Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/10/12

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Subject: RE: [Leica] Agfa Scala Advice/Alternatives Sought
From: "Colin" <CJV@home.com>
Date: Sat, 13 Oct 2001 01:16:49 -0400

Greg, 

I like Scala a lot so I'm gonna talk about it a lot. :)  If Scala wasn't
such a pain in the butt to process, I'd use it all the time.  It really
looks beautiful.  At ISO 200, it seems virtually grainless.  At 400 and
above, it's similar to other slide films at the same speed in terms of
grain.  While it's supposed to be good at up to 1600, I think 800 is the
maximum, and recently (last six months) have decided that I won't shoot
it at over 400.  Best thing to do if you don't have time to play with
it, I'd suggest, is not to go over 400.  You asked about behavior.  I'll
say that Scala clearly has a little better highlight detail than shadow,
but your best bet is to nail the midtones as close as you can and let
the rest fall where they may.  Pretend you're shooting regular slide
film and you'll get the exposure right.  

My Scala gets processed by Color Reflections in Florida (side note: I
live half an hour from NYC, but B&H mailers are for Florida.  Go
figure.) via mailer.  I consistently get them back about five business
days from when I drop them in the mailbox.  The quality is decent, tho
I've had the occasional mis-mounted slide.  Get your own slide
containers - the ones I get from CR are little sucky thin cardboard
things.  

Sounds like you're on a schedule.  If mailers take too long, you can
still get it done at a lab, but there's only three in the USA.  If I
read the header information right, you're in California.  See
http://www.mainphoto.com for Main Photo Service in Santa Ana.
Otherwise, check http://www.agfaphoto.com/products/scalalabs.html for a
list around the globe.  Overnight service is typical in my experience
with Duggal in NYC.  Price is not really any different from other slide
films. 

Lastly, I have a few Scala shots on my web site that people often say
are their favorites.  Check these:

http://www.availabledark.com/html/family07.htm
http://www.availabledark.com/html/family02.htm

And one shot without a page, but I like it anyway:
http://www.availabledark.com/images/maine14.jpg

Good luck with your assignment.  Show us some shots when you're done!

Regards, 
Colin
http://www.availabledark.com


- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
[mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us] On Behalf Of Gregory
Rubenstein
Sent: Friday, October 12, 2001 6:24 PM
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: [Leica] Agfa Scala Advice/Alternatives Sought



Anyone have experience, recommendations, advice or alternatives to Agfa 
Scala for black-and-white reversals?

Am curious about its behavior since I'll have barely enough time for
limited 
testing before having to deliver for a client who wants some fairly
specific 
black-and-white slides.

On- and off-list information, anecdotes, advice, warnings and
suggestions 
welcomed.
Thanks.

Greg Rubenstein
gcr910@msn.com




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Replies: Reply from "Sonny Carter" <sonc@sonc.com> (Re: [Leica] Agfa Scala Advice/Alternatives Sought)