Agfa Scala

[titrisol]

OK now for those of us on the other side of the pond DR5 is not an option
Anyone with experience what to do in Europe?

 

[dr5chrome]

..6 years is not the industry standard expire date. Scala film is not a very hearty film to begin with. The DMAX in scala film runs around 3.10 in the dr5 line, for fresh film. The film you buy today is outdated, there is no question about this fact. To boast a 6+ year fresh date for scala film when Agfa only gave it a 3 year fresh date is stupid and deceiving.

We keep very tight controls on such things and all I can do is express our knowledge on the subject, one can take it or leave it i suppose.

If well kept, a shooter should see acceptable results with scala film for a few more years, even out dated.

There is alternatives to the scala film. We are about to post up new film pages for the SUPERPAN-ROLLEI film, which has a scala-esc look, not exact, but close. We are finding the normal iso to be 100, not 200.

Compliments of Hartmuth @ MACO, we give free roll samples to our clients. So far the reviews are 'positive' [pun intended].

There is also the ROLLEI IR-400. We tell our clients to use this as a normal film. Its like an extra contrast scala with a TechPan tonal range, personally I think this is the best new film out there for general shooting! http://www.blackandwhiteslide.com/rolleiir.html

regards
dw

BTW we have many clients in the UK

There is a thread on Kodachrome where Photo Engineer explained why films from the same master roll might have different expiry dates and emulsion numbers, e.g. packing for different markets.

I've bought in-date Agfachrome and Agfa B&W 100 ASA earlier this year on Ebay, with the packing by Lupus Imaging....I assumed that they had bought the remaining stock coated by Agfa before the latter finished production?

Presumably they, and Maco, etc., test the stock and the Expiry Dates can be taken as reliable, whenever it was actually coated?

 

[franchal]

Yesterday Maco stated they have sold out all the Scala 120 films. Actually by now there is no Scala 120 films anymore (at least in Germany). We habe in Switzerland still 7 pieces on stock and than it is over.
I can support dr5chrome about the new Rollei Superpan. It can be a valuable alternative.

regards

Alessandro Franchini

 

[AgX]

OK now for those of us on the other side of the pond DR5 is not an option
Anyone with experience what to do in Europe?

There are two options in Germany:

-) seemingly Photostudio13 in Leinfelden is still processing Scala; they once were amongst the few who did the Agfa process

-) Klaus Wehner has designed a propriatory reversal process and processes Scala too, claiming better results than with the Agfa process
(http://www.wehner-net.de/schwarzweissdia/film.html)

 

[dr5chrome]

doesn't surprise me. There are many flaws in agfas process. We have been saying and providing this since 1997. Guess imitation is the best form of flattery. :confused:

dw

There are two options in Germany:

-) Klaus Wehner has designed a propriatory reversal process and processes Scala too, claiming better results than with the Agfa process
(http://www.wehner-net.de/schwarzweissdia/film.html)

 

[coigach]

OK now for those of us on the other side of the pond DR5 is not an option
Anyone with experience what to do in Europe?

Years ago I used to use Scala, processed by Joes Basement in London - the image quality of dr5 is miles better, with the added advantage of a whole range of films you can change the speed of for a greater range of control.

I live in Edinburgh, Scotland and use dr5 for all my b+w landscape work - see portfolio link below. I work with 120 film and send over batches of 10+ several times a year. There is a discount on postage for bulk orders, check the site for current amounts. I send it tracked airmail, takes about a week. The quality of dr5 processing is amazing - I would encourage you to give it a go. I mostly use Ilford Delta 100 and SFX, but also some Kodak Tmax, Foma and Rollei.

And for the record, I have no connection to dr5 other than as a satisfied customer.

Hope this info is useful

Cheers,
Gavin