First roll Scala negs.

T

Todd.Hanz

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Ater seeing some images posted by "Mike Richards" on Scala developed in Rodinal to produce a negative (instead of a positive slide) I decided I had to try some. there wasn't a whole lot on the web so I started with a basic "soup" recipe and times. The negatives are very sharp and tonality is great. I read that you should be able to get 8 stops max on this film, I'm not there yet. Scala is rated at EI 200, the box says you can pull this film -1 stop (EI 100) and push it +3 (EI 1600), I would opt for pulling it in mixed lighting as this is slide film and doesn't handle highlights well unless you expose for them. Here are a few samples: EI 200, "souped" in Rodinal 1:20 at 18c.
 
This film isn't very forgiving of exposure goof's, I had several images where I exposed for the midtones and upon recomposing a little sky crept into the frame and blew it out like I've never seen! I like the rich, deep, blacks and shadow detail this film produces. Scala isn't cheap, everyone in town was out so I had to go to Houston Camera "Shysters",.....I mean Houston Camera Exchange where they got me for ten bucks a roll, I found some online for alot less so next time. I have some loaded in my M6 right now and will run it at EI 100 to see how well it works, keep you posted.

Todd
 
these are great shots todd. i've never heard of scala being processed to negative before. the strength of these seems to me to be in the composition--so is the film/process worth the expense over, say fp4 /d-76? i don't know if you can answer that, i know you often use tri-x which would definitely produce different results.
c.
 
Great shots, I love number three. Where is that?

I am not a technical guy, but I have liked the shots taken on Scala and processed normally. This film is on my shopping list when I run through the last of my "old" film.
 
Rover, #3 and four are in Houston, TX. at a park that has this huge waterwall, like a water fall.

Jazzguy,
I don't know if the cost is worth it, I guess if you achieve the result you are seeking, within reason, it is.

Thanks guys,
Todd
 
Interesting work, Todd. You've pulled some rich tonality from this combination.

I have a roll of Scala in the freezer and I'm tempted to give it the Rodinal treatment. Would you say it's best to expose for the highlights (a la slide film)?

Thanks for posting these!

Gene
 
Gene,
It depends, for the images of the urns and pots, I looked for a midtone to meter off (patch of grass near the pots). I had a few that when I recomposed had some sky in them and the result was a blown out sky. I would expose for the highlights if there is mixed lighting, in this aspect it acts just like slide film.

Todd
 
#1 has very nice shadow detail in the darker part of the urns. #3 is a just a great shot. Looking forward to your pull processed images. I haven't tried that yet, and have to get some more film before running another test roll.
I agree with your observation about the exposure and dynamic range. I made a test shot on my original roll that was deliberately designed to stress the range. I metered on the gray footpath. Here's the double peak histogram. I'll post the image in the next frame.
 
Hi Todd,

Nice tonality there, I may have to try the scala.

I didn't realize you were in Houston too, until I saw the pic of the waterfall I knew exactly where you were. The old Houston Camera "Shysters" eh. The "Last Real Camera Store" of Houston, with the lamest commercials ever. Every time I see their commercials I laugh, they are so not geared towards experienced photogs. Have you tried Camera Co-Op on Sheperd@Richmond? They're not as big but they have a good selection and may be a little cheaper.

--
Scott
 
Mike,
Exactly what I got, I hate to see that extra peak in the histogram, my peaks are closer so when I try and lift the midtones the highlights disapear complete.
Those shots above have more shadow detail on the neg/scan than they show here, the negative shows lots of detail, unfortunately I scan with a flatbed so some is lost.
I'd like to thank you for opening my eyes to this process, I can't wait to shoot/develop more.

Todd
 
Scott,
Good to see some local representation :)
yeah I usually go to Camera Co-op first but they were out of Scala so I succumbed (is that a word) to our friends at the Camera Exchange. BTW, Camera Co-op is moving this month off Durham and I-10 in case you didn't know.

Todd
 
Scala is my favorite B&W film... but I didn't know you could develop it and turn into negatives. There's always something new to learn...

One thing bothers me about Scala. When those great, dense blacks are scanned or observed closely, they show a particular kind of banding that wrecks their use as prints. I have a shot of an artisan in Barcelona that I have scanned lots of times, and when I edit it I'm always checking the histogram to bring out the midtones and, no matter what I do, I get the banding. Maybe you can see it here...
 
Not only the banding, but a weird internal reflection from the lens... or maybe the reflection of the lonely light bulb on the backs of the chairs. I like this shot, but the banding is lethal. It's probably something you won't deal with if you develop it into negatives.

Have fun! I got a new camera today, so it's playtime!! :)
 
That looks like a processing problem, like the film ran through something with rollers.

Todd
 
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