Formulary TF-5 fixer user reports?

[Henry Ambrose]

I've been using TF-4 for a good while with excellent results. I use it for paper and film. Its time to buy more and I see that Photographer's Formulary has a new fixer called TF-5. Is there any reason to change? Has anyone used both and do you have any comments comparing the two?

Thanks

[Gem Singer]

Hi Henry.

I have used both. Recently switched to TF-5.

The main advantage of TF-5 is that it is not formulated in a super-saturated solution.

Therefore, no need to shake it and wait for the milky working solution to turn clear before it can be used.

Otherwise, no difference in the way TF-4 and TF-5 work.

I have the feeling that the Photo Formulary will eventually discontinue TF-4.

[Henry Ambrose]

Thank you Mr. Singer, I ordered a gallon of TF-5 this afternoon.

[JR Steel]

Mr Ambrose, I am curious how you use TF-4 for paper? I use it one shot in a Jobo expert drum for film but have assumed it to be too costly for paper in a tray.

[PViapiano]

Mixed 1:3 for paper you get 30 8x10 fiber prints through it, conservatively rated.

[Henry Ambrose]

Same mix as film, 30 seconds for RC, 60 seconds for real paper. One liter will fix a lot of film or paper. I pour it back into glass bottles and use it over for as long as a month if I don't exhaust it with quantity. I do keep separate bottles for film and paper.

Don't use it one shot - it has much more capacity than that --

http://www.jackspcs.com/tf4.htm

[Michael S]

I just used the TF-5 for the first time yesterday and, besides not having to shake up the bottle before mixing, the stuff has NO smell to it. Since I use a short water rinse for stop bath, and not the acetic acid bath, now my darkroom has no fuming odors. I am usually suspicious when it comes to things which seem too good to be true, but I think in this case this stuff is a great boon to darkroom workers everywhere. The only question I have is "where has it been all my life?"

[tgtaylor]

TF-6 will be out shortly.

[JohnN]

What will TF-6 be like?

[Henry Ambrose]

More like TF-7 which will be out a few years after 6.

<grin>