Depressed

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Sumolux

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As a diehard Scala lover, I have been using it for about 20 years now as B/W slide film (mostly). Call me crazy, but that is what I do. And this week, in my free time I have been going through a whole collection of slides. God, that Scala is just amazing...!

Well, I fully realize now that the end is really, truly near. Scala supplies are almost gone and my freezer batch is down to only 100 pieces. A film I know like the back of my hand.

Retro 80S gives pretty good results, and I have tried a few others, but none have the amazing chromatic variation available in Scala, nor the ISO rating and flexible push-pull. Furthermore, my hope was pinned on Fomapan R, but that seems to be either sold out and now seems possibly no longer in production.

If I could find a really good replacement for Scala, I would feel better, and I could help keep film vibrant by buying NEW film. But i cannot explain it, losing Scala completely is like losing a dear friend, who I only realize now passed away years ago....

Can any of you here share some ideas that will make my depression go away a little at least? Thanks!
 
I would round up as much as you can of existing stock, assuming you can get it processed. Once it's gone, it's gone forever.
 
That's got to be hard.

I don't know what to say. Favorite things don't stay around - useful lives of things that matter seem to be getting shorter as I get older.

It's not a solution to the loss of your Scala but I guess concentrating on making images with the gear you have, with subjects and light that enliven you, in places you like - that's what I would do. Turn your mind's eye toward your craft, not an element of your tools.
 
Don't worry, just use Adox Silvermax instead.
Silvermax is extremely similar to Scala.
Or use Adox CHS 100 II. Also an excellent BW film for reversal development.
 
Never tried CHS 100II before....Interesting idea, thanks!
I was not so happy with contrast of low level lighting with Silvermax, but maybe I should try again. Positive ideas both.
 
I'd talk to these guys and get their opinion: http://www.dr5.com/

They are experts in processing Scala, as well as other types of B&W films as slides. Their work is really high quality, although the lab is closed for relocation now.

Maybe they can suggest another film with the closest characteristics for your processing?
 
Doing your own reversal processing is a possibility. It looks a bit challenging, so I haven't jumped into it yet. Maybe when I retire.
 
Good ideas

Good ideas

I used Dr5 years ago, and kinda forgot about them after the move to EU.
Anyway: went back to his site and it seems that FP4 and HP5 are great candidates for what I want. I have to do more research and experiments on this with several rolls.

However, I do note that Fomapan R seems to be the closest to Scala for my eye - I recognize a certain look it has right away. If that becomes available again, then I would be a happy camper. In the meantime off to Ilford...

Thanks all for the input!
 
FYI Fotoimpex updated their Scala stock-notice on 12/18: 22 rolls in the Berlin store.

Dr5
has left Denver for Des Moines, but they maintain a dotcom address specifically for Scala. Dr5 is the chemist for North Americans who want to see their Fp4 reversed.

....but I must caveat this, having just noted that Dr5 ran their last batch of BW slide chemistry May 2015, and don't say when they expect to run another. Best to contact them for info.
 
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I still have two boxes of 4x5 Scala...I shot the rest of the 120 I had and developed it in Rodinal but haven't printed from it...
 
Sumolux said:
I used Dr5 years ago, and kinda forgot about them after the move to EU.
Click to expand...

So, as you are now in the EU it does not make sense using dr5. Especially as dr5 is currently not offering any BW reversal development.
You have quite a lot of excellent options in the EU:
1. www.schwarz-weiss-dia.de (see above). Best lab for Scala, Silvermax and CHS 100 II.

2. Photo Studio 13 in Germany
http://www.photostudio13.de/
Excellent lab offering lots of different options:
http://www.photostudio13.de/fileadmin/storage/images/Scala_Informationen15.pdf

3. Agenzia Luce in Trieste, Italy:
http://www.agenzialuce.it/
Also lots of different options, but more expensive than Photo Studio 13.

4. Arka Lab in Paris, France:
http://www.arkalab.com/arka-photo-lab-paris/photographic-laboratory.php
 
I found Rollei retro 80s and 400s/superpan 200 are the best replacements. I shoot rr80s at 125 and rr400s at 400 when doing my slides. I do my own processing and its just as easy as doing negs, although there are more steps and have to mix my own chems from scratch every time. but that is easy. also, the cost is much better. costs me about $.50 or less per roll to do it myself.

john
 
Don't mean to be a wet towel but as someone who has suffered from depression (and paid dearly for it) I find the title of this thread to be a little insulting. We're talking about the availability of photographic film, after all.
 
J enea said:
I found Rollei retro 80s and 400s/superpan 200 are the best replacements. I shoot rr80s at 125 and rr400s at 400 when doing my slides. I do my own processing and its just as easy as doing negs, although there are more steps and have to mix my own chems from scratch every time. but that is easy. also, the cost is much better. costs me about $.50 or less per roll to do it myself.

john
Click to expand...

What method and chemicals are you using?
 
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