Has anyone a recommendation of where I can send some rolls of Scala (35 mm) for push processing? As I am in San Francisco, in the past I have had Adolph Gasser send rolls of Scala down to Fugi in LA for me. Until now I had never asked for anything other than normal (ASA 200) processing. Gasser now tells me that Fugi will not push process Scala. I have also used mailers to send Scala to CLM Imaging in Miami -- but with unfortunate results (lost film and a non-existent film tracking "system"). Is there an alternative to CLM Imaging for push processing? Thanks for your help.

-- Jeffrey Krenzel (jkrenzel@lgklaw.com), December 05, 2000

Answers

Scala is currently developed by only three labs in the USA. One happens to be a few miles from here. They can push the film to (I think) 1600 and pull it down to 100. I don't know how they handle mail order stuff but am sure they have a way. It is: Main Photo Lab, 714-647-7600. They're in Santa Ana, Calif.

-- Don Karon (dkaron@socal.rr.com), December 05, 2000.

A&I in LA has a process called .dr5 for producing B&W transparencies from both Scala and normal B&W films. Their web page says they'll do Scala at 200 or 400.

http://www.aimcolor.com/dr5.html

I've used A&I for regular slide processing, but not .dr5. However, I have read many excellent reviews of the process.

-- Matthew Hunt (mph@astro.caltech.edu), December 07, 2000.

Your post's a bit confusing. Forget about the dr5 stuff.It's used to make trans from conventional b&w filmstocks. Scala's processing is proprietary and Afga has designated a handful of labs across N.America to handle it.Their website should give complete details on locations, etc.Any designated Scala processor should be able to handle any push-pull configurations within the film's limits.Lovely film.

-- Gary Watson (cg.watson@sympatico.ca), December 08, 2000.

My post is not confusing. Scala can, in fact, be processed by .dr5 and the folks at A&I claim that the result is superior to the Scala process. It is likely that the Scala and .dr5 processes are similar. I checked the .dr5 web site before posting; did you?

-- Matthew Hunt (mph@astro.caltech.edu), December 08, 2000.

Jeffrey,

I have used Main Photo for quite a bit of Scala processing, both normal and push/pull, and have nothing but positives to say about their service. Everything has been done by mail order and they are prompt. They have scala order sheets on the web site.

Give em a try.

-- Kevin (kkemner@tateandsnyder.com), December 10, 2000.

Try Duggal Color Projects in New York. My experience with these guys has been great. Their phone number is 212-242-7000. The cost for normal processing is $8.00/roll, with an additional charge of $2.00/roll for push/pull.

-- Eduardo (e_sanchez@eartlink.net), December 27, 2000.