How about mixed rapid fix? I have some that I mixed for film last May, and it still clears film in 15 seconds. No precipitate, smell or other nasty signs.
How about mixed rapid fix? I have some that I mixed for film last May, and it still clears film in 15 seconds. No precipitate, smell or other nasty signs.
Then no problem.
Most photo chemicals last a lot longer than the manufacturer's very conservative numbers suggest. I just this weekend mixed up some Harman WT developer from a bottle first opened July, 2012. I poured the bottle of concentrate (which I've sadly learned is NOT air tight once the seal is broken) into two 16 oz brown bottles and squeezed the air out. The concentrate is fine. I use citric acid stop bath I mixed in March this year. It's fine. I have D76 I also mixed from powder in March this year - also fine.
Of course use fresh or test before using for film, especially important work - but by and large I've found the manufacturer's estimates are very conservative.
Life is way too short to risk precious, irreplaceable film on stale chemicals. I might try old stuff with prints...maybe.
Bruce Barlow
author of "Finely Focused" and "Exercises in Photographic Composition"
www.brucewbarlow.com
Finally someone took the bait.
But seriously, if the fixer works what heinous fate might await my film, in addition to being fixed? Because if it is indistinguishable in sight, smell and performance from freshly mixed fixer, shouldn't I throw that out too? Is there some chemical deterioration happening that is undetectable?
One has the option of testing fixer with products that have that purpose. Personally, I test my fixer at the beginning of processing and periodically during processing.
I know the fix is nowhere near capacity yet, and it clearly still "works". What would I test? pH?
The commercial fixer tests check for retained silver. They won't detect fixer that has deteriorated from age. Probably the best check is what you did, film clearing.
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