Developing Scala

RattyMouse · Mar 5, 2017

I received an email from Freestyle explaining that there is a new film in town from Adox called Scala. It looks interesting so I read more about it. Because of the ultra low grain in 35mm, I am thinking about trying this film. Before I do so however, I need to fully understand the developing process. Reading Freestyle's page on Scala leads to a Foma set of chemicals for reversal processing. What's strange is that there are two sets of instructions (both for a Foma film, not Scala) and they are different in some key areas.

Which set of instructions do you follow?

What about agitation during all steps? There is not much guidance on how much agitation this film needs during development?

Anyone else interested in this new film?

peter k. · Mar 5, 2017

RattyMouse said:
Anyone else interested in this new film?

Yes.. got a heads up from Freestyle and been looking into it, but never having done slide film developing, we thank you for your inquiry, as a little bit nervous.
It would be good to get the ole 35mm out and about again, so want to give it a try..

Rudeofus · Mar 5, 2017

It appears that one instruction set is specifically made for Foma's reversal kit, whereas the other set aims for home brewers with access to standard Foma B&W chemistry. This makes a lot of sense, since the Foma reversal kit contains all kinds of nasties, which are difficult and expensive to ship, whereas Fomapan R100 film can be shipped almost anywhere without restrictions. Since the Adox page for this film states "Apart from sending the film to a lab you can use any standard reversel processing Kit" I would assume, that using the instructions for Foma reversal kit should work.

devecchi · Mar 5, 2017

http://www.fotomatica.it/Istruzioni/istruzioni_bellini_kit_inversione_pellicole.pdf

Rudeofus · Mar 5, 2017

@devecchi: these instructions are for Agfa Scala 200, not for the new Adox Scala 160.

TheToadMen · Mar 5, 2017

It's a "remake" of the excellent B&W slide film "Agfa Scala 200", that needed special developing. I haven't tried "Adox Scala 160" yet, but if it is as good as the Agfa Scala, then I can recommend it.

This new Scala can be home developed as a positive film, but there are still some labs that will do this:
See: http://www.adox.de/Photo/adox-scala/

Rick A · Mar 5, 2017

TheToadMen said:
It's a "remake" of the excellent B&W slide film "Agfa Scala 200", that needed special developing. I haven't tried "Adox Scala 160" yet, but if it is as good as the Agfa Scala, then I can recommend it.

This new Scala can be home developed as a positive film, but there are still some labs that will do this:
See: http://www.adox.de/Photo/adox-scala/

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I shot quite a few rolls of the old Scala, developed it as a negative film mostly. I loved the stunning negatives it was capable of producing with D-76, always shot it at 125 to get sightly dense negatives for printing.

GregW · Mar 5, 2017

Anyone know if the Tmax reversal kit will work with this or the previous version of Scala?

frank · Mar 5, 2017

Did someone just come out with a new Scala type film and processing?

Rudeofus · Mar 5, 2017

frank said:
Did someone just come out with a new Scala type film and processing?

Yes

frank · Mar 5, 2017

Yep. Here it is: http://www.adox.de/Photo/adox-scala/

Pat Erson · Mar 5, 2017

Since you're in the US why not send it to Dr5? I wouldn't bother "doing it" at home...
And it's a BEAUTIFUL film btw...

flavio81 · Mar 5, 2017

RattyMouse said:
. What's strange is that there are two sets of instructions (both for a Foma film, not Scala) and they are different in some key areas.

In any case, what should vary* is the time/temperature of the first developer, the other steps shouldn't change, i think.

* between developing Foma R100 versus other reversal film

lantau · Mar 5, 2017

frank said:
Did someone just come out with a new Scala type film and processing?

No, it's not a new film. It is Silvermax 100 with a different label. Adox is quite open about it. They created Silvermax as a Scala replacement, but, if I read and remember correctly, couldn't name it Scala right away. That is why it has a transparent Acetate base.

Since Silvermax as a negative film is ISO 100 there were misunderstandings, apparently, when using it for reversal. In the Scala process it is an ISO 160 film and selling it in cans with Scala 160 on it makes sure that consumers and labs expose and develop it correctly. I read Adox writing all this somewhere last year.

It has been available in this new packaging at Foto Impex for quite some time, now. Same price as Silvermax (as it is the same film).

Coincidentally I finally exposed my first roll of Silvermax for reversal processing today. I bought a bulk roll and kept my remaining 135/36 canisters to be used as Scala. Wouldn't want to send my bulk loadable canisters to the lab.

That's going to be my first b/w slides in 35mm. I've been using Delta 100 and TMax 400 in 6x6 format as reversal films quite a few times, already, and it is fantastic. I have it developed in a Lab, that is using the Scala process.

Lachlan Young · Mar 5, 2017

lantau is spot-on regarding the provenance of Scala 160/ Silvermax.

Photostudio13 in Stuttgart run the Scala process - check out their pdf here for other compatible films in various formats - http://www.photostudio13.de/wp-cont...-Scala-Entwicklung-neue-Version-Juni-2016.pdf I've had old Scala 200, current Silvermax/Scala, CMS20, Delta 100 and Delta 400 (Deltas & CMS in 120) run by them - not super fast turnaround when sending from overseas but easy to deal with & they speak excellent English.

TheToadMen · Mar 5, 2017

Lachlan Young said:
lantau is spot-on regarding the provenance of Scala 160/ Silvermax.

Photostudio13 in Stuttgart run the Scala process - check out their pdf here for other compatible films in various formats - http://www.photostudio13.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Kundeninformation-Filme-für-Scala-Entwicklung-neue-Version-Juni-2016.pdf I've had old Scala 200, current Silvermax/Scala, CMS20, Delta 100 and Delta 400 (Deltas & CMS in 120) run by them - not super fast turnaround when sending from overseas but easy to deal with & they speak excellent English.

And how is their quality?

Lachlan Young · Mar 5, 2017

TheToadMen said:
And how is their quality?

Generally excellent, like any competent dip/dunk pro lab should be.

TheToadMen · Mar 5, 2017

Lachlan Young said:
Generally excellent, like any competent dip/dunk pro lab should be.

Thanks, I'll give them a try - I've got a nice stash of original Agfa Scala 200 slide film!

Lachlan Young · Mar 5, 2017

TheToadMen said:
Thanks, I'll give them a try - I've got a nice stash of original Agfa Scala 200 slide film!

I would note their comment at the top of that PDF that roughly translates to the effect that old Scala is now very old indeed - coated 2004/2005 and will struggle to meet decent parameters in the process - my own experience with the NOS Scala that Adox were selling until a couple of years ago mirrors this precisely - the fog is getting to the point of being obvious, especially alongside fresh stock.

Klaus Wehner might be worth contacting - not used his processing service, but he is a major figure in the world of BW transparencies, so possibly worth a try - you'll be looking at 2-3x the price of PS13 per roll I recall.

RattyMouse · Mar 6, 2017

So let me get this straight, you can process this film as negative film? Is sharpness still the same or is that reduced processing the film this way?

guangong · Mar 6, 2017

In reading the info from Freestyle I got the impression that this new 160 Scala could be reversal processed using any reversal chemicals, not just the Foma kit. However, going to the official Scala page there doesn't seem to be any guidelines for using other reversal options, such as D19. If this particular Scala can be developed using the same chemicals and times as Foma 100 reversal slide and movie stock this would be great. Anybody have any thoughts about this?

Lachlan Young · Mar 6, 2017

RattyMouse said:
So let me get this straight, you can process this film as negative film? Is sharpness still the same or is that reduced processing the film this way?

Yes you can process it as a negative, just as you can process many negative films as positives. It's exactly the same as Adox Silvermax. Sharpness/ resolution may be slightly higher processed as a negative.

RattyMouse · Mar 6, 2017

Lachlan Young said:
Yes you can process it as a negative, just as you can process many negative films as positives. It's exactly the same as Adox Silvermax. Sharpness/ resolution may be slightly higher processed as a negative.

Thanks for your reply. ADOX really confuses me with their films and to be honest, I find it more than a bit strange that they use the Scala name on one of their own films.

flavio81 · Mar 6, 2017

RattyMouse said:
So let me get this straight, you can process this film as negative film? Is sharpness still the same or is that reduced processing the film this way?

When you process such kind of films as negative, sharpness should be a bit better.
When you process such kind of films as reversal, grain should look smaller by virtue of the process.

Lachlan Young · Mar 6, 2017

RattyMouse said:
Thanks for your reply. ADOX really confuses me with their films and to be honest, I find it more than a bit strange that they use the Scala name on one of their own films.

Ironically, Mirko has stated that the use of 'Scala' branding was to try and reduce confusion regarding reversal process.

Developing Scala

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