Adox

Overview

ADOX is a brand of black and white films, photographic papers, and photochemistry produced by ADOX Fotowerke GmbH. It targets analog photographers with hand-made products manufactured in small-scale facilities, including resurrected formulas from former ADOX and Agfa lines. The brand revived after the digital shift through Fotoimpex, focusing on innovation in niche analog photochemicals.¹²³

History

Founded in 1860 by Dr. Carl Schleussner as Fotowerke Dr. C. Schleussner GmbH in Frankfurt am Main, the world's first photochemical factory, producing pioneering films like KB 14 and KB 17. The original company sold factories to DuPont in the late 1960s, which later passed X-ray business to Agfa; Fotoimpex registered the ADOX brand in 1992 and revived it post-2005 Agfa closure. ADOX now manufactures in Bad Saarow, Germany, and Marly, Switzerland, bringing back Agfa products and acquiring Ilford's coating line in 2015.¹²³⁶

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Products are hand-made in factories in Bad Saarow near Berlin, Germany, and Marly, Switzerland. Chemistry is produced in-house; films and papers use small-scale coating lines, including a former Agfa machine and Ilford's acquired medium-scale coater. Expansion included doubling the Bad Saarow facility around 2017-2019.¹²³⁶

Notable Products

• KB 14 / KB 17 - World's first thin-layer films, known as 'German wonderfilm' in the USA.
• Silvermax (APX) - Resurrected Agfa APX high-speed B&W film.
• MCP / MCC Papers - Revived Agfa multigrade and variable contrast B&W papers.
• Rodinal - Famous Agfa B&W developer formula, trademark held by ADOX.
• Adox Scala 160 - Unique fine-grain B&W slide film process.

Reputation

Enthusiasts value ADOX for preserving rare analog formulas and small-batch quality, especially revivals like Rodinal and Agfa lines. Professionals appreciate the consistency and innovation in niche photochemicals amid digital dominance. Some note higher prices due to artisanal production, but reliability is generally praised in analog communities.¹²³