Fixer Suggestions?

[jim appleyard]

Lots of folks use C-41 fixer which is the same C-41 used for color film. I know little of it other than it gets lots of b/w users. Perhaps those folks will spot this thread an jump in.

[bdial]

I did the switch to C-41 fix last year. Here's the reason; 5 liters of Ilford Hypam, $25.99, 5 gallons C-41 fix, $36.50 Adorama's pricing.
Shipping for the Hypam is about $12.00, and for the C-41 about 33.00.

I ordered mine from my local camera shop/mini lab, they were able to give me a good price on shipping since they made it part of their regular chem order.

The plain C-41 fix (Not the RA version) is a a straight, nearly neutral PH, rapid fix. I found the recommended dilution by doing some searching in here, and then made some retained silver tests (using selenium toner) to nail down the the proper fixing time for my papers. (1 - 1 1/2 minutes). The RA fix isn't good for B&W, though I don't know the specific reasons.

I'm still using the last of my TF-5 for my film, but as soon as that's exhausted I'll be using the C-41 for everything.

[Newt_on_Swings]

I second Ilford Hypam, the stuff is just repackaged rapid fix, works at same dilutions and has pretty much the same capacity (maybe a little less).

Calumet on Amazon is your best choice if in the states. They used to have free shipping as well but not anymore. It is $25 plus $5 shipping. For 5 Liters.

I called in once thinking their label marking indicating expired stock, but was mistaken as their sticker is for their own stocking system indicating received date. I was told by their CSR that Hypam is a product they routinely sell in good quantities so the stuff is always very fresh from them.

[MattKing]

Hypam is actually a different formulation than Ilford Rapid Fix, but the difference is fairly minor.

Ilford Rapid Fix is not formulated in a way that permits the adding of hardener. Hypam is formulated in a way that permits the adding of hardener.

In addition, Hypam is oriented toward commercial users, and therefore isn't sold in the smaller quantities that one can find Ilford Rapid Fix packaged in.

[Rudeofus]

The RA fix isn't good for B&W, though I don't know the specific reasons.

RA4 frequently uses BLIX instead of separate bleach and fix. If you use BLIX instead of fix for B&W, the bleach part turns your silver image back into silver halide which is then dissolved by the fixer part.