Which fixer?

dj_saunter · 03-25-2011, 11:02 PM

I can get Ilford Hypam for much cheaper than Kodak Rapid fixer.

Is there a big difference between these two?

lithos · 03-26-2011, 01:41 AM

Yes. The Kodak's a hardening fixer, the Ilford's not.

"Hardening" means it toughens up the emulsion a bit, so it's more resilient after processing. Whether or not this is relevant with modern films - which are already pretty hard - is probably debatable.

dj_saunter · 03-26-2011, 05:27 AM

Kodak comes as two separate solutions right?

Nesster · 03-26-2011, 05:42 AM

You may want to browse through this thread
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/film-processing-scanning-darkroom/128047-...o-you-use.html

Wheatfield · 03-26-2011, 10:00 AM

Originally posted by lithos

Yes. The Kodak's a hardening fixer, the Ilford's not.

"Hardening" means it toughens up the emulsion a bit, so it's more resilient after processing. Whether or not this is relevant with modern films - which are already pretty hard - is probably debatable.

Manufacturers started prehardening their film emulsions in the 1980s. What heppens now if you use a hardening fixer with film is that you actually make the emulsion easier to scratch.
Best bet is to pick any non hardening fixer, or, in the case of a fixer with a separate hardener, just omit that part of the solution.
And don't fix for more than twice the clearing time with rapid fixers, and when the clearing time has doubled, the fixer is done.

stevebrot · 03-26-2011, 10:02 AM

Originally posted by lithos

Yes. The Kodak's a hardening fixer, the Ilford's not.

"Hardening" means it toughens up the emulsion a bit, so it's more resilient after processing. Whether or not this is relevant with modern films - which are already pretty hard - is probably debatable.

I was always taught that the general rule of thumb is to use a hardening fixer unless there is good reason not to (post-fix staining/toning, for example). That being said, there is a fair amount of information on the Web (Google "non-hardening fixer") that offers the opposite advice. Go figure...I guess times have changed.

For my purposes, I use plain old Kodak Fixer (powdered) and re-use once for negatives and wash for 15-20 minutes in a siphon-type film washer with no clearing agent.

Steve

BTW...many of the eastern European (Foma, Efke, etc) and "classic" emulsions require a hardening fixer.

stevebrot · 03-26-2011, 10:04 AM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

And don't fix for more than twice the clearing time with rapid fixers

...Ha! Ha! You must remember the thread where the user over fixed and washed the image away!

stevebrot · 03-26-2011, 10:16 AM

Originally posted by Nesster

You may want to browse through this thread
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/film-processing-scanning-darkroom/128047-...o-you-use.html

Oh, yes! The gourmet fixer thread!

Steve

03-25-2011, 11:02 PM	#1
dj_saunter Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 209	Which fixer? I can get Ilford Hypam for much cheaper than Kodak Rapid fixer. Is there a big difference between these two?

03-26-2011, 10:02 AM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by lithos Yes. The Kodak's a hardening fixer, the Ilford's not. "Hardening" means it toughens up the emulsion a bit, so it's more resilient after processing. Whether or not this is relevant with modern films - which are already pretty hard - is probably debatable. I was always taught that the general rule of thumb is to use a hardening fixer unless there is good reason not to (post-fix staining/toning, for example). That being said, there is a fair amount of information on the Web (Google "non-hardening fixer") that offers the opposite advice. Go figure...I guess times have changed. For my purposes, I use plain old Kodak Fixer (powdered) and re-use once for negatives and wash for 15-20 minutes in a siphon-type film washer with no clearing agent. Steve BTW...many of the eastern European (Foma, Efke, etc) and "classic" emulsions require a hardening fixer. Last edited by stevebrot; 03-26-2011 at 10:22 AM.

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03-26-2011, 01:41 AM	#2
lithos Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Brisbane, QLD, AUS Posts: 3,261	Yes. The Kodak's a hardening fixer, the Ilford's not. "Hardening" means it toughens up the emulsion a bit, so it's more resilient after processing. Whether or not this is relevant with modern films - which are already pretty hard - is probably debatable.

03-26-2011, 05:27 AM	#3
dj_saunter Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 209 Original Poster	Kodak comes as two separate solutions right?

03-26-2011, 05:42 AM	#4
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	You may want to browse through this thread https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/film-processing-scanning-darkroom/128047-...o-you-use.html

03-26-2011, 10:00 AM	#5
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,975	Originally posted by lithos Yes. The Kodak's a hardening fixer, the Ilford's not. "Hardening" means it toughens up the emulsion a bit, so it's more resilient after processing. Whether or not this is relevant with modern films - which are already pretty hard - is probably debatable. Manufacturers started prehardening their film emulsions in the 1980s. What heppens now if you use a hardening fixer with film is that you actually make the emulsion easier to scratch. Best bet is to pick any non hardening fixer, or, in the case of a fixer with a separate hardener, just omit that part of the solution. And don't fix for more than twice the clearing time with rapid fixers, and when the clearing time has doubled, the fixer is done.

03-26-2011, 10:04 AM	#7
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Wheatfield And don't fix for more than twice the clearing time with rapid fixers ...Ha! Ha! You must remember the thread where the user over fixed and washed the image away!

03-26-2011, 10:16 AM	#8
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Nesster You may want to browse through this thread https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/film-processing-scanning-darkroom/128047-...o-you-use.html Oh, yes! The gourmet fixer thread! Steve

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