Kodachrome

[Mark Wood]

Interesting and perhaps, inevitable news about Kodachrome processing.

http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/news/Kodak_closures_spell_job_losses_news_87785.html

Whenever Kodak deny a rumour, I guess you should automatically assume it's true.

 

[lushd]

Immediately go and buy 200 rolls!

 

[dmr]

Hmmm ... the way I read that, they will again have a Kodak Kodachrome processing lab Stateside again.

I wonder if that will have any impact on Dwayne's business?

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

I would say treat it as business as usual and send all our Kodachrome to Dwayne's. That way their management will understand our commitment and enthusiasm.

Kodak, may be maintaining the production of the Kodachrome chemistry for motion pictures. This is a guess on my part as they have other offerings for movie film. Still photographers may be a smaller market for Kodachrome than cinematographers.

Again - this is a guess. Something worth researching.

If I had a story to tell in a movie short. I would be telling it in HD. So much easier now. But those FSU and Arriflex 16mm cameras I keep seeing on ebay peak my curiosity at times.

Bob

 

[dmr]

I would say treat it as business as usual and send all our Kodachrome to Dwayne's. That way their management will understand our commitment and enthusiasm.

I probably will. I have no complaints at all about Dwayne's.

Kodak, may be maintaining the production of the Kodachrome chemistry for motion pictures. This is a guess on my part as they have other offerings for movie film. Still photographers may be a smaller market for Kodachrome than cinematographers.

I seem to recall them discontinuing 8mm Kodachrome, but keeping 8mm Ektachrome. Maybe Kodachrome is still alive for 16mm. I'm not really sure, however.

I also seem to recall that all/most of their 35mm production-grade Eastmancolor films were color negative films, chromogenic type.

Speculation a while back in another forum was that there were several military labs that still processed Kodachrome, and that military use may actually be what keeps the Kodachrome line alive. I really don't know at all.

 

[Mark Wood]

Super 8 Kodachrome was discontinued about a year ago. That was tungsten balanced 40 asa material (which used to be available in 35 mm if you could find it) as super 8 cameras have a built in filter to correct to daylight (I think). That should mean that the loss of super 8 material shouldn't be too closely connected with 64 and 200.

I might be wrong as it's a couple of years since I used Kodachrome but the situation for processing in the UK was that you sent it to a central address (still Hemel Hempstead I think) and the film was forwarded from there to the lab. in Switzerland. International postage therefore, wasn't an issue as you just paid the UK internal rate. The turnaround was about 10 days.

 

[Trius]

The article stated they would combine their processing to one facility:

'Combining the processing at one location allows us to provide the quality levels demanded by users of Kodakchrome film,' claimed US spokesman Brad Kruchten.

Since Kodak has no Kodachrome processing of their own in the US, I take that to mean Dwayne's will do it all.

So, just to make sure, I called Kodak directly here in Rochester. (Bill's not around to make direct calls, so someone has to do it!) I couldn't get a listing for Mr. Kruchten, so I spoke with someone in Professional Imaging.

He confirmed that indeed in the US there is only one (pseudo) Kodak processing facility for Kodachrome, and that is Dwayne's in Kansas.

I also told him lived near Kodak HQ, and if Kodachrome goes I will be there with a placard to protest. In fact, I am still pissed about K25 being gone. He said, "And rightfully so. There was nothing like it and nothing will be." Honesty from at least one person on State St.

Folks: If we like it, buy it and use it. Let's not bite off our noses to spite our faces!

Earl

 

[Pherdinand]

"'Combining the processing at one location allows us to provide the quality levels demanded by users of Kodakchrome film,' claimed US spokesman Brad Kruchten."

What a load of bullshit.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Well... I guess it's time I stop buying K-chrome from resellers and geti it from stores instead.

However, the best way to keep it alive is showing there's interest in its use, so, whether the film comes from sellers or stores, I'll keep sending it to Dwayne.

BTW, they do very well with E-6! 🙂 Let's support them too. It's all interconnected at a given moment.

 

[Trius]

Francisco: Yes, Dwayne's does a very good job with E6 as well. I haven't tried them for C41, but my guess is they are a very good outfit overall, committed to quality work. Someone here said their scanning is not up to par, but that is a new service for them, so perhaps they are improving in that area.

 

[amateriat]

I doubt any consumer-oriented color film beats Kodachrome for archival longevity and resistance to fading over the years ... unless someone has evidence to the contrary.

From an absolute standpoint, no. But the gap has closed considerably with the last few generations of E6 emulsions, and even C41 films have shaped-up here somewhat as well. Kodachrome is still the dark-storage champeen, though. Just don't leave it in the projector gate too long, okay? 🙂


- Barrett

 

[ZorkiKat]

Anyone for three-strip Technicolor? 😀

 

[ezio gallino]

I've got a lot (30,40 rolls) of Kodachrome 35mm most or maybe all expired. If Dwayne or any other lab will still develop them, even expired should be less "voiled?" respecting ather colour film containing copulants, and so results might still be good. I will expose them, send in USA and hope they come back paying services with my amex.

If this will be impossible...(hope no), i will put all my KC films in waste basket, and I'll look for something else....easy:bang:
A pity for maybe best colour film never made😡

 

[Trius]

Ezio: If your Kodachrome has been cold stored or frozen, it should be fine. Whatever you do, don't just throw it away! I'm sure someone here would be willing to purchase it from you.

Earl