ADOX Silvermax - US Distribution??

Why has Silvermax film been dropped from the store shelves in the United States? I have checked with Adorama, BH Photo and Freestyle and none of them are currently carrying it. I notice that it is available from Fotoimpex but not here.

I finally thought I had things worked out with the film and suddenly I can't find it here any longer. If I am missing something then I guess someone will enlighten me.

For now I guess I'll just pick up 50 rolls of TMAX 100 and mix up some FX37. At least that film is still available and I can mix up my own FX-37 instead of buying a specialist developer.

I believe whatever the issue was (or is) with Silvermax film was the same issue with Adox CHS 100 II. I really like Silvermax and have shot many rolls, but ordering it from fotoimpex with the current "add on vig" (due to worldwide shipping issues because of COVID-19) to the shipping is just too much for my retired budget. I'm really hoping that one of our suppliers here will be stocking it, again, soon.

This thread should answer your question:
https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...-scala-160-silvermax-100.177922/#post-2318834

Thanks Wallendo. I certainly missed that one time production statement. It is too bad, Silvermax was working out pretty well for me and I had actually been getting ready to move to it on a more permanent basis. So much for that idea.

I know it seems a little petty but I have to ask, how long will this newest film be around? I do like ADOX's honesty but their track record of keeping film available on a long term basis does not seem to be very good. If your primary market for your films is LOMO then it probably doesn't seem to matter if you discontinue a film.

Film is not like digital. It takes time to learn how to get the best out of a given film, and once you do it would be nice if it stayed around longer than a couple of years. It is really hard to support a film company when they cannot commit long term to the films they are producing and selling. I would like to try out this newest film but I am feeling a little gun shy right now.

As I mentioned, it is back to TMAX 100 for now. It too is a pretty good film and at least it has stayed around for awhile. I guess I will just stay with it as my primary choice for the long term. I can mix up my own FX-37 which does bring out the best in this film for me so all is not lost.

Dan, I believe the production of film nowadays can be a quite challenging prospect. Even back in the "good 'ole days" film stocks came and went. For example, I shot many 8x10 sheets of Kodak Super-XX many, many years ago; just LOVED the midtone tonality of that film. I'd still be shooting it, if I could buy it today. How many film stocks have we lost just in the past 10 years? I hear what you're saying about getting to really know how a film reacts and how you work to mold it to what you like to see in your work, but I'm afraid those days are pretty much gone. I tried TMax 100 several times, but just never warmed up to it. John Sexton is probably sharpening his scythe now!

Oh it is mostly my fault because I missed the announcement by ADOX that Silvermax was not going to last long. And in the long term it really doesn't cause me any big problems since I had not yet spent a lot of money on film stocks to make the move.

Like you I did not immediately warm up to TMX100 but over time I have been able to get negatives that I can print pretty easily. I am pretty comfortable with it now.