Kodak Reintroduces Ektachrome.

[BMbikerider]

Going back to the original thread!!!!!

There are 2 companies in UK that are listing it on their websites - but as yet no price

 

[BrianShaw]

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/kodak-to-lay-off-400-workers.155220/page-3#post-2012323

 

[BrianShaw]

Going back to the original thread!!!!!

There are 2 companies in UK that are listing it on their websites - but as yet no price

.. and what do they give as the availability date?

 

[nbagno]

You can listen to the latest update here, you just need your computer... Dead Link Removed

 

[bvy]

Here's the podcast synopsis:

In January of 2017, we announced that Kodak Ektachrome film would be coming back to the market. The process is coming along well. We’ve been busy testing and making sure it meets all the expectations that exist in this passionate community and are looking forward to its market release in 2018. And in case you’re wondering about the who what when and where and why, we brought in some of our own Kodak employees who are involved with the re-manufacturing to chat. So, let’s jump into the Kodakery and talk with them!

Source: https://www.kodak.com/corp/podcasts/kodakery/default.htm

 

[bvy]

So the podcast was an interview between the two hosts, who sound about 12, the Kodak product manager for film (Diane somebody), the project manager for Ektachrome (Fred somebody), and an Ektachrome "super fan" employed by Kodak in some capacity (Matt somebody), who spent most of the interview on the verge of wetting his pants with excitement.

But seriously, there was a lot of background that most of us here already know (what is a reversal film, how do you process it, why is it special, etc.). They went on to describe why Ektachrome was discontinued in 2013. The film was never "small scaled" and could only be produced in quantities so large that reduced demand levels would no longer support. (They did mention that that equipment is "no longer available.") They described the challenge of reformulation: 80 or so ingredients go into the film, and some of those could no longer be sourced from their original (pre 2013) suppliers. So they had to be either sourced elsewhere or made in house. These challenges (downscaling and raw materials sourcing) were said to be worked out.

So far, they've coated a couple small pilot rolls (100' x 5") for analysis, and the results are "pretty favorable." They described with some excitement a "wide event" slated to happen "in a few weeks." This is the making of a single master roll, 6000 feet long by four feet wide, from which the first batch of test rolls will be made (mostly for internal use). Initially they'll make the film in two formats: 35mm still film, and Super 8 movie film.

Those were the highlights anyway. The complete 40 minute interview can be heard here:
Dead Link Removed

 

[AgX]

At least that product manager has a BC in chemistry, was even at R&D, something no longer typical at such companies.

 

[Photo Engineer]

The 5" coatings are no indications of full scale production in my experience.

PE

 

[Craig]

Is 35mm and 120 coated on the same base? Seems odd to only bring in 35mm and not 120.

 

[MattKing]

Is 35mm and 120 coated on the same base?

No.
And of course, they would also probably have to change the design further to prevent wrapper offset problems.

 

[Roger Cole]

My interest is only in 35mm at this point, since that's the only size slide I can project and when I shoot transparency film, I'm shooting for projection. I know a lot of people shoot it for scanning and a hybrid work flow and, heck, if I had a decent scanner I might do that. But I don't so I don't.

120 would be nice for that, and maybe for projection as well if I get a projector some day. I lost interest in 4x5 color when the price went to outrageous levels combined with such great films as Ektar in 120.

I'll be happy to get 35mm back though. E100G was my go-to transparency film after Sensia was discontinued, and I always liked it better than Provia.

I'd REALLY like to see an ISO 400 replacement for Provia 400X. Sigh. Still got a season's worth in the freezer.

 

[locutus]

This is the making of a single master roll, 6000 feet long by four feet wide, from which the first batch of test rolls will be made (mostly for internal use).

If thats cut to 35mm film, that is about 35k rolls of film (assuming 10% wastage), one would hope that production runs are bigger then that

 

[bvy]

If thats cut to 35mm film, that is about 35k rolls of film (assuming 10% wastage), one would hope that production runs are bigger then that

I believe they said a typical production run was 10 to 15 of those.

 

[AgX]

... for their major cine films.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Is 35mm and 120 coated on the same base? Seems odd to only bring in 35mm and not 120.

No, they are different thicknesses.

 

[trendland]

If thats cut to 35mm film, that is about 35k rolls of film (assuming 10% wastage), one would hope that production runs are bigger then that

Yes you got it locutus.This happens exact in these hours and it means : testing,testing,testing!
A couple of photographers are also involved just out of advertising issues.
The beginning of 2018 could mean the
Feb.04.2017 (just as example ) because
it has not mean first days of Jan.2018
with regards

 

[trendland]

Oh damned my cellphone is nearly correcting half of all data :
FEB. 04. 2018 of cause !

with regards

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Oh damned my cellphone is nearly correcting half of all data :
FEB. 04. 2018 of cause !
....

Of cause it is... and your phone has a Boston (U.S.) accent.

 

[trendland]

So far, they've coated a of a er roll, 6000 feet long by four feet wide, from which the first batch of test rolls will be made (mostly for internal use). Initially they'll make the film in two formats: 35mm still film, and Super 8 movie film.

Those were the highlights anyway. The complete 40 minute interview can be heard here:
Dead Link Removed[/QUOTE]

Of cause it is... and your phone has a Boston (U.S.) accent.

Of cause it is... and your phone has a Boston (U.S.) accent.

So did you know ? If they would have give me the job at Boston Consulting they would give me a real smarphone ...
Seriously nothing is going on this I use now.
Next failure : It was bvy I wanted to say -
"you got it !"
But never mind loctulus - you are right too.

with regards

 

[Lachlan Young]

If you have Instagram, about 30 minutes ago Kodak posted some footage of the 'coating event' of Ektachrome on the full size B-38 machine that took place today.

 

[bvy]

If you have Instagram, about 30 minutes ago Kodak posted some footage of the 'coating event' of Ektachrome on the full size B-38 machine that took place today.

Today? That makes me think the podcast was recorded several weeks ago.

 

[Kevin Ekstrom]

Not to be a "wet blanket" but one has to wonder -- given that the availability of E6 processing has been plummeting over the years, will this work? I know I have pretty much given up on color film as getting it processed takes too long and costs a lot, especially transparencies. The last roll of 120 Fuji I had done took me three weeks to get back from a small local chain that does it in house but apparently waits until they have a pile to do. I understand that thinking, but I found it discouraging.

None the less, if they are seeing the sales potential to make the move, hey -- go for it!

Have you tried The Darkroom in California? It will not take 3 weeks to get your film processed. It took all of 5 days to have my images loaded up to the internet then a disk and my negs sent to me about 3 days later. I'm in Chicago. Il. in the States, so anyone in the states should find the turnaround more than sufficient. Money? yes, processing film has always been a cost to the photographer, so why should it be any different now?

https://thedarkroom.com/product/120-film-developing/

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I'd love to see it!

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I'm referring to the video of Ektachrome coating...

 

[Lachlan Young]

Today? That makes me think the podcast was recorded several weeks ago.

Having re-watched the footage, other than stating that it took place 'early in the morning' it doesn't specify a particular day. I'd guess within the last day or so to allow for clearance of the footage etc. Would suggest that the test rolls will be in circulation next month if it went well.