Setting Camera for Kodachrome 64?

snegron · Aug 19, 2006

I just went out and purchased a couple of rolls of Kodachrome 64. I was about to change the ISO (or ASA) film speed setting settings on my Nikon F2A and F3HP when I noticed that there is no 64 on either dial. The numbers jump from ASA 50 to ASA 100 with only two notches between these numbers. I am assuming that one of these two notches is ASA 64. Does anyone know if it is the notch closest to the 50 or the 100?

Markok765 · Aug 19, 2006

I think it is closer, on my camera i have 20 35 64 then 100 and normal #s

Dave Parker · Aug 19, 2006

I always set mine for the first notch past ISO 50 and never had any problems at all.

Dave

DBP · Aug 19, 2006

The first is 64, the second 80. Enjoy the Kodachrome, it's a great film.

copake_ham · Aug 19, 2006

DBP said:
The first is 64, the second 80. Enjoy the Kodachrome, it's a great film.

Agree.

But don't fall in love with Kodachrome. Despite Paul Simon's plea of many years ago - it is discontinued.

In a bit of a nostalgic whim - I bought five rolls of K-64 about 9 months ago. I've shot out 2 of them. Once I finish up I will send them to Dwayne's (the only remaining Kodachrome finisher I know of) and then bid a sad, but fond, adieu to "those nice bright colors" (espescially the REDS!)

Dave Parker · Aug 19, 2006

George,

Kodak is still listing PKR in the current master product catalog and it is still available for order through my local pro lab, in fact they just got new batch of it in while I was dropping film off on Friday, where did you hear it had been discontinued? 25 was discontinued a couple of years ago, but the 64 is still an available product.

Dave

copake_ham · Aug 19, 2006

Dave Parker said:
George,

Kodak is still listing PKR in the current master product catalog and it is still available for order through my local pro lab, in fact they just got new batch of it in while I was dropping film off on Friday, where did you hear it had been discontinued? 25 was discontinued a couple of years ago, but the 64 is still an available product.

Dave

Dave,

This is interesting news to me. I thought it was discontinued.

I hope you are correct and I am wrong.

If so, next question is - does anyone other than Dwayne's develop it?

Dave Parker · Aug 19, 2006

George,

You are correct in saying Dwayne's is it, the lab in Europe will be closing next month and as far as I know the only normal processor is Dwaynes, Rocky Mtn Photo labs in Colorado runs it about 2 a year, but they treat as a specialty film and charge an arm and a leg to process..

Dave

snegron · Aug 20, 2006

Thanks for the info! I'm off to the zoo today to shoot my Kodachrome. There is a pro lab I use in Fort Myers, Florida. They still list Kodachrome processing as part of their servicing, I guess I will find out when I take them in. The sales clerk at Ritz Camera (where Ipurchased the Kodachrome) told me that they send it out to get developed, so I guess that might be choice # 2 if my pro lab snubs me. How is it possible that the only film in existance to have a hit song dedicated to it can be placed on a company's list to be discontinued? If true, it would be very sad.

Dave Parker · Aug 20, 2006

snegron said:
How is it possible that the only film in existance to have a hit song dedicated to it can be placed on a company's list to be discontinued? If true, it would be very sad.

Due to the complications and dangers involved in the PK process, In addition many people switched over the E films as they introduced and became better.

I would bet your local lab will also send the film out..

Dave

PhotoJim · Aug 20, 2006

For the record, the ISO settings are, on most cameras:

6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 25, 32, 40, 50, 64, 80, 100, 125, 160, 200, 250, 320, 400, 500, 640, 800, 1000, 1250, 1600, 2000, 2500, 3200, 4000, 5000, 6400, 8000, 10000, 12500.

Many of them are rounded, which is why there are discrepancies. It's rather like shutter speeds, except that some of the rounding is different. (We say 1/30 about a shutter speed two stops longer than 1/125 but film two stops slower than 125 is ISO 32. This is why Kodachrome is ISO 64 but the shutter speed below 1/125 is 1/60.)

Iskra 2 · Aug 20, 2006

Hi copake,

Kodachrome is not discontinued nor expected to be discontinued any more than other low profit film products ........ so use it or lose it. Kodachrome Rules!

Regards.

copake_ham said:
Agree.

But don't fall in love with Kodachrome. Despite Paul Simon's plea of many years ago - it is discontinued.

In a bit of a nostalgic whim - I bought five rolls of K-64 about 9 months ago. I've shot out 2 of them. Once I finish up I will send them to Dwayne's (the only remaining Kodachrome finisher I know of) and then bid a sad, but fond, adieu to "those nice bright colors" (espescially the REDS!)

Dave Parker · Aug 20, 2006

Iskra 2 said:
Hi copake,

Kodachrome is not discontinued nor expected to be discontinued any more than other low profit film products ........ so use it or lose it. Kodachrome Rules!

Regards.

The ISO 25 Kodachrome has been discontinued and is no longer available in the stores, the ISO 64 and 200 are still available from Kodak.

Dave

DBP · Aug 20, 2006

Kodachrome is not only not discontinued, but still pretty widely available. Admittedly I haven't seen it in Target for a couple of years, but a few local one-hour photo places carry it, along with the actual camera shops. Keep shooting it and maybe Kodak will keep making it.

Uncle Bill · Aug 20, 2006

I am trying Kodachrome 64 out with my OM-4. I have not got the results back yet, but I am really curious.

Bill

Roger Hicks · Aug 20, 2006

Personally -- on the basis of no evidence whatsoever except 40 years as a photographer and 20+ years as a journalist in the photo trade -- I give Kodachrome another 5-10 years at best. From the 40s to the 70s, it was incomparably better for grain, sharpness and longevity. In the 80s, non-substantive films (i.e. everything else) began to catch up.

Again personally, from being a total Kodachrome addict 40 years ago, I have shot very little Kodachrome in the last decade. I do not think I can be alone. Yes, Kodachrome has a unique look, and if you love it, it's all you want. On the other hand, my favourite slide film of all time (including any Kodachrome you name) was Fuji RF/RFP ISO 50. I curse Velvia to this day for replacing it.

Today I use almost exclusively Kodak Elite Chrome 100 EBX E6: not as good as RF/RFP for me, but I have changed my style very slightly to accommodate the new film. Hell, for that matter, in colour I even shoot d*g*t*l (though not much).

But for real photography, mono remains king for my wife Frances Schultz and me. There are pics in the gallery of www.rogerandfrances.com which may (or may not) explain why.

Cheers,

R.

copake_ham · Aug 20, 2006

Dave Parker said:
....

I would bet your local lab will also send the film out..

Dave

Yes, as I understand it even if you send it to Kodak in a mailer they forward it on to Dwayne's for processing.

BTW: All Fujichrome is apparently going to Dwayne's. I sent in several rolls to Fuji in Phoenix (i.e. used their mailers) and each box has come back with a note saying that effective July 1, 2006 it should now be sent directly to Dwayne's in Parsons, KS.

Dave Parker · Aug 20, 2006

My local lab still runs all of the E6 films, I don't use the mail for anything, I have all of my stuff done locally and they are a pro lab and do quite well with my stuff as well as some of the world premier wildlife and landscape photographers. The only thing I send to Dwaynes is the every once in a while Kodachrome roll, But I don't often shoot it anymore.

Dave

Uncle Bill · Aug 20, 2006

My Velvia is processed locally though some labs are griping about chemical availablity and Kodachrome gets forwarded down to to Dwaynes.

Bill

df cardwell · Aug 20, 2006

Shooting 120 Kodachrome through my 110/Planar was great fun.
October and November in New England ? The best, ever. Gone.

It was like ... a cello playing a duet with an english horn.

Color died when it was discontinued.

Switch to Velvia ? Give up lobster for fishsticks.

Oh well. Have fun. Expose for the highlights.

.

snegron · Aug 20, 2006

One thing I did notice when I purchased the Kodachrome was that I only purchased a couple of rolls because the rest (including 200 speed) were expired by several months. Maybe it was a coincidence, maybe a sign of no further stocking by that store. Who knows. I can't wait to see what the slides look like! My only regret was that the Mandrils in the zoo spent the entire time in the shade, so I was unable to capture their colorful faces in the sun. But at least there were the orangutangs...

PKM-25 · Aug 24, 2006

Dave Parker said:
In addition many people switched over the E films as they introduced and became better.

I have just started using Kodachrome in the last 4 months. When I look at Velvia or Provia compared to Kodachrome, I gasp at the truncated tonal range and over saturated colors. Kodachrome is also sharper.

It's so sharp, I bought a Leica M6 and 35mm 2.0 Summicron last night to use it with. Out in my storage closet in a freezer, 800 rolls of Kodachrome ( 170 25 iso ) are resting comfortably at -8 below zero....

dmr · Aug 24, 2006

copake_ham said:
But don't fall in love with Kodachrome. Despite Paul Simon's plea of many years ago - it is discontinued.

It is?

I just bought 3 rolls from Adorama.

I also phoned the lab in Kansas (I think I posted that here) and they said there were no impending plans to phase it out.

copake_ham · Aug 24, 2006

PKM-25 said:
I have just started using Kodachrome in the last 4 months. When I look at Velvia or Provia compared to Kodachrome, I gasp at the truncated tonal range and over saturated colors. Kodachrome is also sharper.

It's so sharp, I bought a Leica M6 and 35mm 2.0 Summicron last night to use it with. Out in my storage closet, 800 rolls of Kodachrome ( 170 25 iso ) are resting comfortably at -8 below zero....

As a long time Kodachrome fan - I can identify with your enthusiasm. I would only caution you that obtaining processing is increasingly difficult. Dwayne's Photo is about the only one left that I know of - if you know of others please share the info here!

PKM-25 · Aug 24, 2006

copake_ham said:
As a long time Kodachrome fan - I can identify with your enthusiasm. I would only caution you that obtaining processing is increasingly difficult. Dwayne's Photo is about the only one left that I know of - if you know of others please share the info here!

I have an account with Dwayne's. They are all I need really. Gotta run and shoot some...

Setting Camera for Kodachrome 64?

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