developing old Scala

[Paul Cocklin]

Hello all. I've recently discovered an old, exposed roll of 120 Agfa Scala. It's a mystery roll, as I can't remember what on earth I shot with it, but at the time I was shooting scala I was sending it out to be developed. Since then, I've created my own darkroom (i.e. bathroom) for large format sheet film, and I figure I can develop the scala myself, but I've got a few questions for guidance.

The roll was exposed at least 1 year, maybe 2 years ago. I assume there will be some kind of speed change and I'm sure I shot the roll at iso200, so what should I assume the speed of the film is now, for developing purposes.

Also, I'd just as soon develop it as negative film, if feasible, because I've never done reversal processing before, and I don't have any of the chemicals required (I don't think I do, anyway).

Can I develop this in Pyrocat HD with water stop and TF-4 fix and still expect any sort of decent results? Any suggestions for development times?

Thanks for any help you can give, I'm still relatively new to darkroom work and do have a 120 reel film dev tank, but I've never used it.

Paul

 

[keithwms]

You could send it to dr5...

 

[Paul Cocklin]

Keith, thanks, I've been reading around the web and just finished a nice article on DR5 that was in Rangefinder, I think. It's definitely an option, but I think I'd like to experiment with it myself. There can't be anything important on the roll (HA!) and if Pyrocat HD will do the trick, I can just slide it into my scheduled Tuesday Development Night along with some 8x10's.

Thanks for the heads-up on DR5, though. It's good to know that they're still around, as the last mention I saw of them was at least a year ago.

Paul

 

[JohnArs]

Hi Paul

I regularly develop it in XTOL 1:1 or full strengs at about 8 min at 21 Celcius and get wonderfull negs not pos then!

Hope it works also with Pyro, Armin

 

[Mike Richards]

Rodinal

One of my favorites: Scala in 1:25 Rodinal, 8.5 min, 18C, normal agitation. I seldom have blocked highlight problems, so for your old film you might want to add a minute or so. Please let us know what happens, whatever you do.

 

[karavelov]

I have some experience. I am shooting Scala @ EI 100 and developing it in Pyrocat-MC 1+1+150 for 30 min (20C, 68F) semi-stand. I have tried to shoot it @ ISO 200 and developing it for 45 minutes with agitation first 30 seconds and then on 15-th and 30-th minutes (the same dilution and temperature). The negatives are printable but it is not really ISO200 film when processed as negative.

I hope this helps
Luben

P.S. Attached image was shot on Scala @ EI100

 

[Paul Cocklin]

Thanks all. I will try it tonight in Pyrocat HD, 1+1+100 for 12 min @ 70deg. I should get something, any way. I appreciate the suggestions.

Paul

 

[SR_LOPES]

any good? anyway I have just processed my scala film at Photo Studio 13 just email <info@photostudio13.de>. It is cheaper than an E6 processing in an High street shop in the uk - even with postage...

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

I used to process it in Rodinal Special (= Studional) rated at ISO100 1:32 for 8 minutes, but will need to find another developer for my remaining ten or fifteen rolls. I plan to try FX39.

 

[harold_bjork]

Develop your Scala

Developer ASA Minutes Temp Format Agitation
Artdol (1+3) 200 4 20°C 120 f
D-76 (stock) 200 9 20°C 35mm e
D-76 (stock) 400 13.5 20°C 35mm e
Fino ST33 (1+3) 100 12 20°C 120 d
Fino ST33 (1+1) 200 9 20°C 120 a
Fino ST33 (1+1) 200 7 24°C 120 b
Fino ST33 (1+3) 200 18 20°C 120 d
Fino ST33 (1+7) 400 30 24°C 35mm c
Ilfotec DD-X (1+4) 100 7 20°C 120 a
Ilfotec HC (1+31) 200 6.5 20°C 35mm a
Rodinal (1+25) 100 6.5 20°C all a
Rodinal (1+20) 200 8 18°C 120 a
Studional (1+30) 100 8.5 20°C 35mm g
Studional (1+32) 100 8.5 20°C 120 e

a - continuous first min, then 5 secs. per min.
b - continuous first min, then 5 secs. per 30 secs.
c - continuous (slow)
d - 1 min. per 3 mins.
e - continuous first min, then 10 secs. per min.
f - presoak required, then 2 secs. per min. without inversion
g - continuous first min, then 1 inversion per min.