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 · Oct 26, 2025

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 · Oct 26, 2025

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.

Samu · Oct 27, 2025

Raghu Kuvempunagar said:
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.

BW reversal is getting a real pain in the ass in the European Union, leaving you to the ready-made kits. Sulfuric acid is banned. It could theoretically be bought as 10% solutions, but nobody has it in stock. It is classified as a precursor of explosives. Even acid for car batteries is now restricted to companies only holding a license. And farmers are allowed to buy it. Potassium dichromate is almost completely banned, it needs a special license for handling toxic substances to be bought. Potassium permanganate is classified as group I drug precursor (it is used in synthesis of amphetamines), and its sales are heavily restricted. You can get it from the pharmacy, but with looks "how many syringes and needles do you need". There are regulations needing a guardeed (SIC!) and locked storage rooms inspected by police to be in possession of permanganate. And if it is in a ready-made kit, nothing will apply. But the bureaucracy is slowly killing our hobby.

Raghu Kuvempunagar · Oct 27, 2025

Samu said:
BW reversal is getting a real pain in the ass in the European Union, leaving you to the ready-made kits.

Samu said:
Sulfuric acid is banned. It could theoretically be bought as 10% solutions, but nobody has it in stock. It is classified as a precursor of explosives. Even acid for car batteries is now restricted to companies only holding a license. And farmers are allowed to buy it.

Is Sodium Bisulphate available to you?

CAS Number

7681-38-1
10034-88-5 (monohydrate)

Or Potassium Bisulphate?

CAS Number

7646-93-7

If available, either of these can be used in place of Sulphuric Acid in reversal bleach.

Samu said:
Potassium dichromate is almost completely banned, it needs a special license for handling toxic substances to be bought. Potassium permanganate is classified as group I drug precursor (it is used in synthesis of amphetamines), and its sales are heavily restricted. You can get it from the pharmacy, but with looks "how many syringes and needles do you need". There are regulations needing a guardeed (SIC!) and locked storage rooms inspected by police to be in possession of permanganate. And if it is in a ready-made kit, nothing will apply. But the bureaucracy is slowly killing our hobby.

Copper Sulphate or Copper Chloride, if available, makes a good reversal bleach but needs an additional clearing step.

halfaman · Oct 28, 2025

Samu said:
BW reversal is getting a real pain in the ass in the European Union, leaving you to the ready-made kits. Sulfuric acid is banned. It could theoretically be bought as 10% solutions, but nobody has it in stock. It is classified as a precursor of explosives. Even acid for car batteries is now restricted to companies only holding a license. And farmers are allowed to buy it. Potassium dichromate is almost completely banned, it needs a special license for handling toxic substances to be bought. Potassium permanganate is classified as group I drug precursor (it is used in synthesis of amphetamines), and its sales are heavily restricted. You can get it from the pharmacy, but with looks "how many syringes and needles do you need". There are regulations needing a guardeed (SIC!) and locked storage rooms inspected by police to be in possession of permanganate. And if it is in a ready-made kit, nothing will apply. But the bureaucracy is slowly killing our hobby.

I have no problem to buy potasssium permangante in Spain, at least in small quantities (50-100 grams). You can use sodium bisulfate instead of sulfuric acid, it is nicer substance to work with and easier to source being a solid.

Developing Fomapan R in Adox Scala Reversal Chemistry

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