ADOX Silvermax 100/Scala 160: STATUS from ADOX

markjwyatt

markjwyatt

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Here is a statement from the ADOX team on another forum (2020SEP09):

As we have always clearly explained, both films are technologically identical. For market and demand reasons Silvermax is focusing on the negative film market, and Scala 160 on the BW reversal film market.
We have also clearly said right from the beginning that this film production run was one single big coating run, with lots of original Agfa Leverkusen / Germany technology involved. Technology which is meanwhile not existant anymore in the same form. Therefore another production run of exactly the same film with completely identical characteristics is not possible anymore.
We are working on long term alternatives. But that is an extremely difficult and challenging project, and success of the R&D cannot be guaranteed.

We currently offer an attractive first alternative in form of the ADOX CHS 100 II.

As CHS 100 II has
- an almost identical spectral sensitivity
- an almost identical sharpness and resolution
- similar max. contrast range (dynamic range)
- similar price (CHS 100 II is even a bit cheaper)
- can also be reversal processed.

ADOX - Innovation in Analog Photography.
 
Mark, A year or two ago this statement made a big splash. I immediately went to the B&H website..... but Silvermax 100 was not it stock.....and hasn't been since. The same with their fiber base papers, and there hasn't been any information update since then. Hopefully it will come back into production.
 
Thanks for sharing this information, Mark.

I'm a fan of ADOX on a number of different levels. I like their products' high quality, their products' aesthetic properties and, mostly, their strong dedication to film photography and that community. Their straightforward, honest communication with our community has been a breath of fresh air from an industry that has been, understandably, shrouded in much secrecy since the beginning.

I like Silvermax a lot and I kick myself for not buying 100' rolls of it during the brief time they were available. I'm looking forward to trying CHS 100-II but I would really like to see that available in 100' rolls as well. From a profit margin standpoint I don't know if it's worthwhile for ADOX to confection the new film in that manner but it sure would make it more affordable for a cheapskate like me. We all wish film were cheaper, of course, but I understand that ADOX needs to charge enough to survive so I'll probably buy some in 135-36 for now to show my support.
 
I bought a couple of 100ft bulk rolls when it was available at 49€, but should have bought more... However, I can’t complain - Silvermax is available in single rolls at fotoimpex.de, it’s not that cheap anymore, but still available.
 
Deardorff38 said:
Mark, A year or two ago this statement made a big splash. I immediately went to the B&H website..... but Silvermax 100 was not it stock.....and hasn't been since. ...
Click to expand...

Maybe not at B&H, but I have been buying it sporadically the last couple of years as it comes available. I bought two rolls in February. There were a few rolls on Amazon this week for $18 each. It is still available at Fotoimpex, and Scala 160 is available at Freestyle (remember Scala 160 = Silvermax 100).

But it is clear that once this large batch runs out, it is gone unless ADOX R&D figure out how to translate it to their manufacturing. It sounds like they see CMS 100 II as the substitute. I may try it. Looking at some results of others, it looks like it may have potential to be significantly more grainy than Silvermax 100, but that may have been one situation with one developer.
 
Mark, you're lucky to have Freestyle close at hand. I more or less gave up on buying from them after a couple of customer service issues...and the fact that B&H offers free shipping to Canada. It's unsettling to one's work to see materials disappear. I've pretty much settled on FP4+ (TMX for larger prints) in 100 speed, and TMY2 & Tri-X for 400.
 
Hans Berkhout said:
Dd38 does the difference in spectral reponse create problems for you- eg different filter factors for regular or tgrain film?
Click to expand...

Hans, It doesn't seem to in any big way yet. But FP-4 & Tri-X have been my long time standards. I was looking for something smoother in medium format for big prints.... & TMax100 in Pyrocat is fine. I haven't used the amount of film to run into the situation where i notice a difference in filter factors. We'll see, as i have a fridge full of TMY2 in 4x5, a a bunch of 120 TMax 100....along with the old standards.
 
markjwyatt said:
......It sounds like they see CMS 100 II as the substitute. I may try it. Looking at some results of others, it looks like it may have potential to be significantly more grainy than Silvermax 100, but that may have been one situation with one developer.
Click to expand...

I've never tried Silvermax, but grain is one thing that I don't associate with CMS 100 II. I bought several rolls from Freestyle a few weeks back and shot a roll at an outdoor figure drawing class in my small town. Developed in Xtol. Sepia tone added in PS. It's marvelous film. I will buy more.

adox8.jpg


Jim B.
 
Mackinaw said:
I've never tried Silvermax, but grain is one thing that I don't associate with CMS 100 II. I bought several rolls from Freestyle a few weeks back and shot a roll at an outdoor figure drawing class in my small town. Developed in Xtol. Sepia tone added in PS. It's marvelous film. I will buy more.

adox8.jpg


Jim B.
Click to expand...

Very nice. I will definitely be trying it.
 
Dd38 I used tmax100 years ago processed in john wimberley’s WD2D pyro. Very disappointing results, the mid zone grey scale was very compressed, so prints made in darkroom lacked separation in that importan area. Scanning wasn’t helpful.
Results with tmaxrs kodak developer were very good, beautiful mid tones.
Both fp4+ and hp5+ are great for me with d23 1:1. Maybe not super sharp but tonal range excellent. These films are readily available as are the dev ingredients. 4x5 and 35mm
 
Hans, I was looking for a smoother look than FP4+. Climbing and skiing LF is impractical, and i wanted a smoother look in 16x20 & 20x24 prints. TMax 100 in Pyrocat HD has worked well in my most recent test prints....from the Plaubel Makina. I'll see in long run. The midtone separation in rock peaks has been good, with a yellow filter.
50148142388_eda62be1b4_b.jpg

Flickr
 
img318.jpg


Dd38, 4x5 hiking shot on FP4+ in D23 1:1 Normal development. I don't like minus development. HP5+ might have dealt with the contrast a little better.
I could meet you on some trail who knows..
 
Pentode said:
Thanks for sharing this information, Mark.

I'm a fan of ADOX on a number of different levels. I like their products' high quality, their products' aesthetic properties and, mostly, their strong dedication to film photography and that community. Their straightforward, honest communication with our community has been a breath of fresh air from an industry that has been, understandably, shrouded in much secrecy since the beginning.
Click to expand...

+1.
Their honest communication has really to be appreciated. They are also explaining very clearly if there are bigger problems they are facing.
And their commitment to film is excellent. Lots of new and often innovative products, too.
Just recently they have also offered again market insight: Film and photo chemistry demand is significantly increasing.
 
Adox

Adox

Skiff, All very good..... but there's no fiber based paper or Silvermax 100 on the shelves.... so the good news is quite empty. If it's not available... it's not usable....
 
Deardorff38 said:
Skiff, All very good..... but there's no fiber based paper or Silvermax 100 on the shelves.... so the good news is quite empty. If it's not available... it's not usable....
Click to expand...

Silvermax is available via Fotoimpex. They ship globally.
ADOX MCC: ADOX has honestly communicated that because of severe problems with a mojor supplier this paper cannot be produced at the moment. It is not their fault.

But if I compare what ADOX has achieved in the last six years in comparision to Film Ferrania, ADOX is by far the clear winner. I compare them because both are very small, young start-ups.
 
Skiff, Thanks for the info. I've enjoyed using their papers, but I'm not prepared to tie my work to products that i have to pay shipping half way 'round the world, it's just not cost effective. With shipping costs equivalent of $50 to ship 24 rolls of film to Canada... i'm not going to use their film. More important to me is material stability.... so I'll stick to Kodak TMax and Ilford FP4+ for my work.
 
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