I've been using Zone VI fixer for film and fiber based paper for several years. I am unsure whether this product contains a hardener. Can anyone clarify this for me. Further, when I tone prints (in a separate session) I use a bath of pure sodium thiosulphate (also purchased from Calumet) prior to toning. I assume that pure sodium thiosulpate contains no hardener. Can I use sodium thiosulphate as my exclusive fixer? I should also note that I have virtually no problems with toning. Therefore I wish to ask this question: If the Zone VI fixer does in fact contain a hardener, why do I hear comments which advise against using a fixer with a hardener when toning?

-- Tom Schumacher (tlschuma@orotech.net), March 20, 2000

Answers

Tom, It is my understanding that Zone VI fixer is the Kodak f-26 odorless fixer formula with less that the normal amount of hardener (this is just hearsay), which is an "all-purpose" fixer suitable for film (it is "semi-hardening) and for the first bath for prints to be toned. I tend to agree with this, since I mixed my own F-6 for years before I switched to Zone VI fixer and it smells and handles exactly the same. As for toning, you are doing basically the correct things. If you use a two-bath fixing method, then using Zone VI fixer for the first bath makes sense. A "standard" type of fixer will always have a longer working life and resist chemical degradation more than a plain hypo fix. For the plain hypo fixer, which is used as a second fix before toning, I would recommend that you add sodium sulfite to the plain hypo solution in a ratio of 4 ounces per gallon (the exact amount is not critical, I use about two "tablespoons"). This slows oxidation of the solution and slows build-up of complex thiosulfate compounds (again, I've just read this, I'm not a chemist). You could use a plain hypo fix for everything, but the above advantages make it reasonable to use a general-purpose fix for film and prints not to be toned, as well as for the first bath for the two-bath fixing method. Hope this answers your question. ;^D)

-- Doremus Scudder (ScudderLandreth@compuserve.com), March 21, 2000.