Do you use HCA?

chgoh · 9th December 2003

Hi,

Trying to read up all I can before diving into developing my first roll of film. One question popped up: Should I use HCA aafter fixing? I have seen some suggestion that washing with water after fixing would be enough.

Just wanted a poll to see what are the practices here. So, do you use HCA?

chgoh @ 4:54 pm, 9 December 2003

giddygoat · 10th December 2003

i do. so far so good, no watermarks. as to whether it's becos of the HCA, i really don't know cos i've always used it. doesn't cost much so i didn't want to risk it.

traveller · 10th December 2003

Think for water spots, it's the use of a soapy solution like the Agfa Agepon (ie wetting agent) and not the HCA. HCA is used to remove fixer for the film. I use HCA and think it's highly reccommended to ensure that all traces of fixer is removed from the film such tat the archival quality of ur images are insured as residual fixer on film can result in the images fading after a long time.

giddygoat · 10th December 2003

oops, got confused with the photoflo

West_ray · 10th December 2003

how much does a bottle of HCA cost ar ? how many ml ?

sfhuang · 10th December 2003

Originally Posted by West_ray

how much does a bottle of HCA cost ar ? how many ml ?

HCA mostly comes in powder form. One pack to make 1 gallon of stock solution costs about $10++. (I may not be accurate - check at Ruby)

sfhuang · 10th December 2003

Originally Posted by chgoh

Hi,

Trying to read up all I can before diving into developing my first roll of film. One question popped up: Should I use HCA aafter fixing? I have seen some suggestion that washing with water after fixing would be enough.

Just wanted a poll to see what are the practices here. So, do you use HCA?

chgoh @ 4:54 pm, 9 December 2003

Yes, I use HCA - it shortens the washing time after fixing. With HCA, I wash for about 3-5 mins. (it will take a much longer washing time without HCA) So far so good.

canturn · 15th December 2003

For some reasons, the negs doesn't curl so much after it has been treated in HCA. And it gives a more shiny appearance to the neg.

leewt214 · 17th December 2003

Actually using HCA is a good practice that all should follow. IT has been shown that HCA washes the fixer out of the negatives/prints very well. This will helpt o prolong the lifespan of your work.

Cash · 28th February 2004

Originally Posted by leewt214

Actually using HCA is a good practice that all should follow. IT has been shown that HCA washes the fixer out of the negatives/prints very well. This will helpt o prolong the lifespan of your work.

Yes, HCA is highly recommended if you don't want water marks or residual fixing agents appearing on the negs 10 months down the road.

It's cheap and easy to mix. Do not save on this.

9th December 2003	#1
chgoh Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 668	Do you use HCA? Hi, Trying to read up all I can before diving into developing my first roll of film. One question popped up: Should I use HCA aafter fixing? I have seen some suggestion that washing with water after fixing would be enough. Just wanted a poll to see what are the practices here. So, do you use HCA? chgoh @ 4:54 pm, 9 December 2003

15th December 2003	#8
canturn Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: East, SG Posts: 2,706	For some reasons, the negs doesn't curl so much after it has been treated in HCA. And it gives a more shiny appearance to the neg. __________________ website: Lyrical Moments Photography Facebook page here

10th December 2003	#2
giddygoat Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 308	i do. so far so good, no watermarks. as to whether it's becos of the HCA, i really don't know cos i've always used it. doesn't cost much so i didn't want to risk it.

10th December 2003	#3
traveller Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: SG Posts: 337	Think for water spots, it's the use of a soapy solution like the Agfa Agepon (ie wetting agent) and not the HCA. HCA is used to remove fixer for the film. I use HCA and think it's highly reccommended to ensure that all traces of fixer is removed from the film such tat the archival quality of ur images are insured as residual fixer on film can result in the images fading after a long time.

10th December 2003	#5
West_ray Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 2,149	how much does a bottle of HCA cost ar ? how many ml ?

17th December 2003	#9
leewt214 Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 170	Actually using HCA is a good practice that all should follow. IT has been shown that HCA washes the fixer out of the negatives/prints very well. This will helpt o prolong the lifespan of your work.