Infrared Ektachrome: possible after "normal"?

[Kino]

A relative of mine has started going back through his slides of the Big Bend National Park in Texas, and has posted some really interesting shots he made on Infrared Ektachrome in the 1970's.

https://flic.kr/p/27o2kRG

He states that it used to be sold in small quantities by a medical supply house in Arlington, Texas.

Now, this is totally a pipe-dream, but wouldn't it be nice if EK could turn out a small batch or two of this film after they get normal Ektachrome going?

 

[railwayman3]

I've no idea if it were true, but there was a persistent rumor that Infrared Ektachrome survived with the support of the US Government who kept stategic supplies available for aerial photography. When digital came into use for this purpose, IE was another casualty. Anyone know if this were so ?

 

[MattKing]

I've no idea if it were true, but there was a persistent rumor that Infrared Ektachrome survived with the support of the US Government who kept stategic supplies available for aerial photography. When digital came into use for this purpose, IE was another casualty. Anyone know if this were so ?

It also had a big presence in the forest industry for aerial survey of forested areas.
Both uses meant large volume purchases - the sort of volume that meant it was economic to make, even though it required very special handling, due to the fact that Kodak's infra-red based quality control systems had to be turned off.
The sales of individual rolls were simply an offshoot made possible by the large industrial purchases.

 

[pdeeh]

see, this

large volume purchases - the sort of volume that meant it was economic to make

makes this

turn out a small batch or two of this film

extraordinarily unlikely ...

 

[EdSawyer]

agreed, pretty unlikely. There is still frozen old-stock out there from 2009-2011 or so that still works fine.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I'd rather Kodak brought back HIE.

 

[MattKing]

I'd rather Kodak brought back HIE.

Sadly, the same issues respecting needed volume apply to HIE.

 

[Sirius Glass]

HIE and Infrared Ektachrome were supported and maintained by the US Government as a resource for decades. Its money supported those production lines long after the need had gone away. When money got tight the support was withdrawn. There will be no more government support of those films nor will anyone else put up that kind of money. Accept that those films are and will no longer be produced.

 

[Punker]

It's a shame but I agree with SG.

Have you seen that 200 ft. roll of color infrared someone has up on eBay? Anyone got an extra $6,000?

 

[mshchem]

Tell Trump that Putin has IR film. That will get it back into production Ha!

 

[darkroommike]

Tell Trump that Putin has IR film. That will get it back into production Ha!

Better yet tell Trump that Obama killed it.

 

[EdSawyer]

Don't pay the $6k for that roll of Aerochrome. That guy bought it for 1000 EU just a couple weeks ago from AerialSurvey.com. So, there's plenty of room for negotiation in that price.

 

[Punker]

Don't pay the $6k for that roll of Aerochrome. That guy bought it for 1000 EU just a couple weeks ago from AerialSurvey.com. So, there's plenty of room for negotiation in that price.

I think he's crazy not to just shoot every last inch of it!