Silvermax v APX 100 - what's the difference (if any)?

[Bruce Robbins]

I'm looking for an APX 100 substitute since the new APX seems to be something entirely different (Kentmere?). Silvermax is supposed to be very similar which is fine. But I'm guessing there must be SOME difference between the two. Can anyone say what this is? Would results from Silvermax, to all intents and purposes, be the same as APX 100 or different in some way? If Silvermax wouldn't be a good substitute, what then am I looking at? What about Fomapan 100? Any help would be greatly appreciated as I've run out of film and will be placing an order soon.

 

[K-G]

Mirko explains in post no. 17 in this link.

Karl-Gustaf

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[Bruce Robbins]

Thanks for that, Karl. I'd read that thread and saw that Silvermax is based on APX 100. I suppose the question is, how does the added silver affect the character of Silvermax? It must make some difference unless it was only added for reversal purposes. Can Silvermax just be treated as APX 100 or has it changed in some way due to the added silver?

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

It's not much use to agonize about it. Just buy some rolls and treat it as APX 100 and see how it goes.
Fomapan 100 is a different creature, and has to be treated differently. APX 100 was easy to get full emulsion speed out of. If you get more than 50 our of Foma 100 I'll be the first to congratulate you. Foma also builds contrast like there's no tomorrow, so you have to cut your development time a little shorter compared to other films. If you treat it right, it is a beautiful film. But color reproduction wise, tonality wise, and speed wise, Foma is no APX.
That doesn't mean that it's bad. It's just different.

What I mean is no matter what you choose to replace APX with, you still end up having to test it to get the most out of it.

 

[Bruce Robbins]

I think you're probably right, Thomas. Doesn't look like there are many options other than suck it and see.