Kodak Reintroduces Ektachrome.

Craig · Jan 13, 2017

Photo Engineer said:
I have been able to restore many of them during scanning for upload.
PE

I saw some Ektachromes in 4x5 taken in 1955 and they were mostly good, except for the cleat marks from the hangar from processing. There was magenta staining from them, it almost looked like the magenta had bleed out of the cleat marks and run down the film. More difficult to restore digitally, as it isn't uniform.

faberryman · Jan 13, 2017

Ai Print said:
To each his own I guess, but based on the PM's (4 now) sent to me recently saying thank you for posting it, a fair number of people here think it stinks.....I also think the bitching stinks.

Are you bitchin' 'bout the bitchin' stinkin'?

Nzoomed · Jan 14, 2017

Ai Print said:
I guess...seems like once the negative tack starts, it is all it is at that point. I guess people really like it, the endless debating, the bashing, the conspiracy theories, the speculations and the constant asking for what they don't have and not showing appreciation for what we do have.

To each his own I guess, but based on the PM's (4 now) sent to me recently saying thank you for posting it, a fair number of people here think it stinks.....I also think the bitching stinks.

Completley agree!
Im one of many who like it!

Steve Mccurry will also be very happy

unityofsaints · Jan 14, 2017

The press conference shows an image of E100 but they don't explicitly state which speed(s) they're going to start off with - could it be E200? There is no "big three" 200 ISO E-6 film currently so there would be less competition.

A_T · Jan 14, 2017

It'll be 100 - faster slide films were the first to go suggesting much lower demand. Fuji's excellent 400x was an excellent film but didn't last long.

BAC1967 · Jan 14, 2017

If the primary reason for bringing back Ektachrome is the new Super 8 camera I would bet on ISO of 100. An ISO of 200 is a bit fast for shooting outdoors with most Super 8 cameras. I'm not sure how the new camera would handle a faster film but if they also want to sell to people with older cameras they shoul stick with something around 100 or less.

Nzoomed · Jan 14, 2017

BAC1967 said:
If the primary reason for bringing back Ektachrome is the new Super 8 camera I would bet on ISO of 100. An ISO of 200 is a bit fast for shooting outdoors with most Super 8 cameras. I'm not sure how the new camera would handle a faster film but if they also want to sell to people with older cameras they shoul stick with something around 100 or less.

It will be ISO100, thats what Kodak said when they made the announcement (they are calling it E100)

fstop · Jan 14, 2017

faberryman said:
Are you bitchin' 'bout the bitchin' stinkin'?

Its fantasy to think everyone is going to think everything is just ducky.

mshchem · Jan 14, 2017

Along with Ektachrome I would like. Pre-paid processing mailers and the cool painted aluminum film canisters.

AgX · Jan 15, 2017

To put Kodak's view on cinegraphic Ektachrome into perspective:

The only lab here in Germany offering Super-8 film E-6 processing just last quarter cancelled that E-6 processing of S-8, but keep on with 16mm E-6.
That may be read as diminishing interest in E-6 Super-8 as such, or in a growing interest in home-processing.

Sarath · Jan 15, 2017

I am buying 40 rolls, no questions.

Sarath · Jan 15, 2017

You are most lucky.

480sparky said:
Got a 35mm back for it? Here's my stash:

Sarath · Jan 15, 2017

pdeeh said:
Personally, I think Kodak will have failed bitterly if they do not reintroduce the 1950s.

Agreed

Nzoomed · Jan 15, 2017

AgX said:
To put Kodak's view on cinegraphic Ektachrome into perspective:

The only lab here in Germany offering Super-8 film E-6 processing just last quarter cancelled that E-6 processing of S-8, but keep on with 16mm E-6.
That may be read as diminishing interest in E-6 Super-8 as such, or in a growing interest in home-processing.

Wittner-Cinetec in Germany offer 8mm E6 processing

AgX · Jan 15, 2017

Yes, but Wittner are a dealer in equipment and meanwhile film converter too, but not a lab in the common sense. They only process sent-in film in batches every few months. I'm not even sure they process themselves.

Theo Sulphate · Jan 15, 2017

pdeeh said:
Personally, I think Kodak will have failed bitterly if they do not reintroduce the 1950s.

You are correct!

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/e6/82/80/e682800c2273becd9b12c05b97442cdd.jpg

Cropline · Jan 16, 2017

Roger Cole said:
What exactly would you want changed?

There is very little in film cameras that could be done and would need to be done that has not been done.

Since the question was asked, I'd like to see-in the Canon EOS line, anyway-an updated 1v(mk ll) that has ettl- ll and the ability to autofocus micro adjust. The ettl- ll would also allow exposure automation use w/Pro foto B-1's and the interfit (s1?) cordless battery strobes. While they were at it, they could update their film exposure data imprinting.(I'll leave GPS info to others) They could also improves auto focus to -2 or-3 EV and
update the auto focus/tracking to current standards. What a film camera that would be, LOL!
It would be nice if the resurgence of film users and plans by Sean to update this site led to the implementation of a new 35mm camera. Could happen at some future point.

StoneNYC · Jan 17, 2017

Cropline said:
Since the question was asked, I'd like to see-in the Canon EOS line, anyway-an updated 1v(mk ll) that has ettl- ll and the ability to autofocus micro adjust. The ettl- ll would also allow exposure automation use w/Pro foto B-1's and the interfit (s1?) cordless battery strobes. While they were at it, they could update their film exposure data imprinting.(I'll leave GPS info to others) They could also improves auto focus to -2 or-3 EV and
update the auto focus/tracking to current standards. What a film camera that would be, LOL!
It would be nice if the resurgence of film users and plans by Sean to update this site led to the implementation of a new 35mm camera. Could happen at some future point.

That camera would cost $3,000-$6,000 would you pay that?

The 1V new NOW costs $1,200-$1,500 new and that's just left over backstop from well over 10 years ago.

I don't understand what you mean about the profoto, I use my 1V with my profoto gear all the time, you just use the Canon specific pocket wizard strobe trigger with the standard pocket wizard receivers or profoto receivers since they both work together (aren't profoto receivers made by pocket wizard anyway?). So I'm not sure what the issue is. It can even do second curtain sync I believe. I always shoot manual to be honest so I haven't looked into whether the 1V has TTL that balances daylight and strobe control, but I would think with film since you can't check it, you would just want to set it manually anyway.

Maybe I'm missing something?

shutterboy · Jan 18, 2017

benjiboy said:
It doesn't say "April" it says "the fourth quarter of 2017" not the fourth month, that's between the first of October and the thirty first of December 2017.

I was more referring to an April fool joke.... I have a very broken sense of humour. :-/

braxus · Jan 22, 2017

Nzoomed said:
OK, well the audio clip says they are basically exploring what it would take to bring it back.

At the end of the video, he says Ektachrome wont be the last product to return, so its anybody's guess what we may see come back!

I emailed Kodak and asked if they'd consider re-introducing Plus X and Panatomic X. He forwarded my email to the appropriate person. They did say they were considering other products, so I thought now is the time to let them know what we'd want to see from them. Plus X shouldn't be so hard since it was only 5 or so years ago it was discontinued. Panatomic X would be more difficult, but I question if they will consider that one. It would have to be re-engineered for today.

Athiril said:
Personally Id rather an Ektachrome 25 or Ektar 25

This is what turned into Ektar 100. Based off the 25 film, but with its double sensitization emulsion to make it 100 speed. Very unlikely they'll make a new film which the 25 would then be based on current technology.

Helinophoto said:
After Ektrachrome, I wished they would look into reviving Plus-x (35mm and 120), but from what I gather, they axed it because it wasn't selling well enough, so who knows....
I have bought and seen that the last remaining rolls of bulk Plus-X 5231 (cine) has never lasted for very long online, before being snatched away at pretty good prices.

I have been buying many of the 16mm Plus X films off Ebay for my Bolex H16. I'd like to see Plus X return for both still and motion picture film. Doesn't have the be the reversal product, but negative yes. I loved the contrast and grain structure Plus X had. Beautiful film.

Europan said:
They could, in fact they can, make a good black and white reversal film (with AHU) and sell it cheap.

Any negative B&W film can be made into a reversal film. If they were to do that, I'd like to see Panatomic X be an option for reversal. It didn't have the extreme contrast other B&W films of that speed had, as its contrast was moderate even in sunlight.

But yes Plus X and Panatomic X are my two picks for reintroduction. Let Kodak know if you want these films to come back. They will only consider it if enough people ask them to do it.

AgX · Jan 23, 2017

braxus said:
Any negative B&W film can be made into a reversal film.

No, depending what you understand by "reversal film".

In common understanding this means more than just having a colourless, high transparency base.

Lachlan Young · Jan 23, 2017

braxus said:
This is what turned into Ektar 100. Based off the 25 film, but with its double sensitization emulsion to make it 100 speed. Very unlikely they'll make a new film which the 25 would then be based on current technology.

braxus said:
But yes Plus X and Panatomic X are my two picks for reintroduction. Let Kodak know if you want these films to come back. They will only consider it if enough people ask them to do it.

I think you may have partially answered your own question - FX and TMX seem to have much the same relationship as you suggest exists between current Ektar 100 and early 90s Ektar 25. Furthermore, depending on what developer you choose, & how you want to expose TMX, your effective EI may end up dropping to about 50, which negates the perceived benefits of FX. There are very few films that come close to or exceed the resolution of TMX that can also be processed without specialised developers.

PX (and Verichrome Pan?) may have a slightly greater chance of return, but I doubt Kodak will re-introduce any product that may negatively impact on sales of their current portfolio of films.

Out of all the films you listed, 5231/7231 probably has the best chance of return.

If I had a choice in such matters, I'd like to see a Portra 100T again...

flavio81 · Jan 23, 2017

braxus said:
Any negative B&W film can be made into a reversal film.

Not really. Acros 100, for example, can't be reversed, according to DR5 and others.

For practical reversal, also, you need a very clear film base. And perhaps other considerations.

However, you could say that most B&W films can be reversed with no problems.

Photo Engineer · Jan 23, 2017

Ektar 100 is not a higher speed version of Ektar 25. The emulsion types and sensitization as well as the couplers have been changed completely.

PE

Lachlan Young · Jan 23, 2017

Photo Engineer said:
Ektar 100 is not a higher speed version of Ektar 25. The emulsion types and sensitization as well as the couplers have been changed completely.

PE

Agreed - should have made it clearer that I meant 'its equivalent place in Kodak's range of negative films' rather than reinforcing suggested specific chemical similarities from the post I was replying to.

Kodak Reintroduces Ektachrome.

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency