The DARKROOM COOKBOOK, Third Edition

Formulas 273
FILM: Film should be clear in 5 minutes and fully fi xed in 10. Discard when the clearing time
is close to 10 minutes.
PAPER: Use the two-bath method, 5 minutes in each bath. Do not use this fi xer for the second
bath if you intend to tone the print. Use Kodak F-24 Nonhardening Acid Fixer instead.
FORMULA #132
Kodak F-24
Nonhardening Acid Fixer
Fixer without hardener is preferred for prints that are to be toned. Prints without hardener
are also easier to wash and retouch with spotting fl uid.
F-24 works well with pyro negatives, although care must be taken to avoid scratching
while wet. The reason F-24 is a good choice for pyro is that it is less acidic, using sodium
bisulfi te instead of the stronger 28% glacial acetic acid found in many formulas. Fixers that are
too acid tend to remove desirable pyro stain. Hardener is not necessary with pyro since the
developer creates its own hardening effect.
Water at 125F/52C, 500.0 ml
Sodium thiosulfate, 240.0 g
Sodium sulfi te, 10.0 g
*Sodium bisulfi te, 25.0 g
Water to make 1.0 liter
* Substituting 22.0 grams of citric acid for the bisulfi te will eliminate much of the odor associated
with fi xers.
FILM: Film should be clear in 5 minutes and fully fi xed in 10. Discard when the clearing time
is close to 10 minutes.
PAPER: Use the two-bath method, 5 minutes in each bath. Do not use this fi xer for the second
bath if you intend to tone the print.
FORMULA #133
Plain Hypo
Use plain hypo bath for the second fi xing bath immediately before toning. Also, as it contains
no sulfi te it will allow the maximum image stain to form on pyro negatives.
A plain hypo bath can be used to fi x a print in 30 seconds. However, it has poor keeping
qualities and must be used with an acid stop bath or staining will occur. Do not keep a used
plain hypo bath overnight.
Water at 125F/52C, 2.0 liters
Sodium thiosulfate, 480.0 g
Use fresh and undiluted.