PhotoStudio13 discontinuing Scala process

Klaus Wehner · Apr 16, 2022

That's exactly how it is! I develop the films in my lab in a very complex process to really achieve the best possible quality.

The chemistry kit for the reverse development of films that I offer is very simple and comes with 3 baths (optional additionally a stasbilizer).
My reversal kit for paper that I offer also uses only 3 baths.

Best regards
Klaus

Raghu Kuvempunagar · Apr 16, 2022

Klaus Wehner said:
Just one more quick clarification:
my reversal process for photographic paper consists of 3 baths and does not require potassium dichromate or thiocyanate. It is simple and not complicated at all.

You must be using some bleach. No?

Raghu Kuvempunagar · Apr 16, 2022

AgX said:
But the film-reversal process you use in your commercial lab is a 10-bath, 20-step process.

What are these ten baths? Perhaps you can describe them without giving details of the chemicals involved?

perkeleellinen · Apr 16, 2022

Klaus Wehner said:
I develop the films in my lab

Hello Klaus - are you accepting film orders again? Can I send you my film from the UK?

Klaus Wehner · Apr 16, 2022

I think it is to be understood that I cannot publish here details of the chemistry of my process.
In general, however, I can say that everything applies to one goal: to let all chemical reactions really run quantitatively to 100%.

Kind regards
Klaus

Klaus Wehner · Apr 16, 2022

I am still working with restriction.
Please write me an email:

klaus.wehner@web.de

Thanks!
Klaus

Klaus Wehner · Apr 18, 2022

I would like to point out a context that can be used to answer several questions.

In the design of paper developers there are important goals such as durability, simplicity, price... Achieving maximum blackening is a secondary goal, because the eye hardly recognizes the difference between a density of, for example, 1.90 and 2.00.

However, with black and white slides, it is of great importance that the exposed silver halide is fully converted during the initial development. If the process is not 100% here, the consequence is that the highlights in the slides do not become clear and the necessary maximum black is not achieved.

Therefore, normal paper developers are only suitable for developing black and white slides to a very limited extent. Special formulations are necessary.

In my laboratory I have developed a special measuring method, with which I can measure whether the development has really proceeded quantitatively, or whether there are possibly still undeveloped silver halides in the emulsion.
Therefore I always have certainty that my process has run correctly and completely.

If there are any questions, I will be happy to answer them.

Kind regards
Klaus

AgX · Apr 18, 2022

You already admitted that you are not good at marketing... But what films do you accept now/will accept when processing again at your lab service?

Currently you state at your site: Agfa Scala 200 and Foma Pan R 100

To my understanding of your wording anything else woud be special order to ones own risk, if at all.

Klaus Wehner · Apr 18, 2022

My process is intended for all original black and white slide films.

Unfortunately, Foma has currently changed the emulsion of the R100 film so that sufficient quality cannot be achieved with it. Therefore, I must exclude Foma R100 at this time.
This leaves Agfa Scala, Adox Scala 160, and Adox Silvermax (all to be exposed like ISO 200/24).

Since these films will not be available in the foreseeable future, I have recommended Ilford FP-4 as an alternative. It has the best image quality. However, it is recommended to calibrate the currently available batch with a test film.

These film recommendations also apply to my reversal kit.

But anyone can additionally develop any film with my Reversal Kit if they like to experiment.

Everything is possible: both good end results and experimental results.

Best regards
Klaus

AgX · Apr 18, 2022

Concerning your website, you might put this information there too...

A link from your profile here to your site might be something to consider also.

Klaus Wehner · Apr 18, 2022

You're right. I really need to revise my website.
Thank you and best regards
Klaus

Raghu Kuvempunagar · Apr 18, 2022

For films like Agfa Scala, Adox Scala 160, Adox Silvermax and Ilford FP4+, what is the difference in the quality of results one gets from your reversal kit vs your lab?

Klaus Wehner · Apr 18, 2022

The biggest difference is probably maximum density and possibly a purer white.

Best regards
Klaus

Klaus Wehner · Apr 18, 2022

... that was the short answer (my wife waited for me with the food)

Now the slightly longer one:
a higher maximum density is achieved.
A higher maximum density means a longer (straight) gradation curve.
A longer gradation curve means more space for better differentiation of gray values per zone.
Better differentiation in each zone means more discernible detail.

In short the slides potentially show more details with better differentiation of gray values.
These are the theoretical facts behind my process.

If you have any questions, I'm happy to help.

Best regards
Klaus

Raghu Kuvempunagar · Apr 18, 2022

Raghu Kuvempunagar said:
For films like Agfa Scala, Adox Scala 160, Adox Silvermax and Ilford FP4+, what is the difference in the quality of results one gets from your reversal kit vs your lab?

What about sharpness and grain?

Klaus Wehner · Apr 18, 2022

After all, sharpness depends primarily on the shooting conditions (shooting lens), secondarily on the film, and finally on the development.
The sharpness is very high (also because of the high contrast).
The grain is more clearly influenced by the development. It is very fine.

Best regards
Klaus

Raghu Kuvempunagar · Apr 18, 2022

I meant is there any difference in sharpness and grain of the results from your reversal kit compared to those of your ten step lab process.

halfaman · Apr 18, 2022

Klaus Wehner said:
Unfortunately, Foma has currently changed the emulsion of the R100 film so that sufficient quality cannot be achieved with it. Therefore, I must exclude Foma R100 at this time.

Have they? Foma R100 is meant to be a slide BW film, it is surprising that they changed for worse.

Klaus Wehner · Apr 18, 2022

Raghu Kuvempunagar said:
I meant is there any difference in sharpness and grain of the results from your reversal kit compared to those of your ten step lab process.

The differences also depend on the film. The results are not the same but similar.

Best regards
Klaus

Klaus Wehner · Apr 18, 2022

halfaman said:
Have they? Foma R100 is meant to be a slide BW film, it is surprising that they changed for worse.

Yes, it is sad! In the past, the Foma R100 was a good film, at times quite comparable to the Scala.

Currently, this is no longer true. The current Foma R100 has very little silver in the emulsion and therefore cannot achieve sufficient density.
But I can't rule out that one day there will be another emulsion with more silver. Unfortunately, you can't see that from the outside of the film.

Therefore, there is always a certain risk.

Thank you and best regards
Klaus

flavio81 · Apr 20, 2022

Ivo Stunga said:
I feel there's some demystifying to be done in the world of BW Reversal, but I'm nearly not enough technically educated to to this - so I'll point out some curiosities out of my experience instead.

Over the years I've:

You're doing God's work, Ivo.

flavio81 · Apr 20, 2022

AgX said:
But the film-reversal process you use in your commercial lab is a 10-bath, 20-step process.

OMG ... so many?!?!

let me guess, how could one have an extreme amount of steps...

1. pre-wash to condition the gelatin
2. first developer step A
3. first developer step B (that is, a two-step developer)
4. stop bath
5. some preparing bath before bleach
6. bleach
7. clearing the bleach (maybe sodium suplhite)
8. light reexposure (or chemical fogging)
9. something to remove the residue of chemical fogging
10. second development, to completion
11. fixing whatever silver is left
12. hypo removal
13. washing
14. wash agent (photo-flo)
15. drying

Can't understand how one could use 20 steps for it!!

Maybe a step before the first developer to remove some silver?? that
Ah, let me guess... two bleach steps instead of one...

... and some hardening agent before bleach

... plus some extra archival stabilizer after washing...

That is 15 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 19 steps!!!

Which one is the final 20th step? Maybe coffee for the operator...

Did I win the prize?

flavio81 · Apr 20, 2022

Klaus Wehner said:
My process is intended for all original black and white slide films.

Unfortunately, Foma has currently changed the emulsion of the R100 film so that sufficient quality cannot be achieved with it. Therefore, I must exclude Foma R100 at this time.
This leaves Agfa Scala, Adox Scala 160, and Adox Silvermax (all to be exposed like ISO 200/24).

Since these films will not be available in the foreseeable future, I have recommended Ilford FP-4 as an alternative. It has the best image quality. However, it is recommended to calibrate the currently available batch with a test film.

Yes, but this is because you intend to project slides and you want to expand the dynamic range as much as possible.

However if the slides are to be scanned, this is not a requisite, and in fact perhaps the dynamic range should be reduce to better match the scanner's capability.

Slides for scanning purposes do make sense, because they allow the photographer to quickly evaluate the image before scanning, without the need of contact prints, etc.

Just my 0.2 deutschemarks on this.

Raghu Kuvempunagar · Apr 20, 2022

flavio81 said:
OMG ... so many?!?!

Can't understand how one could use 20 steps for it!!

He said it's a 10 bath 20 step process. I guess each of these 10 baths is a chemical bath followed by a water rinse resulting in 20 steps. It's not totally inconceivable for a reversal process to have ten chemical baths.

AgX · Apr 21, 2022

flavio81 said:
Yes, but this is because you intend to project slides and you want to expand the dynamic range as much as possible.

However if the slides are to be scanned, this is not a requisite, and in fact perhaps the dynamic range should be reduce to better match the scanner's capability.

Slides for scanning purposes do make sense, because they allow the photographer to quickly evaluate the image before scanning, without the need of contact prints, etc.

Just my 0.2 deutschemarks on this.

What about proposing Klaus to sell digital cameras instead?

PhotoStudio13 discontinuing Scala process

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