How to nudge Kodachrome back into the consumer's eye

Ken Nadvornick · Oct 22, 2008

Just had 4 processed rolls returned from Dwayne's. And 4 more new ones to replace them (12/09 1557). Also had my new 18x24 lightbox arrive from B&H on the same day. Never owned a lightbox before. What a glorious evening. Laid out my first 36 frames, then flipped the switches.

Holy cow!

It was the same feeling I had as a kid when I held up my first 35mm Kodachrome slide to a sheet of notebook paper in front of a light bulb. Except this was 5000K. Those distinctively brilliant Kodachrome colors just flew off that lightbox. I also purchased an inexpensive pair of 6x magnifying eyeglasses, normally for the sight-impaired. An excellent way to scan a group of slides up close all at once. Spent the longest time just marveling at the sight of my utterly pedestrian compositions on that box.

It should be somehow illegal to have this much fun.

Ken

michaelbsc · Oct 22, 2008

Radioiron said:
After a few emails to Dwayne's in Kansas, I have found out that they can
process KR-64 if I slit it down to 9.2mm and send it to them in sealed cans!

Now, does this also imply that they can process 16mm as well. My understanding, clearly wrong, was that they could only handle 35mm in plain old cans. They have told me point blank some time ago that they cannot process 120.

Perhaps they can do smaller film in the line designed for 35mm, but cannot do wider film. I can't say.

So, maybe if you slit 35mm to Minox format, I can buy the leftover from you for Minolta 16.

MB

Photo Engineer · Oct 22, 2008

Many older roller transport systems had undercuts that would handle 3 sizes of film, 35 mm, 16 mm, and super 8. IDK if this is the case here, but I have seen and worked with machines that handled all of these 3 sizes with no problem whatsoever.

They cannot handle larger sizes.

PE

Radioiron · Oct 22, 2008

On their website it does say they can process 16mm and they specifically say that they can process old 110 Kchrome which is 16mm film in that cassette.

On the slitting, I use every last bit of the film that I can, my jig makes 2 strips side by side and after cutting strips to length I ended up with 4 36 exp and 2 15 exp. Not bad for 8 bucks worth of film! The only waste was 2 thin strips of sprocket holes and a little bit of the leader.

Ken Nadvornick · Nov 2, 2008

Calumet currently says "call for availability" on Kodachrome.

Freestyle shows Kodachrome as "low stock - please call..."

B&H currently shows Kodachrome as out-of-stock.

Didn't these guys just restock a short time ago?

Ken

John Shriver · Nov 2, 2008

Photo Engineer said:
Kodak would never sell outdated film! That is unethical. AFAIK, they have never done that.

PE

The last rolls of Kodachrome 200 were mighty close to expired. Very short shelf life, and I think it's the only consumer Kodak film I've seen marked with "store below 55º F". But, this was OK for the target market, and we were glad to take that instead of them pitching the master roll. Three rolls of it in the freezer compartment of my film fridge, along with my last roll of Kodachrome 25.

alan doyle · Jan 28, 2009

Now polaroid SX-70 is gone I have very little regret because not only I have used the legendary artistic film myself, my kids also tried them. How many kids in this age knew and used SX-70 and its manipulations?
n.[/QUOTE]

not quite the dodo is not comin back but methinks some polaroid film stocks will including..sx..
Dead Link Removed
and guess who one of the guys putting his money and time is...florian one of the original lomographic society guys..
kodachrome needs shooters and people who will at least try to think of some positive things to do now..not when the cancel notice goes up on kodaks website..

PKM-25 · Jan 28, 2009

Well Alan, I am doing my part, I am scanning nearly 100 Kodachromes from the inauguration is DC last week. Should have t-shirts for the Kodachrome Project ready in a couple weeks..

cooltouch · Jan 28, 2009

Being still kinda new to APUG, this is the first I've seen of this thread.

It's been years since I shot Kodachrome. Glad to see that K64 is still available. K64 was just about all I shot. I look back at slides from 25 years ago, and the E-6 processed slides have a noticeable magenta cast now, but the Kodachromes are as bright and colorful as the day they came back from the lab.

I guess I need to stock up on some more and reacquaint myself with this film. One tip I picked up way back when was to shoot K64 at ISO 80. It seemed to help saturation some. Anyone else do this?

Best,

Michael

B

PKM-25 · Jan 29, 2009

This is how you keep it alive, by using it:

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accozzaglia · Jan 29, 2009

Very impressive documentation, PKM-25. I'm thrilled someone was there and capturing the event with Kodachrome. You were possibly the only one!

kraker · Jan 30, 2009

PKM-25 said:
This is how you keep it alive, by using it:

Dead Link Removed

Great! I remember someone, probably you, asking in one of the Kodachrome threads here if somebody was going to shoot Kodachrome at the inauguration. You really are committed! You did it! Went there and shot the event on Kodachrome. That is just great.

Some wonderful shots you made! Sorry, I'm not going to bother creating a flickr account for posting comments, but I'll say it here: well done!

PKM-25 · Jan 30, 2009

Thanks for the kudos guys! Doing it is always much better than just talking about it.

So speaking of which, I have created an invite only group on Flicker for those who are in for the project to show work for evaluation, critiques, visual reference and just to plain old see how we are doing in this:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/989165@N20/

To reiterate, I am hoping to see a fantastic book come of this project after the film turns 75 and we select from the 3-4 years of work prior to that which coincides with the conception of the project.

This is not a for profit thing, if a book gets published and your photos are in it, you will not only be paid for that, but unlike those photo book publishing schemes, you will be contacted prior to any additional requests for publication of any kind.

So just think in terms of this:

Kodachrome at 75, maximum heart and soul equals a book, exhibit and a body of work with maximum impact on the coat tails of media history!

I think I hear a clock ticking........ . . . .

alan doyle · Jan 30, 2009

what i think is fascinating about your kodachrome shots..they are contemporary and historical at the same time..
all the shit digital shots of obama in the oval office are a disgrace..bad technique..i hope obama has some proper magnum quality photographers...shooting in the background for a future view...if all he has is this bland stuff that is coming out..then that will be a shame...
good work and thanks for suffering for two histories americas and kodachromes.

How to nudge Kodachrome back into the consumer's eye

Do you really care if Kodachrome remains, or are the other options more suitable for

Yes, Kodachrome fills a specific need or desire for me that I care about.

No, Kodachrome is not important in my work or hobby use.

Ken Nadvornick

michaelbsc

Photo Engineer

Radioiron

Ken Nadvornick

John Shriver

alan doyle

PKM-25

cooltouch

PKM-25

accozzaglia

kraker

PKM-25

alan doyle

How to nudge Kodachrome back into the consumer's eye

Do you really care if Kodachrome remains, or are the other options more suitable for

Yes, Kodachrome fills a specific need or desire for me that I care about.

No, Kodachrome is not important in my work or hobby use.

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