fixer differences

[Jack_5762]

Since the demise of Portriga Rapid I have been using MCC. Developing the paper in Amidol and fixing in Sprint fixer. This combo is allowing a very nice selenium split. The Sprint fixer is difficult to get. It is not stocked anywhere near me and the shipping costs are significant. My question to the unassembled masses is what, if any are the differences between Kodak Rapid fix and sprint. Does anyone know the formula of the Sprint fixer. There are subtle differences between prints toned after Kodak fixerand those toned after Sprint fixer. I assure you that all the other variables are the same as much as humanely possible. Yes even the temps of all the solutions are within 1 degree. The differences are not huge but they are enough to make me seek help.

Jack

[paulr]

I haven't used Kodak in years, but was under the impression it was a sodium thiosulfate fix.

Sprint's been my fave for a long time. It contains:

amonium thiosulfate

boric acid

acetic acid

sodium sulfite

sodium metabisulfite

sodium metaborate

so it seems like there's a lot of buffering going on, and possibly a different main ingredient. Have you tried ordering the big cubes? I can't imagine the shipping would be too much if you ordered it ground shipping. And unless you're going nuts it should last a long time.

[John Cook]

A similar-sounding (to me) formula is Ilford Rapid Fixer. I have used it with success.

My impression is that it is more widely distributed than Sprint and more likely to be manufactured in future than Kodak's product.

One of Ilford's major advantages for me is their extensive online technical information.

Here is the material data sheet, showing the formula:

http://www.ilford.com/html/us_english/sds/Products/00110063.pdf

Here is the user's instruction sheet:

http://www.ilford.com/html/us_english/pdf/Rapid_fixer.pdf