Ektachrome E100 test rolls are OUT

[lantau]

I am no expert, but I thought when a motion picture is shot on film, it is shot on Vision 3 negative film, scanned, and edited digitally. Cinematographers want the look of film, so they get it in the initial capture, and from that point everything is handled in the digital domain. Am I mistaken? Nobody is shooting E6 and the only ones likely to do so are students. Kodak plans a develop and scan program for them as well, right?

It's probably not directed at major productions but film schools, independents and short films. Look at Kodak marketing. Its all on social media directed at the urban young (and young in mind) crowd. Looking at most, not all, regular posters here I agree with those upthread who argued that Kodak isn't marketing at those. Their business is hopefully a baselevel and surely welcome. But they think the survival of film is with these people.

If I am right that means that Kodak will most unlikely release new products for the darkroom (paper). There is a fraction of that modern target group who are willing to try the darkroom. But that niche of a niche is probably better catered for by the smaller and agile companies, which are still selling paper and darkroom supplies. Kodak is best set up for this scaled down large scale production and for that they need this young *crowd*. And they will likely love the 'look' of reversal motion film. Unlike negative, reversal will really deliver a look that is cast in stone/gelatin by the film itself. Not the scanning machines of Best Buy.

 

[cmacd123]

Back when Feature movies were SHOWN on Film, there was a fairly clear work-flow, involving Colour Negative, a masked Positive film, a lab Negative film, and finally a "release" print film. All the intermediate steps were on stocks with Lower Gamma or Contrast that still films.

reversal stocks like Kodachome and ektachrome were mostly used by Home movie makers as they avoided the need to make prints. There WAS a work-flow for 16mm Industrial (sales) and educational films using a Low contrast Ektachrome (ECO) and a reversal release print stock. The reversal stocks had finer grain than the Negative stocks at the time.

these days scanning and digital projection are the general exibition mode. the special Low contrast of the Vison Negatives is dialed out along the way, and the High contrast of normal ektachrome can also be dialled out. Reversal does not allow any wiggle room for adjustments after the fact, which can be an advantage for a film maker who wants to "Bake in" a look. For film school use, the lack of prints needed for direct projection and avoiding the need to scan images is still an advantage.

it is not clear if the new workflow might tempt some directors and cinematographers to use ektachrome for at least SOME scenes in their productions. Reversal DOES make colour "POP"

 

[Kino]

There was an E6 craze in music videos in the late 80's and early 90's, so this might re-emerge.

 

[ME Super]

It's probably not directed at major productions but film schools, independents and short films. Look at Kodak marketing. Its all on social media directed at the urban young (and young in mind) crowd. Looking at most, not all, regular posters here I agree with those upthread who argued that Kodak isn't marketing at those. Their business is hopefully a baselevel and surely welcome. But they think the survival of film is with these people.
.

I happen to agree with that assessment. I grew up with slide film in the 1970s and 1980s, and when I ran across my slide projector and old slides languishing in the garage, and the 35mm SLR in a cabinet, that's what brought me back to film from the dark side. But it's the younger people who will keep film around after the next 20 or so years, when guys like me are ready to retire. I wish EK and KA all the success in the world in the return of Ektachrome, and I'll do something to help that along, but it's the younger crowd that's going to make it viable long-term.

 

[Cholentpot]

I happen to agree with that assessment. I grew up with slide film in the 1970s and 1980s, and when I ran across my slide projector and old slides languishing in the garage, and the 35mm SLR in a cabinet, that's what brought me back to film from the dark side. But it's the younger people who will keep film around after the next 20 or so years, when guys like me are ready to retire. I wish EK and KA all the success in the world in the return of Ektachrome, and I'll do something to help that along, but it's the younger crowd that's going to make it viable long-term.

I'm almost out of that younger crowd demographic. The younger than me crowd sees film as really cool and hip and retro. If you shoot film you're authentic and it's awesome. No reasons needed.

It's my age group and older that tell me I'm nuts and why would you do that if you have a professional DSLR etc and etc.

 

[faberryman]

I'm almost out of that younger crowd demographic. The younger than me crowd sees film as really cool and hip and retro. If you shoot film you're authentic and it's awesome. No reasons needed.

Can you tell me how this younger generation uses film? Do they carry cameras with them when they are out and about? Do they share prints with friends? I never see any film cameras in the hands of anyone, young or old, so the film revival seem ephemeral to me.

 

[AgX]

Great news from Kodak! We should all rejoyce! I hope all the young hipsters around the world storm in and snatch this new Ektachrome from the shelves to make slides or cross-process it in C41 ...

The hipsters seemingly not even grabbed from the shelves the cheap Precisa film...
Or is it all about marketing?

 

[eddie]

I haven't shot any color in years, but I'm rooting for success with this project. I also don't understand the lack of patience some have. Kodak only has one chance to get this right. A lesser product will be doomed, even if they promise "improvements". It's far more important that they get it right than we get it quickly.

 

[DREW WILEY]

They already had the best Ektachrome ever in E100G. Who knows what exactly this will be. Does me no good if they make it only in 35mm. But I'll test it, regardless,
just in case.

 

[faberryman]

They already had the best Ektachrome ever in E100G. Who knows what exactly this will be. Does me no good if they make it only in 35mm. But I'll test it, regardless,
just in case.

I have forgotten where I read it, but my understanding is that they are using the E100G formulation for the new Ektachrome.

 

[BrianShaw]

I have forgotten where I read it, but my understanding is that they are using the E100G formulation for the new Ektachrome.

That would be very nice.

 

[fdonadio]

I have forgotten where I read it, but my understanding is that they are using the E100G formulation for the new Ektachrome.

I saw it on an Instagram post.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

...
It's my age group and older that tell me I'm nuts and why would you do that if you have a professional DSLR etc and etc.

Before I began sending film to a lab, young workers at stores that still processed film looked at me as if I were a dinosaur incapable of comprehending digital technology. Other people who see me with a film camera give me a puzzled look, probably thinking the same thing.

... I never see any film cameras in the hands of anyone, young or old, so the film revival seem ephemeral to me.

I never see anyone with an actual camera, digital or otherwise. Yet I was outside in the neighborhood this afternoon making photos with a Nikon F from 1964.

Anyway, I'm highly interested in the reintroduction of Ektachrome and will definitely be using it.

 

[Cholentpot]

Can you tell me how this younger generation uses film? Do they carry cameras with them when they are out and about? Do they share prints with friends? I never see any film cameras in the hands of anyone, young or old, so the film revival seem ephemeral to me.

I can tell you that way back in 2015 I was in D.C. and was counting the youngsters with film cameras. I saw a nice smattering of K1000s and a few Nikons. More recently at Niagara Falls I spotted a gent with a Pentax Auto 110 among others. Center Island in Toronto I chatted with a fellow lugging around a Hasselblad of some sort and here and there are kids running around with point and shoots. The ones I bump into are generally hobbyists who've graduated from entry level DSLRs. I can tell you that the local camera shop can't keep Portra in stock and their dark room chemistry rotates pretty quick. Xtol is always gone by the time I get there and the choices are growing every time I stop in.

Most don't use darkrooms or process themselves, they send off to lab and share the scans on Instagram.

To be honest though I'm the only one I know in my circles who shoots film. Cameras are still very popular as many of my peers or younger don't use smart phones. I've had my photos published in papers and magazines, both digital and film.

Before I began sending film to a lab, young workers at stores that still processed film looked at me as if I were a dinosaur incapable of comprehending digital technology. Other people who see me with a film camera give me a puzzled look, probably thinking the same thing.



I never see anyone with an actual camera, digital or otherwise. Yet I was outside in the neighborhood this afternoon making photos with a Nikon F from 1964.

Anyway, I'm highly interested in the reintroduction of Ektachrome and will definitely be using it.

I get the 'ol 'They still make film?' and if I'm lucky 'Hey, ya know I've got one kicking around in a closet. Want it?'

That's how I got my Pen EE3, Bronica S2, K1000, C3, 500n and many more cameras. Sometimes I get film, sometimes I get negatives. People know me and gladly handover cameras if they know they'll get used. I use them on the job and it really gets a smile, nothing like the photog fiddling around with a cranky piece of equipment. I get teased in good nature but they're blown away when they see the scans or my prints. It set me apart from the pack of hungry photographers locally. Kids are proud to state that I shot their Bar Mitzvah portrait on film, it's becoming a boast.

 

[btaylor]

reversal stocks like Kodachome and ektachrome were mostly used by Home movie makers as they avoided the need to make prints. For film school use, the lack of prints needed for direct projection and avoiding the need to scan images is still an advantage.

Hence the Super 8 camera AND Ektachrome. I have recently shot S8 and the lack of color reversal options really gets in the way (I shot Tri X reversal). Shooting negative requires a transfer to digital for any type of viewing or editing adding considerable cost and hassle to the process. Direct projection was what S8 was designed for. I think it's still a great learning tool. Short cartridge running times force one to think about each shot carefully. You have to bake your look on the film in camera. No sync sound, so picture and sound are approached separately as they should be. I have to guess that was at least part the thought behind the announcement of the S8 camera and return of Ektachrome.

 

[wblynch]

I still have 20-30 rolls of Ektachrome in the freezer from when it first went out. I seldom shoot it, keeping its rarity in mind.

With the re-introduction I feel free to shoot away and use it up, knowing I can get more. Too bad it’s impossible for K-chrome but I’ll take the younger sister.

 

[Ai Print]

I just met for brunch with a half a dozen young photographers I mentor and four of them were carrying film cameras. One of them has also been doing collodion and the work is incredible, fresh eyes and ideas on historical alt process. These are students I taught digital photography to who also took great interest in film and even wet printing.

It has zero to do with being hip and everything to do with having a more personal approach to living the journey that is Photography. None of them post on this site due to how caustic it is in terms of how people engage on here. I told them that is probably a good idea.

On another note I am seeing a lot more beta testers post about receiving Ektachrome to test, including Super 8. It looks to be going really well so far which is great news for those who shoot E6 emulsions, disclaimer, I only shoot black and white but share in the excitement of those who shoot color.

So far, so good. #Godak

 

[BAC1967]

There are a number of Super 8 Ektachrome beta testers popping up online now as well.

 

[BrianShaw]

So I've perused all 104 posts in this thread hoping to learn that at least someone on Photrio is participating in the trial of the "new" Ektachrome. But it seems no one has been so chosen or if they have, they are are not sharing it here. That's influence.

I believe the reports of testers, but this thought just keeps resonating in my ears.

 

[Ai Print]

I was offered to participate but passed since I do not shoot color film.

 

[BrianShaw]

I was offered to participate but passed since I do not shoot color film.

Ahhhhhh.

 

[MattKing]

I was offered to participate but passed since I do not shoot color film.

You mean that you don't shoot colour film any more.

 

[Agulliver]

I am seeing far more people out and about with real cameras....some DLSRS and an equal amount of film equipment - much of it vintage. Just yesterday while having coffee and then dinner in the City of London (business area pretty unpopular on weekends) I saw three people with film SLRs walk past the coffee shop. I see young people with 80s Nikons, 70s Pentaxes. The strange looks as if I am mad when out and about with a film camera have changed to knowing looks, questions about my "gear". Sure, some people don't get it but the frequency with which I am met with enthusiasm has drastically increased. Wander around Camden with a 50s camera and people *want* to be photographed. Take a digital camera or phone and they are paranoid. Go figure.

I've written before about taking an SLR to the beach and being accused of all sorts of mal-intent. That seems to have changed, last month I was not only the only person with a film SLR at the beach but my TLR got some approving looks too.

 

[Cholentpot]

I am seeing far more people out and about with real cameras....some DLSRS and an equal amount of film equipment - much of it vintage. Just yesterday while having coffee and then dinner in the City of London (business area pretty unpopular on weekends) I saw three people with film SLRs walk past the coffee shop. I see young people with 80s Nikons, 70s Pentaxes. The strange looks as if I am mad when out and about with a film camera have changed to knowing looks, questions about my "gear". Sure, some people don't get it but the frequency with which I am met with enthusiasm has drastically increased. Wander around Camden with a 50s camera and people *want* to be photographed. Take a digital camera or phone and they are paranoid. Go figure.

I've written before about taking an SLR to the beach and being accused of all sorts of mal-intent. That seems to have changed, last month I was not only the only person with a film SLR at the beach but my TLR got some approving looks too.

People love TLRs, it makes them smile.

 

[ic-racer]

Get your 35mm cameras ready gentlemen and gentlewomen"

Get your slide projectors ready!