Clearing Polaroid 55

Can I use Kodak Hypo Clear instead of sodium sulfite or Perma Wash to clear

the Polaroid 55 negatives?

 

Thanks!

That's what I learnt here in this forum. It works.<p> Uli

Paul,

 

I have been using PermaWash for years to clean 55 P/N. Here is a link to a page I made about using, cleaning, printing, and properly storing 55 P/N negatives:

 

http://www.cameraartist.com/words/2006/07/how_i_shoot_polaroid_55_pn.html

Any kind of Hypo clearing agent will work. I have found that Perma Wash works much better on EVERYTHING including Polaroid Type 55 negatives. After Clearing, refix the negative in some hardening fixer though, due to the fact that they are very soft and scratch easy, then use Permawash again and wash for 10 minutes.

Is there a disadvantage to using sodium sulfite?

I just leave mine to soak in cool tap water for a couple of hours and then hang to dry after the purple colour has gone. It seems to work fine and give the same results as a proper sodium sulphite bath but I can't say anything about the archival performance. I use it becasue it fast (dump the negs in water and drink lots of cups of coffee!) and easy and it does the job!

I have always used HCA since it was easily available for me. I make a bit stronger solution than what Kodak recommends for normal film use.