Fixing Ilford Paper with Kodak RapidFix

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Hi all,

My daughter gave me a few hundred sheets of Ilford double weight fiber multigrade paper when she got back from college. I have always used Kodak paper, but a couple of quick test prints shows the Ilford to produce nice prints.

I am using Kodak Polymax-T and SelectSoft developers with no problems but I have a question on the fixer. I use RapidFix and the Kodak double weight paper calls for a pair of 2 1/2 minute fix baths. The Ilford paper calls for a 1 minute fix in thier fixer!

Does anyone have any first hand experiance using Kodak RapidFix with Ilford paper and if so what time worked for you and were there any issues with the process.

Thanks, -harry

-- Harry Pluta (hspluta@msn.com), February 04, 2000

Answers

Hi Harry,

I believe the 1 minute fix that Ilford recommends is based on using Ilford's fixer (?amonium thiosulfate?), which if I recall correctly, is a different formulation that Kodak's (?sodium thiosulfate?). I use Kodak Rapid Fix in a two bath setup. I give the print full agitation for 1.5 minutes in each bath then wash. I'll use the first bath for 1/4 - 1/2 the recommended number of prints, then dump it and replace the first bath with the second and mix a fresh second bath. It works for me.

Regards

-- Pete Caluori (pcaluori@hotmail.com), February 04, 2000.


I wouldn't hesititate using Ilford's times with Kodak paper. I use rapid fix at 1:4 for 1:15min., a little longer than they reccommend, and have never had a problem. Prints which are a year old a still fine...

And even though it seems crazy, I use their 30sec. time for RC paper (at 1:4). Never a problem there, either...

-- shawn gibson (SeeInsideForever@yahoo.com), February 05, 2000.


Ilford's 1-minute fixing time is valid for Ilford fixer only. (The other way around, i.e. using the time indicated on the fixer for a different brand of paper, is not usually a problem.) The advantage of that short time is that it allows for quicker washing. (I think you will find some statement on the Ilford Archival Washing Sequence in the information withing the packages of Ilford paper. So if you want to stick to Kodak fixer, I would recommend sticking to their recommended time, too, and to wash long enough.

-- Thomas Wollstein (thomas_wollstein@web.de), February 07, 2000.

Both rapid fixers use ammonium thiosulfate as th fixing agent. To use Kodak at Ilford times, just mix the Kodak fixer to FILM strength, not paper strength.

That is the basis for the very short times, which allows for reasonable wash times due to very little fixer soaking into the paper.

-- Terry Carraway (TCarraway@compuserve.com), February 07, 2000.


And if you are unsure about the effectiveness of your fix/wash routine, then get a residual fix and residual silver test kit. Very inexpensive and very revealing. James

-- Mr.Lumberjack (james_mickelson@hotmail.com), February 10, 2000.


Thanks all,

I kinda figured that I would need to keep the Kodak times if I used thier chemicals, but I thought I would check. I have never tried the test strips that Mr. Lumberjack suggests, but I will have to stop and get some, it should be interesting to see how thorough my technique really is.

Thanks again,

-- Harry Pluta (hspluta@msn.com), February 12, 2000.


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