A Conversation with Kodak Alaris

[Prest_400]

I think Stone is too young to know that at one time, in North America at least, people used the words "Kodak" and "Camera" interchangeably.

In the Philippines (at least the Visayas, or some of their regions) Kodak is a word used to describe photography, camera, and all the actions as a whole more or less.
I remember once passing a brief security control. "What have you got there?" My cousin answered: Kodak. They let us pass in seamlessly.
It seems quite ubiquitious.

And as of Alaris and their actions and strategies lately: It's still early to see if they are effective but they seem to make better decision than EK.
Many see partering by Lomo as a Negative fact, but if they play it well it will be beneficial. I don't (and hope not) see it as an instant mark up as it is now Kodak-Lomo. I don't think we'll be seeing some Kodalomo Portra soon.
Rather than these negative interpretations, they have moved closer to someone whose base is film; and by doing it they are securing some of the market and getting to know it better.

 

[Truzi]

Here is a semi-rhetorical question:
When was the last time Kodak "partnered" with anyone in this manner related to film?

While it might not be what many of us consider a real "partnership," I see it as a positive. Also, while I'm not really into the "lomo thing," I have noticed lomo has evolved a bit over the years, and part of that evolution is towards higher quality in some respects. While lomo does stay true to it's origins, to me it seems to be putting a little more weight lately on "getting the moment," and less on outdated/bad film or intentional light leaks.

If they can bring back the whole Kodak (Alaris) Moment campaign, it could really be positive.

 

[StoneNYC]

Here is a semi-rhetorical question:
When was the last time Kodak "partnered" with anyone in this manner related to film?

While it might not be what many of us consider a real "partnership," I see it as a positive. Also, while I'm not really into the "lomo thing," I have noticed lomo has evolved a bit over the years, and part of that evolution is towards higher quality in some respects. While lomo does stay true to it's origins, to me it seems to be putting a little more weight lately on "getting the moment," and less on outdated/bad film or intentional light leaks.

If they can bring back the whole Kodak (Alaris) Moment campaign, it could really be positive.

+1

Especially in the formats that are supposed to be better, for example there panoramic 120 camera has a better than normal lens, it's not a spectacular lens, but it's not a piece of crap Holga lens either (i'm not saying that piece of crap Holga lenses are always bad, I'm just saying that as a description of the type of lens they are, I know they're imperfect on purpose and that that has a use too).

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

While it might not be what many of us consider a real "partnership," I see it as a positive.

I think it's a fabulous move.

Reminds me of that old question, "Why do bank robbers rob banks?"

"They do it because that's where the money is..."



Ken

 

[EdSawyer]

it's really just cross-marketeering, not any "partnership" in any real sense of the word. whatever...I don't give a flying f*ck about anything lomo, but if it keeps Kodak in the black, so be it.

 

[ME Super]

I'll quote my father:

"There have been far more great photographs taken with Brownies/Instamatics than all the SLRs and high-end cameras combined."

I think Stone is too young to know that at one time, in North America at least, people used the words "Kodak" and "Camera" interchangeably.

True that. My first camera was a Kodak Instamatic. I put Kodachrome 64 in it. I think the year was somewhere between 1978 and 1981. Got a toy 35mm (non-Kodak) camera in 1986 I think it was. I didn't get an SLR until 1988. It was an ME Super.

 

[ME Super]

I see Kodak-Alaris' partnership with Lomography as a positive thing. I'm not a fan of low-fi, I do like having controls. OTOH, there's definitely something fun about shooting a completely low-tech 6x6 camera that's older than I am. It is possible to get some great shots with it, even though it only has a shutter release, a film advance knob, and no double exposure protection. Even cooler is I can have Dwayne's convert the best ones to 35mm slides suitable for projection that bring back memories of shooting the Kodak Instamatic with its square images.

 

[pbromaghin]

True that. My first camera was a Kodak Instamatic. I put Kodachrome 64 in it. I think the year was somewhere between 1978 and 1981. Got a toy 35mm (non-Kodak) camera in 1986 I think it was. I didn't get an SLR until 1988. It was an ME Super.

My first camera was also an instamatic. 1964? I loved my ME Super. Shot it for 25 years, then the meter died and I fell into Minolta X-bodies, which I found I liked better. But man, that was a great camera.

 

[LinusK]

I've tried reading this whole thread with a bit of patience and reserve. But I wonder how many consumers there are out there like me, who appreciate the interview with the Kodak Alaris marketing guy.

I shoot digital and film. I enjoy shooting film because it is a different experience that makes me think about what I'm doing more and allows me to use some fantastic tools I would not otherwise use. I pick films based on quality, availability, and need (color v. b&w, film speed, format, etc). I've bought Fuji, Kodak, Kentmere, Ilford, and others. I honestly don't know how many 'hobbyist' film photographers like me there are out there (and I realize that we alone may not be enough of a market to sustain the industry), but I think I speak for some of us when I say that, when it comes to film, brand loyalty will not stop me from buying a competitor's product. It's not like a car. It's a few dollars on a roll of film. When all the choices are at least pretty good, I'm happy. I may have a favorite (I do, but I won't say), but because I am interesting in shooting film as a hobby, I am by nature experimenting and having fun with these products.

So, thanks, Kodak Alaris, bring it on. I'll buy.

 

[PKM-25]

I've tried reading this whole thread with a bit of patience and reserve. But I wonder how many consumers there are out there like me, who appreciate the interview with the Kodak Alaris marketing guy.

I shoot digital and film. I enjoy shooting film because it is a different experience that makes me think about what I'm doing more and allows me to use some fantastic tools I would not otherwise use. I pick films based on quality, availability, and need (color v. b&w, film speed, format, etc). I've bought Fuji, Kodak, Kentmere, Ilford, and others. I honestly don't know how many 'hobbyist' film photographers like me there are out there (and I realize that we alone may not be enough of a market to sustain the industry), but I think I speak for some of us when I say that, when it comes to film, brand loyalty will not stop me from buying a competitor's product. It's not like a car. It's a few dollars on a roll of film. When all the choices are at least pretty good, I'm happy. I may have a favorite (I do, but I won't say), but because I am interesting in shooting film as a hobby, I am by nature experimenting and having fun with these products.

So, thanks, Kodak Alaris, bring it on. I'll buy.

I'm not loyal to a brand either, but I am loyal to film and I see the bigger picture when it comes to moving it all forward in a positive direction. In my opinion, it is the kind of attitude above that is needed in order to keep moving film forward, so thanks for the reminder that we are all on the same team and need to stop the infighting...

 

[kuparikettu]

Got any questions you want to ask the new Kodak Alaris CEO? For the next two days it'll be possible on KA LinkedIn page: Dead Link Removed

I already posted one. Great opportunity to ask about film business and his plans concerning it!

 

[StoneNYC]

Got any questions you want to ask the new Kodak Alaris CEO? For the next two days it'll be possible on KA LinkedIn page: Dead Link Removed

I already posted one. Great opportunity to ask about film business and his plans concerning it!

Done