In a message dated 8/18/04 9:11:28 AM, shammonds@creatorsview.com writes:
Hey Guys,
I finally had clear skies and time off together for a change. It has been a
while since I last shot any TP and this developing question has come up. How
many times can I use my mix of Rapid Fixer before I need a new batch? I know
the package says it will keep for a while stored properly, but I've been out
3 of the last 5 nights and plan to go out again tonight. I just mixed a new
batch for developing the shots I took last night and they look pretty good,
how many more times can I comfortably use this batch. Thanks,
Scott Hammonds
Scott:
Fixer, any fixer, lasts a long time and is not affected by light or temperature in storage.
What exhausts fixer is 'fixing film'.
You didn't mention what size of fixer you mixed, but you have to run a lot of film thru it to exhaust it.
There is a product called Edwal Hypo Check (and others) that allows you to check your fixer.
All you do is put one drop of Hypo Check in your fixer container and if a yellowish-white cloud forms, it's exhausted. If not, keep on fixing.
An interesting side note. Fixer fixes film by removing unexposed and undeveloped silver from the emulsion. Therefore, when fixer is exhausted it's full of silver. If you pour some exhausted fixer in a container and drop in a few pennies, the silver will 'plate out' on the pennies, turning them a silvery white. It's not all that permanent, but kids love it. Large volume film processers recycle their exhausted chemicals containing silver and get paid for it.
Kent Kirkley
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