A New 120 B&W Slide Reversal Film?

[ChrisGalway]

On this now-closed thread, https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/adox-cms-20-ii-availability-in-us.205962/ I read that Adox Scala 50 and Adox HR-50 are actually the same film, AND that a person from Adox said that HR50 will be available in 120 format.

So does this mean that Adox Scala will be available in 120 format as well? As interested readers will know, if you want to make 120 format B&W slides you have to use sub-optimum films as a hack. I use Rollei Superpan, for example. However I would prefer to use a high silver content film designed for reversal processing.

(Yes, I know about Dr5 processing of "ordinary" films but it is simply not feasible if you live in Europe. Anyway, I prefer to process my own, and use the Adox Scale kit.)

 

[Richard Man]

DR5 is no longer available in any case

 

[Corn_Zhou]

On this now-closed thread, https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/adox-cms-20-ii-availability-in-us.205962/ I read that Adox Scala 50 and Adox HR-50 are actually the same film, AND that a person from Adox said that HR50 will be available in 120 format.

So does this mean that Adox Scala will be available in 120 format as well? As interested readers will know, if you want to make 120 format B&W slides you have to use sub-optimum films as a hack. I use Rollei Superpan, for example. However I would prefer to use a high silver content film designed for reversal processing.

(Yes, I know about Dr5 processing of "ordinary" films but it is simply not feasible if you live in Europe. Anyway, I prefer to process my own, and use the Adox Scale kit.)

Use Fomapan 100, the 120 version comes on clear base.

 

[ChrisGalway]

Use Fomapan 100, the 120 version comes on clear base.

Yes, I know, and there are several other films on a clear base that can be reversal processed in the Adox Scala kit, but they were not designed for that purpose, i.e. the silver content is not high enough. They produce quite nice results ... but only "quite nice" in my limited experience, not "stunning"!

I'm not sure that Adox HR50 and Adox Scala 50 are actually the same emulsion (but with different markings). Is that just a rumour? And I don't really know if HR50 will be available in 120 size ... perhaps just another rumour?

 

[Corn_Zhou]

Yes, I know, and there are several other films on a clear base that can be reversal processed in the Adox Scala kit, but they were not designed for that purpose, i.e. the silver content is not high enough. They produce quite nice results ... but only "quite nice" in my limited experience, not "stunning"!

I'm not sure that Adox HR50 and Adox Scala 50 are actually the same emulsion (but with different markings). Is that just a rumour? And I don't really know if HR50 will be available in 120 size ... perhaps just another rumour?

Those two are the same emulsion, both based on Agfa Aviphot 80. Rollei Retro 80s is also repackaged from this film stock and comes in 120.
The fact is there is no 120 film on the current market which is designed to produce B&W slides. Maybe you can experiment with exposure and developing to get better results on films like Fomapan

 

[bedrof]

IIRC Adox HR50 is a derivative of an AGFA Aviphot family.

 

[dokko]

I'm not sure that Adox HR50 and Adox Scala 50 are actually the same emulsion (but with different markings). Is that just a rumour? And I don't really know if HR50 will be available in 120 size ... perhaps just another rumour?

In the linked thread above, Mirko from Adox confirmed that it'd exactly the same emulsion. here his post:

Adox CMS 20 II Availability in US

For those of us who already recognized how well CMS 20 II keeps, especially when cold stored, and have a "lifetime" supply on hand, the key question is: will ADOX continue to make and sell Adotech IV after it runs out of the film? Good question, Sal. I've been wondering if it's a good choice...

www.photrio.com

Adox has always been very open and honest about their products, so this is a very reliable source.

He also mentioned that they are working on 120, but they understandably don't give time lines any more because a lot of unexpected things can happen which can lead to disappointments.
Since the have trouble producing ADOX CHS 100 II in 120 at the moment it seems to be a general problem with 120 confectioning for them.

 

[Ivo Stunga]

Many films in 120 come on clear bases, making them factually black and white reversal films.

One could actually benefit from traditional emulsion on clear base rather than the very contrasty Aviphot 80 and 200 derivatives.

The black and white reversal process is not a hack, it is the same process for film marketed as a reversal film and for traditional black and white films reversed to slides.

 

[destroya]

I have used RR80s for slides many times and they comes out great. I have some shot on my mamiya 6 that I have projected, and the first one had the same impact the first time I projected a great velvia 50 slide. It was magic, at least I thought so. get a few rolls and try it yourself. the only film that I know of that is specifically made for B&W reversal is foma 100r, though I think its in 35mm only. most other B&W emulsions can be used. not really sure there is a big enough market for a B&W reversal only emulsion, so just repurpose whats available and work with it. B&W slides really are a great thing to see

There have been a lot of threads on B&W reversal home brew. do some searching and Im sure you can find a bleach that will work for you

john

 

[ChrisGalway]

B&W slides really are a great thing to see



john

I do medium format stereo, and a good B&W pair of slides is even better in a good stereo viewer! I'll certainly try Rollei Retro 80s.