Agfa Scala

I have used Agfa Scala in 35mm and really liked some of the shots I got on it. To my eye, the Scala's main strength is its wonderful tonality in midtones. Remember that Scala is a slide film and therefore must be exposed for highlights. Don't know what the exposure latitude is "by the numbers", but these are observations from my limited experience. Overexposed it looks pretty bad. Underexposed, the shadows can lose detail rather quickly, but since the D_max is not nearly as high as Velvia, dark shadows tend to look murky. So be careful with your exposure. I think Scala looks its best with predominantly light and midtone subjects that do not have large areas of dark. But you may reach a different conclusion. Enjoy your trip!

I've used it once. Decent, if somewhat grainy, slides like this example. I don't think I will be using it again, due to the inconvenient processing options. Just so you know, you can process T-Max 100 using Kodak's reversal kit and get B&W slides, or use the DR5 process.

Keep in mind that the road up Mt. Washington is a tad scary. Last time I went there, I drove a Suburban and my knucles were white. I knew a fellow who took weather readings up there. When he came down, he had a bit of a problem with alcohol.

So watch your driving and concentrate on photography and everything will go well!

I've used the scala and it's a beautiful film, but there are other films I prefer in the DR5 process. I'll see if I can find some of my Scala slides to scan tonight, and post later. I'd be tempted to get some Tri-x and have it DR5 processed.

Scala, or B/W neg film run through DR5 gives you narrow latitude, just like any slide film.

Here is a post of scala shot and processed at 100, processed in DR5 sepia.

This film is higher in contrast than velvia... I have a pic shot with scala at 200 and velvia at 40 that i'll post once I scan them. Mt Washington should have similar conditions to what I had while on middle sister (Glacier and black rock) as seen in the picture below.

Are you planning on using the slides for projection, or do you want prints? If you ultimately want prints, you might consider a traditional B/W negative film like Tri-x, HP5 of FP4+ and process/print normally.

I shot slides on part of this trip because I wanted to project the immages, and some of the slides I did ultimately get printed were a bit difficult to print.

Agfa Scala is basically the only b/w film I use. I completely love the film. You have it expose it very carefully (bracket!) but when exposed right it just produces gorgeous results.

Finally found the slides, still unpacking from moving. I was at the end of one roll/beginning of the other at this part of the hike so I thought I'd compare films.

The first on is velvia, the second post will be scala, at 200 in dr5. Same scene (slightly different angles)...both films were excessively contrasty for this type of scene. My scanner probably didn't help either.

Scala at 200