ADOX Silvermax - US Distribution??

[Pioneer]

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.

 

[Alan9940]

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.

 

[Wallendo]

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

 

[Pioneer]

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.

 

[Alan9940]

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!

 

[Pioneer]

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.