Agfa Scala... once again

OK, I know this question has been asked about a million times, but I thought I'd make it a million and one...

Just recently got a hold of two (2) rolls of 120 size Scala, somewhat past expiration, but I grabbed it anyway... did a search and found conflicting views... so hoping that real Scala users out there can help!

Is Scala a "transparency film" and exposed for the highlights,
or is a "negative film", (but processed for reversal ) and therefore exposed for the shadows?

I only have those two rolls, don't want to waste them experimenting... also anyone out there still processing this?

Thanks in advance
Ira

Transparency film.

You should check out "Agfa Scala Processing" on Google:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=agfa+scala+processing&btnG=Google+Search&aq=1&oq=agfa+scala+pro

http://www.blackandwhiteslide.com/

I hear they have excellent results with Scala as well as other b&w films that they reverse process.

You can shoot Scala as a negative, but with two rolls you'll likely not get anything of real use...

- Thomas

... and I am still confused !

Brandon D. said:

Transparency film.

You should check out "Agfa Scala Processing" on Google:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=agfa+scala+processing&btnG=Google+Search&aq=1&oq=agfa+scala+pro

Click to expand...

Brandon,

First, thanks for responding. You say "transparency", and suggest a google search.

Honestly I did search prior to posting and just to show what I mean about "confusion", here are only 2 results of many, and I mean many of those searches...

1- ..."Scala is a very sharp, well-designed negative film for use in AGFA's DIA-type Scala process, now discontinued with agfa's closing. Contrary to belief Scala is a B&W "NEGATIVE" film. SCALA film is an orthochromatic [partial] clear-base film type that runs better through the dr5 process.... "


2- …Remember that Scala is a slide film and therefore must be exposed for highlights....

Again thanks for responding... but without sounding like what came first.. the chicken or the egg...

Is it negative film (meter for shadows) or transparency film (meter for the highlights)?

If you have used it, do you indeed meter for highlights and obtain good results?

Once again thanks in advance
Ira

I'm sure our resident Scala expert will be along shortly, but until Mr Wood spots this, I suggest having a look around his website for some general background info.

http://www.dr5.com/

Scala is a film which can be used for normal processing giving negatives and reversal processing giving positives (slides). Many other negative films can be processed to slides.

How you exspose them is mostly a matter of taste.
Filmes developed to negatives are often exposed for the shadows; the final picture is generated when making a print from the negative. Extensive "manipulation" is possible here; exposing for the shadows is ensuring that everything is on the film and you can choose what you want to have in the print.

Slides are commonly exposed for the highlights. The slide is the final picture and most people find blocked shadows in a projected slide more acceptable than blocked highlights. But if you do portraits its better to expose for the skin, i.e. the midtones.

All film is neg. film at heart, even transparency film. The process that is used to make transparencies is what flips it to a positive.

Anyone have an old developing chart for Scala processed normally as a neg (preferably with an Ilfotec HC or odak HC-110 time)?

Also, the color response is literally identical to APX100 according to the data sheet.

I think we're thinking too much on this one. Use as a transparency film. Process as a transparency film (not E-6 though). Get back transparencies. It's a transparency film.

Regards, Art.

gr82bart said:

I think we're thinking too much on this one. Use as a transparency film. Process as a transparency film (not E-6 though). Get back transparencies. It's a transparency film.

Regards, Art.

Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly, and that is how I've used it as well.

gr82bart said:

I think we're thinking too much on this one. Use as a transparency film. Process as a transparency film (not E-6 though). Get back transparencies. It's a transparency film.

Regards, Art.

Click to expand...

Art,

This is what I like, a real simple down to earth answer,... no techno babble!

Thanks,

Ira

...there are a few films that will not go both ways;
foma-R will not process as a negative.
APX 25 & 400 & Fuji-ACROS100 will not process as a positive.

I guess my email was not a good enough answer. I would also agree, you are giving this too much thought.

dw

2F/2F said:

All film is neg. film at heart, even transparency film. The process that is used to make transparencies is what flips it to a positive.

Anyone have an old developing chart for Scala processed normally as a neg (preferably with an Ilfotec HC or odak HC-110 time)?

Also, the color response is literally identical to APX100 according to the data sheet.

Click to expand...