Kodak Reintroduces Ektachrome.

Poisson Du Jour · Nov 21, 2017

Provia 100F is $27 a roll here in Australia, but it's retail/street-level availability is becoming troublesome as it has been swept up by online sellers who offer it cheaper ($12 for instance). You have to realise that retailers have to add mark-up and overheads costs and this pushes the price over everything up — not just film! It has nothing to do with what the manufacturer of the film says you must pay.

I only use Provia 100F for pinhole work; it is too cool and sterile for landscape work, in which case RVP has been a two-decade-plus favourite.

braxus · Nov 21, 2017

I'm going to call Kodak on my day off to see if they can send a test roll out when its available. They've done this in the past. Whether there will be any film left to send out will be in question. I prefer Kodak over Fuji too, but used a lot of Fuji for slides. I hope 16mm and 120 is available at some point too. I still have some 4x5 E100G in a box I have yet to use.

braxus · Nov 27, 2017

Tried calling Kodak Alaris. They have no one you can talk to about their professional films. I had to email them on it. Doesn't seem they support the film people anymore by phone which is sad, as sometimes you need certain information that email takes too long to get.

xtolsniffer · Dec 5, 2017

According to the latest Amateur Photographer magazine in the UK, it's supposed to be out in the early New year - I can't remember the exact phrasing, I stopped buying it when it went 99% digital, so I only read it in the supermarket when I pass the magazine aisle, but I think that was supposed to be information from Kodak.

trendland · Dec 5, 2017

Yes - if I remember correct you are right from stopping buying this magazine.
UK Amateur Photographer or British Amateur Photographer something in that direction from title.
I remember some issues from the 80th - it was rather expensive and with not so much substance (even to amateuric photograpers) ....sorry but I can't come to the real title ...from remind?
Better remember an other magazine from that time - exact title : "American Cinematographer" - real expensive and it did not help so very much.
(remember a colleague who bought this magazine every month)

.
But your magazine is right.Today Kodak is testing the new film.
But (so it seams to me) they are not testing the characteristics of the new emulsion.This has to be done before - it is still finished.They are testing the market. If you are one of the lucky ones
you better hurry up to your postbox immediately. So you can find a package with new Ektachrome to try out : "With special greetings from Kodak"
with regards

trendland · Dec 5, 2017

braxus said:
Tried calling Kodak Alaris. They have no one you can talk to about their professional films. I had to email them on it. Doesn't seem they support the film people anymore by phone which is sad, as sometimes you need certain information that email takes too long to get.

If I remember correct such situations in the past - it is allways the same procedure.

"Please don't call us - we will call you"!
You did not remember ?
But don't give up pls....

with regards

PS : Seriously - the test films will come soon to provide the press with additional
informations.This should happen a few days before Kodak will introduces the new film official.
The schedule may be more precise - during a trade fair.
After this you may get a test film - with big luck (you mentioned simular reaction)
and at last your local dealer will get some films.
But today Kodak is still testing the market.
They have no idea at all to what pricing they should sell the stuff.
We could tell them a real good price braxus ? Am I right or am I right ....

braxus · Dec 10, 2017

My efforts to contact Alaris seemed to have gotten nowhere. I've had no reply back from them, nor anyway of calling them. If they support the film market, you'd never know it coming from Kodak. I'm used to the way they used to support the end user, but today the customer has no way of talking to them. So its basically buy our product, whether you have the needed info or not. Kodak used to be better run then how it is now. At least in terms of Alaris anyway. How are they supposed to sell this stuff if the customer can't talk to them about it? Anyway so much for the test roll. Looks like I have to wait till Freestyle gets some stock in to order.

braxus · Dec 11, 2017

Well how about that. The day after I made the post above, Alaris contacts me. I wonder if they are following this forum? Anyway he had this to say:

"Activity is now focused on narrow coating work to optimize curve shape, based on what was learned in the first wide event. Given the progress to-date, we are optimistic that the new film could be generally available in Q1 of 2018."

Nzoomed · Dec 12, 2017

braxus said:
Well how about that. The day after I made the post above, Alaris contacts me. I wonder if they are following this forum? Anyway he had this to say:

"Activity is now focused on narrow coating work to optimize curve shape, based on what was learned in the first wide event. Given the progress to-date, we are optimistic that the new film could be generally available in Q1 of 2018."

I think i also read that same quote from them posted from them earlier this month.

Punker · Dec 12, 2017

I worry about the price point after they announced that the 8mm camera was going to be more than triple what they said initially. I understand some price adjustments the closer a product gets to market but that much? Who is the camera aimed for now? Pros don't use Super 8 and the average amateur would mostly likely not pay that much.

Early announcement

Latest announcement

I hope Ektachrome doesn't land on the wrong side of $10.

AgX · Dec 13, 2017

Punker said:
I worry about the price point after they announced that the 8mm camera was going to be more than triple what they said initially.

Sixfolded !

Lachlan Young · Dec 13, 2017

Punker said:
I worry about the price point after they announced that the 8mm camera was going to be more than triple what they said initially. I understand some price adjustments the closer a product gets to market but that much? Who is the camera aimed for now? Pros don't use Super 8 and the average amateur would mostly likely not pay that much.

Early announcement

Latest announcement

I hope Ektachrome doesn't land on the wrong side of $10.

Umm, you're wrong about the 'pros don't use super-8' - the precise reason this camera exists is to service the demand for a new, reliable way of shooting S8 in production environments when the aesthetic of S8 is called for - be it for promo films, music videos or for certain shots in shorts/ features. That it's going to be available in the 2.5-3k price band is remarkable - the smallest cinema quality silent S16 camera (Aaton A-Minima) was about 20K I recall. This is about making a camera that can produce images of a broadcastable/ streamable quality, that's still easy to operate.

For that matter, I'd be more convinced of the viability of the 'Reflex' camera project if its founders had an aim price in the same range.

AgX · Dec 13, 2017

As a professional cinematographer, I still would use existant means. I do not see the advantages in such environment of the new camera, other than that you could use it right out of the parcel.

Well... Europan hinted at deficiencies at mounting it.

trendland · Dec 13, 2017

Lachlan Young said:
Umm, you're wrong about the 'pros don't use super-8' - the precise reason this camera exists is to service the demand for a new, reliable way of shooting S8 in production environments when the aesthetic of S8 is called for - be it for promo films, music videos or for certain shots in shorts/ features. That it's going to be available in the 2.5-3k price band is remarkable - the smallest cinema quality silent S16 camera (Aaton A-Minima) was about 20K I recall. This is about making a camera that can produce images of a broadcastable/ streamable quality, that's still easy to operate.

For that matter, I'd be more convinced of the viability of the 'Reflex' camera project if its founders had an aim price in the same range.

Yes that are realy interisting plans from Kodak to revival Super8.
But I have strongly doubts on it. The mass market suported Super8 as a kind of "last man standing demand to Super8 films" at last many of these amateuric Super8 filmmakers were whimpering.Kodak made a very bad job by let the support of Kodakchrome labs ending.The development of K14 was priced within the films. At the end they paid again to develope at Dwaynes.Then Kodak presents the Ektachrome 100D (double price - much more grainy).At the end Kodak let them pay the more price to develope these films than complete pricing with Kodakchrome.Just from development - the films itself were double priced.Then Kodak discontinued Ektachrome 100D.FROM my oppinium todays reality is the following : There can't be any Super8 amateuric filmmakers remaining. They were eredicated from Kodaks product policy in the past. TO have big plans now - with proffesional filmmakers and high priced equipment is a kind of cynical answer from Kodak regarding the destroyd Super8 task group.But never mind - are the plans realistic ? I would like to state they are "just an illusion" like the song by the British trio IMAGINATION. But why is this so? The use of Super8 was indeed a way for comercials, promo films, music videos. But please forgive me - this was a smal niche from eccentric directors all the time.Special in the 90th - with old Super8 equipment.To relauch this workflow Kodak is thinking of - is a mission impossible.Even if Kodak will pay 85% of full production costs it is unrealistic. Because the digital workflow has reached filmmakers to 90% meanwhile. If the aestetic of Super8 is a demand - it is much more practicable to reach this in post production.The final trend in digital workflow from filmmaking is HDR filming.So Kodak's plans with heavy priced Super8 equipment to support professionals is "just an illusion" ? we will soon know.
Sorry to state, by all the love to Kodak.
with regards

Wallendo · Dec 13, 2017

I see Kodak's target audience for Super 8 cameras and film as film students, with the hope that these upcoming film-makers will graduate to 35mm film. But even in that case, existing negative films make more sense, since the end product is likely to be digital. Ektachrome would allow a filmmaker to edit the original film and project it without having to have a print made, but I don't see a big market for color silent films.

trendland · Dec 13, 2017

Wallendo said:
I see Kodak's target audience for Super 8 cameras and film as film students, with the hope that these upcoming film-makers will graduate to 35mm film. But even in that case, existing negative films make more sense, since the end product is likely to be digital. Ektachrome would allow a filmmaker to edit the original film and project it without having to have a print made, but I don't see a big market for color silent films.

Thats the way Steven Spielberg formulated his hope to motivate young filmmakers: "Today were these little cheap 8mm cameras are avaible I hope many of young people get a change to try out and I belive these guys are the new directors in some years."But Spielberg stated this in the 90th. I am also not sure if he mentioned "8mm" in concern of Super8 or in concern of Sony Hi 8 Video ???Perhaps as we know him as Super8 *or Normal8 beginner he stated this in regards to Super8.So Kodak is much to late ? Over 20 years behind the reality.Film schools have always less money. If they prepare their students to become filmmakers they may count on beginning with modern Super8.Like becomming marine officers starting their maritime training on sailing boats.But I can't belive this.

They probably use existing Video Systems or change to DSLR - later they may use professional stuff if the school is able to finance it.
with regards

AgX · Dec 13, 2017

Wallendo said:
I see Kodak's target audience for Super 8 cameras and film as film students, with the hope that these upcoming film-makers will graduate to 35mm film.

A cinematograpy student buying a 3000€ camera? And how many film academies still teach analog photography? That all would be a very small market.

Lachlan Young · Dec 13, 2017

AgX said:
A cinematograpy student buying a 3000€ camera? And how many film academies still teach analog photography? That all would be a very small market.

Plenty of them buy 5D-alphabet-soup & D8-whatever-number-we-are-on cameras & those are well over 3K EUR body only before you festoon them with monitors & recorders etc. And they then run the footage through software that pretends to 'the film look'.

ericdan · Dec 26, 2017

wasn't Ektachrome supposed to be available end of Q4?

keenmaster486 · Dec 26, 2017

It's going to continue to be delayed. It may not come at all if Kodak goes bankrupt again before mid-2018.

braxus · Dec 26, 2017

keenmaster486 said:
It's going to continue to be delayed. It may not come at all if Kodak goes bankrupt again before mid-2018.

Last Kodak said was first quarter 2018. They've already gotten past the test run stages and just need to tweak things. So its not far off now.

RattyMouse · Dec 26, 2017

keenmaster486 said:
It's going to continue to be delayed. It may not come at all if Kodak goes bankrupt again before mid-2018.

There is zero risk to Kodak going bankrupt in 2018. No threats on the horizon arrive next year. It's 2019 where things get real dicy.

mdarnton · Dec 26, 2017

I can wait. I don't suppose they will make 5x7, though. :-(

trendland · Dec 26, 2017

keenmaster486 said:
It's going to continue to be delayed. It may not come at all if Kodak goes bankrupt again before mid-2018.

The new films are still there. And if you will buy them brave as you are - there is no way Kodak goes bankrupt.
But beware off - new Ektachrome is high priced - I guess we will see it between end of jan. 18 and midt. feb 18.
So you may not buy more films at the begining than you can affort.
Because you would not like to seeing yourself going bunkrupt....

with regards and best wishes to a happy new year to all of you

Pioneer · Dec 26, 2017

keenmaster486 said:
It's going to continue to be delayed. It may not come at all if Kodak goes bankrupt again before mid-2018.

This type of delay is no big deal. No reason to get all morose about it. They have made pretty quick progress since the announcement.

Kodak Reintroduces Ektachrome.

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