A few years ago, I tried shooting with AGFA Scala slide film. It was the only black-and-white slide film left in existence, and only one lab in the world can process it.
AGFA Scala is no longer manufactured, and I haven’t shot with it in about four years. In fact, here’s some of the photos I took with the Scala way back in 2010. These were shot with AGFA Scala’s 35mm film.
Yeah, that Ciufo Demolition Derby Car did win a ribbon at the Vermont State Fair in 2011, but that’s about the only success I was able to achieve with this film. So I stopped using it and went on to other things.
A couple of weeks ago, just for a lark, I won an online auction for some rolls of Scala – three 120-size rolls. Then, after purchasing the rolls, I double-checked to see if the one lab that could develop Scala was still around.
Hokey smokes, it was.
Okay, Scala… I’ve left you off my photographic disciplines for long enough. Now let’s see if you can do what I need you to do.
Win… and I’ll put you back in my film queue.
Anything else… well, you’ll be as dead to me as death.
Here comes the test shots.
I took a roll of 120 Scala film and respooled it onto a thinner, 620-size spool. Figured if I’d try this stock out, it would be with the Kodak Medalist II.
September 12. I’m already up in the Adirondacks, taking pictures of the fall foliage. I decided to drive over to one of my photographic “honey holes,” Carp Pond in Corinth. I affixed the Medalist to my tripod, and then took pictures of the trees along the shoreline – and,while doing so, I switched out various filters for the Medalist. I already knew I would get a sharp picture out of the Medalist, now all I had to do was to see if the Scala was still responsive.
I shipped the roll off to Denver. A week later, I received a PayPal bill for the developing costs. And yesterday, a mailing box arrived at my front door.
The developing company went that extra mile. CD of the images on the film. Original negatives, sleeved. I quickly went through all the pictures. Yep, the Medalist did its job admirably. And look at this shot I achieved with an orange filter…
Wow. I skipped out on four years of possible shots like this? What was I thinking?
Well, here’s what I’m currently thinking. I have two more rolls of AGFA Scala in my arsenal. I’m going to find something this winter that will compliment the rich black-and-white tonal texture of the AGFA Scala film…
And sure enough, I’m going to find something that will help me get back in the winner’s column again.
Chuck The Writer 