Photographers’ Formulary TF-4 Archival Rapid Fixer for Black & White Film & Paper – Makes 1 Gallon
Photographers Formulary TF-4 Archival Rapid Fixer is an extraordinary fixer for both paper and most films.
TF-4 works well in batch processing, fixing resin coated paper in 30 seconds and fiber based paper in 60 seconds.
You can also use TF-4 on TMax films, fixing for 6 minutes to remove the magenta stain. it is recommended to run 20 rolls of film to 1 liter working solution.
TF-4 fixer does not require a stop bath or a hypo-clearing agent, and has little odor when mixed with distilled water.
TF-4 is a non-hardening fixer, which makes it excellent for prints that are to be toned or retouched. Most modern film emulsions have a built-in hardener, eliminating the need for hardener in the fix.
The stock solution which has a shelf life of 1 year is diluted 1:3 to make the working solution. The working solution has a shelf life of 6 months.
TF-4 is recommended in The Book of Pyro for PMK negatives, by Gordon Hutchings, due to the fact that an alkaline fixer solution such as TF-4 helps achieve maximum pyro stain on a negative.
A conventional rapid fix may diminish staining effects of pyro and PMK formula.
This will make 1 gallon of Working Solution.