chris00nj
Young Luddite
Thomas Sowell is a brilliant economist, syndicated columnist, and an amateur photographer. This week he devoted his column to the decline of E-6. Not sure if he has a Leica, but I know he has a Linhof Technika.
Never knew the US government banned selling KR mailers and the film together.
Thomas Sowell: Most people have no idea what "E-6" is. To avid baseball fans, E-6 is the way to record an error by a shortstop on your scorecard. But there is another E-6, in photography. This E-6 is the developer in which color slides are processed.
Recently, I received an e-mail from Chromatics, a photo lab used by professional photographers in Nashville, that they will be discontinuing the developing of color slides and color transparencies in general, after September 9th. This was sent to me as an old customer of theirs.
The passing of E-6 is the passing of an era, because it means that so few professional photographers are using color slides and transparencies these days, in this era of digital photography, that a major photo lab does not get enough of this kind of film to develop to make it worthwhile to stock the chemical that is used.
The films used to make color prints-- as distinguished from slides-- are processed in a different developer (called C-41), and the market for that is still good. But the biggest reason for the decline of color slides is undoubtedly the rise of digital cameras.
The fact that Chromatics will no longer process color slides in E-6 does not mean that nobody will be doing so. No doubt other photo labs in some other cities will continue to develop color slides and color transparencies-- at least for a while.
But the handwriting is on the wall.
To those of us of an older age (80 in my case), this passing of one more icon of our era makes us feel like we are relics of a bygone time. I can remember when I used to develop my own color slides in E-3, a long ago predecessor of E-6.
Another photographic icon that vanished in recent years was Kodachrome, the film that put color slides on the map. A few years ago, Kodak announced that it was being discontinued. For many years, Kodachrome was the finest color film in the world.
Even after other color films caught up with it, and even surpassed it in some respects, it was still a great film to have, because it did not require refrigeration, as other color films used by professional photographers do. It is a big nuisance to have to take a cooler with you when traveling with professional color film.
The reason for the differences was that Kodachrome did not have dyes in it, like other color films, and it is the dyes that are so vulnerable to heat. Kodachrome was actually three layers of black-and-white film, each layer sensitive to different colors, with the dyes being added later, during the developing process.
It was a more complicated process than developing slides in E-6, and Kodak preferred to develop Kodachrome itself, rather than risk having other processors do a second-rate job that would harm the high reputation of Kodachrome.
For years, Kodak sold Kodachrome with the processing included. When you finished taking your pictures, you simply put your 35mm film cartridge in a mailer that came with the film, and mailed it to the nearest Kodak photo lab.
Unfortunately, our saviors in Washington decided that it was illegal for Kodak to do that. Why? Because it gave Kodak a "monopoly" on processing Kodachrome.
Any photographer who did not like this arrangement was free to use some other color slide film, one that could be developed in E-6. As so often happens, the government was solving a non-existent problem-- and creating a real problem in the process.
Most photographers who used Kodachrome still preferred to have Kodak develop it. So we had to buy the mailers separately -- and keep track of how many mailers we had, to make sure we had enough for all the rolls of Kodachrome we had.
When Kodachrome was discontinued, I was left with mailers that cost money but were now worthless.
Fortunately, only the U.S. government had this ridiculous ban on selling the mailers and film together. When I was traveling in other countries, I bought the combination together and could mail my Kodachrome to be developed in London, Paris or wherever.
Now that E-6 seems to be following Kodachrome on the path to oblivion, we relics of the past are left with color print film, but the time may yet come when we will just have to cope with digital.
Someone once called me "the last of the Luddites." The passing of E-6 makes me feel that way.
Never knew the US government banned selling KR mailers and the film together.
Thomas Sowell: Most people have no idea what "E-6" is. To avid baseball fans, E-6 is the way to record an error by a shortstop on your scorecard. But there is another E-6, in photography. This E-6 is the developer in which color slides are processed.
Recently, I received an e-mail from Chromatics, a photo lab used by professional photographers in Nashville, that they will be discontinuing the developing of color slides and color transparencies in general, after September 9th. This was sent to me as an old customer of theirs.
The passing of E-6 is the passing of an era, because it means that so few professional photographers are using color slides and transparencies these days, in this era of digital photography, that a major photo lab does not get enough of this kind of film to develop to make it worthwhile to stock the chemical that is used.
The films used to make color prints-- as distinguished from slides-- are processed in a different developer (called C-41), and the market for that is still good. But the biggest reason for the decline of color slides is undoubtedly the rise of digital cameras.
But the handwriting is on the wall.
To those of us of an older age (80 in my case), this passing of one more icon of our era makes us feel like we are relics of a bygone time. I can remember when I used to develop my own color slides in E-3, a long ago predecessor of E-6.
Another photographic icon that vanished in recent years was Kodachrome, the film that put color slides on the map. A few years ago, Kodak announced that it was being discontinued. For many years, Kodachrome was the finest color film in the world.
Even after other color films caught up with it, and even surpassed it in some respects, it was still a great film to have, because it did not require refrigeration, as other color films used by professional photographers do. It is a big nuisance to have to take a cooler with you when traveling with professional color film.
The reason for the differences was that Kodachrome did not have dyes in it, like other color films, and it is the dyes that are so vulnerable to heat. Kodachrome was actually three layers of black-and-white film, each layer sensitive to different colors, with the dyes being added later, during the developing process.
It was a more complicated process than developing slides in E-6, and Kodak preferred to develop Kodachrome itself, rather than risk having other processors do a second-rate job that would harm the high reputation of Kodachrome.
For years, Kodak sold Kodachrome with the processing included. When you finished taking your pictures, you simply put your 35mm film cartridge in a mailer that came with the film, and mailed it to the nearest Kodak photo lab.
Unfortunately, our saviors in Washington decided that it was illegal for Kodak to do that. Why? Because it gave Kodak a "monopoly" on processing Kodachrome.
Any photographer who did not like this arrangement was free to use some other color slide film, one that could be developed in E-6. As so often happens, the government was solving a non-existent problem-- and creating a real problem in the process.
Most photographers who used Kodachrome still preferred to have Kodak develop it. So we had to buy the mailers separately -- and keep track of how many mailers we had, to make sure we had enough for all the rolls of Kodachrome we had.
When Kodachrome was discontinued, I was left with mailers that cost money but were now worthless.
Fortunately, only the U.S. government had this ridiculous ban on selling the mailers and film together. When I was traveling in other countries, I bought the combination together and could mail my Kodachrome to be developed in London, Paris or wherever.
Now that E-6 seems to be following Kodachrome on the path to oblivion, we relics of the past are left with color print film, but the time may yet come when we will just have to cope with digital.
Someone once called me "the last of the Luddites." The passing of E-6 makes me feel that way.
dazedgonebye
Veteran
Now THAT's someone we need as a member.
charjohncarter
Veteran
I hope he's wrong about the passing of E-6. It's my favorite color process.
Last edited:
photogdave
Shops local
I shoot C41 occasionally but not seriously. I do really like Ektar but there's one problem - I can't project it!
The day I can't get slide film processed I'll consider digital if there's an affordable M rangefinder. Until that day...
The day I can't get slide film processed I'll consider digital if there's an affordable M rangefinder. Until that day...
erik
Established
He is right about E6. In the early 90's I worked at a pro lab and we processed tons of E6 daily. Every morning there would be dozens of rolls and sheets in the night drop, and there would be a steady stream all day long. 3 hour turn around was normal and you could have 1.5 hour service at a premium price. AND, we were one of 4 pro labs in the area with an E6 line, and I know that at least 2 of those labs had a larger film volume than we did. Now, there is none locally. I just mailed two rolls to the lab in Boston that I use. Shame, but I still like shooting chromes, even if I plan on scanning. I can look things over on the light table, know what I've got and come back to them when I have time. When I do scan I have a ready reference. Much harder to evaluate color negs.
wgerrard
Veteran
You can't buy a slide projector at a Big Box store, which means ordinary consumers don't know slide film exists.
mw_uio
Well-known
I shot 31 frames yesterday of Fuji Provia 400F and another frame today! 
If anyone had a portfolio review today with chromes it would definitely separate yourself and the rest of many other photograghers! But chromes lying on a light box is 'king' !!
Mark
Quito [UIO], EC
If anyone had a portfolio review today with chromes it would definitely separate yourself and the rest of many other photograghers! But chromes lying on a light box is 'king' !!
Mark
Quito [UIO], EC
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
From where I stand it's no loss and take note, this is just a personal view related to my own experience living in Brisbane which is one of Australia's fastest growing cities.
Last time I saw a roll of 35mm Velvia in a camera shop they wanted twenty dollars for it ... this was at a major photographic outlet!
I had some in the freezer that I'd got from Freestyle a while ago and used a roll to photograph something specifc for a friend that required total colour accuracy. I had it developed at a large established lab (he paid) that has a good reputation in Brisbane as I didn't want it botched. To just develop the roll without cutting or sleeving they charged me twenty dollars! This is just one example I realise but I'm sure it can be repeated in other places.
Chromes are great I agree and the pics I took were vivid and sharp with colour that C41 can only dream about but by choice I wouldn't touch the stuff!
Last time I saw a roll of 35mm Velvia in a camera shop they wanted twenty dollars for it ... this was at a major photographic outlet!
I had some in the freezer that I'd got from Freestyle a while ago and used a roll to photograph something specifc for a friend that required total colour accuracy. I had it developed at a large established lab (he paid) that has a good reputation in Brisbane as I didn't want it botched. To just develop the roll without cutting or sleeving they charged me twenty dollars! This is just one example I realise but I'm sure it can be repeated in other places.
Chromes are great I agree and the pics I took were vivid and sharp with colour that C41 can only dream about but by choice I wouldn't touch the stuff!
charjohncarter
Veteran
Sorry, photography is so expensive in Australia, but E-6 film is still the best for color (as you said). I guess it is time for an Australian order to Freestyle. Arista through freestyle has an E-6 kit which I may have to use if Wal-Mart stops doing E-6 ($6.88 for mounted 36 roll of 135).
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
If it wasn't for the fact that OS suppliers like Freestyle will only ground ship E-6 kits I'd be in boots and all because the cost of them here is ridculous.
Even if I did get velvia or the like from OS I'm still stuck with excessive processing costs here in sunny Brisbane!
I have cross processed a few rolls in my C41 chemicals ... that was fun!
I hate you!
Last edited:
aad
Not so new now.
I would love to meet Thomas Sowell-I've been following his writing for years.
E-6 is still available with a 2 hr turnaround here, $9.00. I really shouldn't shoot anything else.
I took a trip to Ecuador 2 years ago, shot 10 or 15 roll, 2 of which were Provia-best of the lot, and best scans, too. Same for Europe.
E-6 is still available with a 2 hr turnaround here, $9.00. I really shouldn't shoot anything else.
I took a trip to Ecuador 2 years ago, shot 10 or 15 roll, 2 of which were Provia-best of the lot, and best scans, too. Same for Europe.
PKR
Veteran
Thanks for posting this. p.
Frank Petronio
Well-known
http://www.4photolab.com/
Edgar will process your E6 until his third back-up Refrema dies in 2067.
But yes, in the 90s you could drop your first sheets off at 9am (or have a clip test made), go get coffee, come back and see the film, ask for a push or pull to optimize the take, run the bulk of the film, and be ready to FedEx the final edits to the clients before Noon.
It was all awesome. Until you wanted to make a color print from that great slide. Remember the joy and expense of masks for Cibachrome or making internegs?
Or heavens to Betsy if you wanted the printer's prepress monkeys to deviate from the color of the chrome. Explaining that you wanted them to adjust color or density -- even though it was simple, even on those primitive Scitexes -- well they might as well actually been monkeys....
Or... Uncle Harvey's Slide Show. I mean really, slide shows and fun go together like ham and... maggots.
Good riddance, I'm happy to kick Kodachrome and E6 in the butt and throw a garbage pail of sticky old Polaroid residue onto the grave!!!
Edgar will process your E6 until his third back-up Refrema dies in 2067.
But yes, in the 90s you could drop your first sheets off at 9am (or have a clip test made), go get coffee, come back and see the film, ask for a push or pull to optimize the take, run the bulk of the film, and be ready to FedEx the final edits to the clients before Noon.
It was all awesome. Until you wanted to make a color print from that great slide. Remember the joy and expense of masks for Cibachrome or making internegs?
Or heavens to Betsy if you wanted the printer's prepress monkeys to deviate from the color of the chrome. Explaining that you wanted them to adjust color or density -- even though it was simple, even on those primitive Scitexes -- well they might as well actually been monkeys....
Or... Uncle Harvey's Slide Show. I mean really, slide shows and fun go together like ham and... maggots.
Good riddance, I'm happy to kick Kodachrome and E6 in the butt and throw a garbage pail of sticky old Polaroid residue onto the grave!!!
Last edited:
charjohncarter
Veteran
Dave Jenkins
Loose Canon
If I want to shoot E-6, I can do it as long as they continue to make the chemicals. I've developed thousands of rolls in a Unicolor film drum with Unicolor or Kodak chemistry. I learned early on that you can develop seven rolls in 20 ounces of chemistry. My water bath was a restaurant bus pan with the temperature regulated by a fish-tank heater. It wasn't at all difficult.
In the early 90s, my studio-mate and I had contracts with baseball card companies to photograph minor-league baseball players in the south and mid-west. We would be on the road for a week or two, then come home with hundreds of rolls to process and edit. It was a busy, enjoyable time. That was all done with Unicolor film drums, of which we had several. Later on we got a King Concepts processor which was more automated and did ten rolls at a time, as I remember. We used that until we closed the studio in 2000.
However, transparency film has the same worst fault as digital, which is limited density range. For that reason, I have taken to using color negative for my film work.
In the early 90s, my studio-mate and I had contracts with baseball card companies to photograph minor-league baseball players in the south and mid-west. We would be on the road for a week or two, then come home with hundreds of rolls to process and edit. It was a busy, enjoyable time. That was all done with Unicolor film drums, of which we had several. Later on we got a King Concepts processor which was more automated and did ten rolls at a time, as I remember. We used that until we closed the studio in 2000.
However, transparency film has the same worst fault as digital, which is limited density range. For that reason, I have taken to using color negative for my film work.
titrisol
Bottom Feeder
IS it really dead?
or has it just become a boutique product?
or has it just become a boutique product?
Mauro
Mauro
I love slide films, and recently I discovered a very convenient developing lab: EUR 2.04 for a mounted 36 slides roll!
charjohncarter
Veteran
You are lucky, I'm using Wal-mart (which sends to Fuji America) and they are at $6.88 for 36 mounted.
Juan Valdenebro
Truth is beauty
That's amazing! Years ago (maybe 2005) in Venice I couldn't even find a single place for E-6!Cheers,
Juan