Author Topic: Monobath as fixer????  (Read 307 times)

astrobeck

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Monobath as fixer????
« on: December 15, 2024, 06:02:03 PM »
Does anyone know if Monobath can be used as fixer in a pinch?

I developed a roll of Rollei retro in D76, then discovered my fixer was way off, and I had no fresh fixer to mix...ACK!
So, I dunked the roll of developed film in the monobath for a minute.

Upon inspection, the film looks okay as it is drying, but I'm wondering if I should refix it when the new fixer arrives in a few days...I hope!

This is a lot of futzing about I'm sure, but curiosity is my middle name.
Anyone know the properties of Monobath?
thanks.

Francois

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Re: Monobath as fixer????
« Reply #1 on: December 15, 2024, 06:19:16 PM »
It should be good.
Monobaths are always a combination of developing agents, thiosulphate for fixing and a buffering agent that slows down the fixing in order to give the developer time to do it's job.
If you used the same duration as you do for developing, it should be more than adequate.
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

Pete_R

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Re: Monobath as fixer????
« Reply #2 on: December 16, 2024, 01:18:20 PM »
You could have done a test with a bit of unexposed film. You know the one - dunk it in the fixer (monobath in this case) and measure how long it takes to clear then double it for your fixing time.

A minute sounds short. But as long as the film has cleared it's probably OK.
"I've been loading films into spirals for so many years I can almost do it with my eyes shut."

astrobeck

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Re: Monobath as fixer????
« Reply #3 on: December 16, 2024, 08:37:24 PM »
Next time, next time I will try that.
I panicked a bit since I had already developed the roll, then discovered the hard way my fixer was dead and didn't have any to make a fresh batch.

It's a sad sight to pull film out of a tank and see it unfixed, then scrambling for a solution.

Currently, the film is dry and back in a developing tank waiting for proper fixer to arrive.

Dont try this at home kids! 8)

Francois

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Re: Monobath as fixer????
« Reply #4 on: December 16, 2024, 09:05:18 PM »
But on the up side, once developed and stopped, the film is relatively stable. Even if the residual silver was to get exposed, not much would come out of it once fixed.
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.