Kodachrome - shoot or save?

[umboody]

I'm planning to do a project paying homage to Kodachrome. No real set subject, just images that catch my eye and hopefully show off the beauty of this soon-to-be gone film. Stocks are limited and expensive. I'm getting my hands on a few rolls, but it's not really going to be enough to do an extensive and focused project.

So here's my question... Should I keep one camera constantly loaded with Kodachrome and take it around with me everywhere? I would keep another one loaded with normal film for everything else I want to shoot. Maybe save the Kodachrome-loaded camera for special occasions like holidays and nice sunny days to the sea-side? Or should I just shoot conventionally and photograph everything I find interesting on the off-chance that something is photographically beautiful on this film?

Also the weather here at this time of the year is not great. Certainly not ideal for 64 ISO film...

 

[ZeissFan]

It's not the scarcity of the film but the dwindling number of processors. It's down to just a handful on the entire planet, I think.

Shoot it and get it processed, before it's too late.

 

[not_in_good_order]

I'm saving my last roll of Kodachrome until at least the spring because winter here is pretty bleak and snowy and I find snow scenes to be challenging from both a technical and artistic standpoint. I want to play it safe in the hope of maximizing the number of usable shots on the roll.

 

[hans voralberg]

Better shoot before Dwayne stop processing though, they're the only left on the entire planet

 

[kkdanamatt]

Dwayne's and Kodachrome

Dwayne's and Kodachrome

Better shoot before Dwayne stop processing though, they're the only left on the entire planet

I don't know if this has been discussed here before, but Dwayne's has made a committment to honor unexpired Kodak Prepaid Processing Mailers until the end of 2009. After that, the mailers are void.

Also, Dwayne's has announced that they will continue to process Kodachrome until the end of 2010.

 

[sanmich]

I wonder if there could be a prolongation of procesing at Dwayne for some time based on batches.
I have enough Kodachrome for a couple of years.
I would love to shoot it sparingly along the next few years and I really don't care if the processing is done only once a month...

 

[venchka]

Use it in bleak times. The contrast and punch will make a dark day bright.

 

[Bob Michaels]

Hold the Kodachrome cassette in left hand. Grasp leader tongue between right thumb and index finger. Pull until all film is out of the cassette. Release.

Mount the Kodachrome cassette with the tangle of film into a frame. Hang on wall. Admire as a tribute. Worship the cassette and tangle of Kodachrome on Sunday mornings.

Then go take some photos. Any film, any camera, any lens.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Shoot.

R.

 

[capitalK]

I shot my last 4 rolls in the Fall and they are currently in the mail being sent to Dwayne's. It was my goodbye, I don't think I'll be buying anymore.

 

[nikon_sam]

Hold the Kodachrome cassette in left hand. Grasp leader tongue between right thumb and index finger. Pull until all film is out of the cassette. Release.

Mount the Kodachrome cassette with the tangle of film into a frame. Hang on wall. Admire as a tribute. Worship the cassette and tangle of Kodachrome on Sunday mornings.

Then go take some photos. Any film, any camera, any lens.

Something only a photographer would understand...😎

 

[shadowfox]

Hold the Kodachrome cassette in left hand. Grasp leader tongue between right thumb and index finger. Pull until all film is out of the cassette. Release.

Mount the Kodachrome cassette with the tangle of film into a frame. Hang on wall. Admire as a tribute. Worship the cassette and tangle of Kodachrome on Sunday mornings.

Then go take some photos. Any film, any camera, any lens.

Bob,

I understand your sentiment, and to a degree, I agree.

But for those of us who see something special in Kodachrome colors and pictures, the choice between shooting it just because or keep it for special occasions bears some consideration. Nothing extreme, but it's there nonetheless.

To the OP, I say load one roll in a camera body that will be with you all the time, so when serendipity strikes, you'll have a Kodachrome frame to show for it.

Also, if you run out of K64 rolls, I have some I can spare, contact me.

 

[maddoc]

I have 5 rolls or so left in the freezer while one is on it's way to Dwayne's for developing. Since it is somehow a special film I will shoot the remaining rolls occasionally and will use them for special purposes, to record some memories that I would like to have in color.