Ken, technology similar to Ektar and very advanced could have been introduced by EK into a new line of E6 films and if they had, believe me it would have knocked your socks off! But they didn't.
I don't doubt that for a second, Ron. Not for a second. But unless you know something we don't, Kodak isn't going to act on that technology, are they?
I'd honestly give my right arm if Kodak had decided to go in a different direction. Perhaps more like the Leica brand. Or the Ilford brand. Feet firmly planted in both digital and analog photographic camps. Had become the preeminent overall
imaging company, regardless of technology. What a dream-come-true that would have been.
I'm still having a hard time accepting that up here in the Pacific Northwest the autumn colors are coming, and Kodak transparency film will again play no part in it. And that when the holiday photos arrive after that, Kodak won't even be mentioned. My wife will have Fujifilm C-41, and I'll have Ilford B&W in my antique cameras. There's something still very unnatural for me about that. I'd been a loyal Kodak customer (including that professional stint in a small commercial darkroom) for my entire life.
Heck, you should see my personal darkroom, Ron. Actually, you already have. Remember that Kodak Workshop Series book
Building a Home Darkroom? THAT's my darkroom. Right down to the recommended plastic vapor barrier sheeting before the walls and paneling went up. Walk in and you'll think you're standing inside that damned book. The book still sits on a shelf in that darkroom as I write this. It was my darkroom construction Bible.
No, I kept up my end of the loyalty bargain. As I know so many of you guys did as well. You guys, and the products and processes you made available for us all to use, were awesome. And I don't use that term very often.
But today I have to deal with the realities. Kodak walked away. And others are trying to step up and take their place. And while the former is a bad thing, the latter is a good thing. I don't think anyone is expecting a Kodak-level next-generation knock-your-socks-off E-6 product. I know I'm not. But without a superior quality Kodak product to compare it against, people will adjust pretty quickly. And I'm sure it will also improve over time.
Fujifilm comparisons, you say? Well, maybe at the beginning. But not for very much longer, I fear. And the promise of longer-term availability will probably trump in that case anyway. The only film I've ever hoarded is about 45 rolls of Provia 400 in 120, currently frozen, to tide me over until hopefully Ferrania can cook up something at that speed. Maybe they will. Maybe they won't. I guess we'll see.
So the bottom line for me continues to be
an E-6 film in the hand is worth two in the bush. Or, more bluntly,
when deciding which films to purchase, extinction is not a viable film choice option...
Go Ferrania.
Ken