Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/07/20
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 11:12 AM 7/20/98 -0300, you wrote: >For future reference, the easiest way to test a fixer is to drop the leader >cut off the film into some and see how long it takes to clear the film. >Time this, then the proper fixing time is twice the time it takes to clear >the film. In addition: I prefer rapid fixer without the hardener, which makes washing much less efficient. Today's films are hardened enough as it is, so leave out the sufuric acid (hardener). The other benefit of rapid fixer is it's liquid, thus easier to mix. And don't be fooled by TMax film's red color after fixing. It's not what you might think. It's the red sensitizing dye and it washes out. But make sure you wash for at least 5 minutes in a high efficiency washer (speed, not saving water) and the red color will go away. I was a beta tester of TMax 400 and love it! But it takes a lot more care than Tri-X and some other films to properly process. And when fixing gets longer than 5 minutes, it's time to get new (rapid) fixer. - -- Eric Welch St. Joseph, MO http://www.ponyexpress.net/~ewelch Avoid cliches like the plague.