Enlarged Negatives from Agfa Scala

[doughowk]

Back when I only used 35mm cameras I shot alot of Agfa Scala film. Gave up on it because of difficulty of making prints from B&W transparencies. In the latest View Camera magazine, the article on James Lattanzio mentions that he shoots Agfa Scala film, then uses Ilford Ortho film to make an enlarged negative which is then used for platinum contact prints. I recently tried the technique using 35mm slide enlarged onto an 8X10 negative ( used J&C Pro 100). The results look encouraging, though contrast levels did increase. This may be acceptable for printing with AZO or pt/pl. I wonder if others, besides Lattanzio, have tried the technique; and what have been your experiences?

 

[photomc]

Have not, but it sounds interesting...will have to read the article and just happen to have some Ortho from Freestyle (5x7). Will update when I do this...In the meantime would be interested in what others have to say.

Thanks

 

[david b]

I too, just read this article and thought "brilliant".

Too bad Agfa stopped making scala.

 

[Bob Carnie]

Hi there

A few years ago I used FP4 11x14 processed in Scala processor -drop process to lower contrast and then made contact to neg for platinum printing with good success.I found that the dodge and burn was easy to do with this method. as the negative stage was very fast for any dodge/burn. Any black and white film will work in a Scala processor, you just need permission to run different films in this process.

 

[Alex Hawley]

Hmm-gotta tuck this one away for future reference. I've got some Scala slides from a few years ago I've always wanted to do something with. It was neat stuff but I never could see much use for it outside the commercial world.

 

[NikoSperi]

Too bad Agfa stopped making scala.

They did? I just ordered some, and have no problems with getting it...
OT: I develop it for negatives in HC110...

 

[medform-norm]

They did? I just ordered some, and have no problems with getting it...
OT: I develop it for negatives in HC110...

I just checked, and yes, in Holland you can order Agfa Scala from S-Color in sizes 35mm, 120 roll film to 4x5" sheet film without any trouble, or so it seems. I think I remember you can even get larger sized sheetfilm on request...

does this help?

medform-norm

 

[NikoSperi]

Yes, here too. I find that surprising if they've stopped making it (that seems alot of inventory?). But seeing as I'm specializing in learning soon-to-be-discontinued-films, that would fit in. (Freezer filling up with Tech Pan, Pan F Velvia...)

 

[david b]

I think I might have gotten scala confused with another film. Sorry.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Back to the original topic, relative to making enlarged negatives on Pro 100 -- this film is said (by J&C Photo, the importer) to respond especially well to expansions and contractions; it seems to me it would be a fine candidate to use development to control the generational increase in contrast (though, come to that, if the enlarged neg is to be used for alt processes, more contrast is likely to be good).