Developing Fomapan R in Adox Scala Reversal Chemistry

Uznys · Nov 19, 2022

Hello all,
Has anyone tried to develop Foma R in Adox Scala chemistry? I understand that you would need to remove the anti-halation layer, but that can be done with home-made ingredients.
I have the Adox Scala Kit and bought every reversal film to see their differences - Scala, Foma R and also Washi R. Now I realize there are no times to develop the Foma and Washi films in that chemistry. From what I understand, Foma and Washi times are equal if developed with the Fomapan Reversal Kit, but I'm not planning to buy it just for two films.

So has anyone tried to do it? Any information would be gladly appreciated.

Thanks

Anon Ymous · Nov 19, 2022

The Fomapan R has a silver based antihalation layer that is removed by the bleach, just like the negative image created by the first developer. The scala kit already has a bleach, no need for extra "home-made ingredients". Basically, your only problem is finding a decent first developer time.

kingbuzzie · Mar 16, 2025

Did anyone figure this out? I have the scala kit I need to use up and some shot foma 100r.

nsd · 2025-10-26T19:16:35-0400

I gave Fomapan R100 a try using a fresh Scala Reversal kit yesteday. It did not work. The result is a very dark film with a faint image which seems to be negative. The image is only visible when shining a flashlight through the film. It seems the anti-halation layer was not removed, and something curious happened in the development too. I haven't tried scanning it, but I don't anticipate recovering much.

I guessed 11 minutes for the 1st development (in the range of other 100ISO films for which Scala does list times), 5+5 min bleaching, 4+4 min clearing, 6 min 2nd development and 4 min in Ilford Rapid Fixer diluted 1:9. After the first 5 minutes of bleaching and clearing (and rinsing) I took a look at what I had. It had dull yellow spots, and a bit of what seemed at quick glance to be a positive image. I didn't want to remove the film from the reel so I didn't look further in. I bleached and cleared a 2nd time because of the yellow spots.

What I should have done is test with the exposed film leader first. After the clearing step it ought to be clear.

Raghu Kuvempunagar · 2025-10-26T23:49:43-0400

nsd said:
I gave Fomapan R100 a try using a fresh Scala Reversal kit yesteday. It did not work. The result is a very dark film with a faint image which seems to be negative. The image is only visible when shining a flashlight through the film. It seems the anti-halation layer was not removed, and something curious happened in the development too. I haven't tried scanning it, but I don't anticipate recovering much.

I guessed 11 minutes for the 1st development (in the range of other 100ISO films for which Scala does list times), 5+5 min bleaching, 4+4 min clearing, 6 min 2nd development and 4 min in Ilford Rapid Fixer diluted 1:9. After the first 5 minutes of bleaching and clearing (and rinsing) I took a look at what I had. It had dull yellow spots, and a bit of what seemed at quick glance to be a positive image. I didn't want to remove the film from the reel so I didn't look further in. I bleached and cleared a 2nd time because of the yellow spots.

What I should have done is test with the exposed film leader first. After the clearing step it ought to be clear.

The bleach in Scala kit might not be strong enough to bleach AHU layer of Fomapan R100. You can, however, make your own Permanganate bleach and use that instead of the kit's bleach. Or you can reach out to @ADOX Fotoimpex for guidance as they claim that "the kit can reverse ANY b&w film" and might have more insights on the subject.

Developing Fomapan R in Adox Scala Reversal Chemistry

Uznys

Anon Ymous

kingbuzzie

nsd

Raghu Kuvempunagar

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