Adox CMS 20

Ade-oh

Well-known
Local time
8:32 AM
Joined
May 7, 2007
Messages
558
I've ordered a trial pack of Adox CMS 20 (which comes with some Adotech developer). Does anyone have any experience and/or tips for using this film to best effect. I'm rather intrigued by the claims about its resolving power and grain. Any thoughts?
 
I have not tried this particular speed of film from ADOX. Only trouble I've had with Adox film was when I used it in an old Kodak 35. It got torn up. Maybe because of the cold conditions at the time, but mostly, I think, because it's a thinner film and the Kodaks internals are not very friendly to film.

The results from the ISO 100 and ISO 50 120 film are very pleasing. I have seen the some pictures taken with slower ADOX films on this forum and those were wonderfully crisp.


Good luck,
 
I exposed it for 12 ASA and developed a bit shorter than recommended. Regarding resolving power and grain - be prepared to enter a totally new world.

This film is not to be confused with the EFKE made Adoxes, it is manufactured by Agfa Belgium.

There are quite a few discussions regarding this film on APUG.
 
ath said:
I exposed it for 12 ASA and developed a bit shorter than recommended. Regarding resolving power and grain - be prepared to enter a totally new world...

I'll agree on ISO 12 and shaving a tiny bit off the developing time- everything I shot at 20 was thin to the point of difficulty printing.
 
Web-Summarit-2.jpg

Web-Summarit-1.jpg




Web-Summarit-3.jpg




Web-Summarit-4.jpg


Web-Summarit-5.jpg


Web-Summarit-6.jpg
 
I've shot a few rolls at 25 ASA and have been blown away by the lack of grain and the super-sharpness. The last roll I developed had pinhole marks on it and all the frames were unusable, though : I'd used a stop bath, as I had on the previous couple of rolls, and that's the only thing I can put the pinholes down to. On my next roll I'll just use plain water.

It really is worth trying. If you can work round the low speed, it can deliver results you may not have thought possible from 35mm.

Paul
 
Pinholes and Adox do occasionally seem to go hand in hand. I've had a few rolls with them as well, the 25 most often.
 
I always used a (citric) stop bath and I think due to the short development time it is necessary. I never had problems with pinholes with this film. Might depend on the developer.
 
It seems there are QC problems with Adox/Efke and perhaps some of the other smaller manufacturers.

I would stick with Ilford Pan F+ for the slow/fine grain films. If someone with good QC could reintroduce the APX 25 emulsion, I would be ecstatic.
 
Adox is only a brand; they include films made by Fotokemika Nova, known via their own brand EFKE, Ilford (old stock), Filmotec (former ORWO) and Agfa.
CMS20 is made by Agfa. They make films mostly for gouvernments, surveillance and military use. I suppose, QC is a bit harder here.
 
Last edited:
Those pics that Ned posted really do make me want to try the stuff. They seem to have a very rich silvery glow to them that appeals to me!
 
ath said:
Which EI does the film have in HC110?


Iso 20... I sometimes develop this film with another regular film and let the magic happen. I sometimes rate it iso 50 and 100. No need to be too stiff about development. Let the magic happen is my motto with this film.
 
This film is amazing in terms of tonality and resolution. I have developed 12 rolls of it in the last year and I have only used the Adotech developer. The film would be THE FILM for me in the spring/summer if it wasn't so costly compared to PanF and delta 100 and APX 100.

230203215_DNroo-M.jpg


225805128_FVchf-M.jpg


225777317_5WYfB-M.jpg
 
Back
Top Bottom