then I asked Maria over at Jeremiah's Photo Corner, and she told me to mix up working solutioon a gallon at a time, checking it with Hype Check at the beginning of each session, dumping it when indicated. Saves me a bundle, and it's great not to have to mix the fix every time!
Vic

[bobby_novatron]

Yeah, I use those indicator drops also. It sure takes the hassle and guesswork out of re-using my fixer. Typically, I get over a dozen rolls of film out of 1 gallon of Kodak fixer. I just keep using my fixer until the drops create a precipitate, as per the instructions. Very handy.

[Freakscene]

Fixer will keep fixing film a long time after it no longer archivally fixes film. The fixer will appear to continue to fix, but more slowly, but beyond 3 g/L silver in sodium thiosulfate fixer and 5-6 g/L silver in rapid, ammonium thiosulfate fixer, incomplete fixing reaction products that cannot be washed out remain in the emulsion. These are invisible until the unwashable residues oxidise the image forming silver and turn into a visible stain.

A potassium iodide test (Kodak FT-1 solution, see Kodak publication O-3:
http://wwwau.kodak.com/global/en/pro.../o3/O3wp.jhtml ) will tell you how much silver is in your fixer.

Marty