Saving Kodachrome?

[thegman]

I think we'd be better off campaigning for a Kodachrome-like E6 or C41 film, I don't know much about the chemistry of Kodachrome, but I know nobody processes it any more apart from Dwayne's. Even if Kodachrome was reintroduced in some small way, it would surely be a reprieve for a year or two until the minimum order just didn't come. I think perhaps our best chance of a film like this would be Maco/Rollei/Efke/Foma or someone like that, a film maker who is used to smaller volumes and dealing in more "retro" films. I've only shot one roll of Kodachrome, didn't really like it, but I'd certainly give it another try, whether it was the real thing, or some Kodachrome-like E6 film.

[sandholm]

Very simple answer, they discontinued the film because now one bought it, the same with paper and other films. If Kodak can make money of them they would do that. Today there is so few who shoots film (I mean professional, an amateur shooting 2-3 roles a week wont make that much different). I say instead of trying to save a dead/old product, try instead to save the remaining film. I personal would love if the Kodachrome choice existed, but i rather have some film then no film at all. Personal I have choose to support Ilford, Fuji and Adox, and I make sure that i really support these companies, chemicals, papers and film.

cheers

[thegman]

I agree with sandholm, although I think Kodak needs support too, they likely still the most pro-active film company in terms of new releases and overall range of film.

[sandholm]

I agree with sandholm, although I think Kodak needs support too, they likely still the most pro-active film company in terms of new releases and overall range of film.

Absolute, I have nothing against Kodak, but its just easier for me to get Ilford and Fuji here.

Another thing, by fresh film, dont buy outdated film on ebay, this will not help the film movement or the companies, they have to sell new produced film.

cheers

[AgX]

Jim,

Our fellow member Terry M. tried to get a custom production on his behalf of Kodachrome made by Kodak from the ground.
To my understanding not even serieus talks came about due to lack of interest by Kodak.

[lxdude]

email address doesn't seem to be working?

As I recall, Audrey Jonckheer retired last year, right about the time Kodachrome was discontinued.

[Steve Roberts]

Jim,

Good though your intentions are, I think you're fighting a losing battle, as it's not just about the film manufacture but also the processing. I haven't used Kodachrome regularly for some time because of the processing QC issues I've experienced with Dwayne's and as long as that's the only place to get it processed it could be stacked six feet high on the shelves and I still wouldn't buy the stuff. Having said that, I recently shot a token last roll out of a kind of respect for the enjoyment I once had for the film in the old days of UK Hemel Hempstead processing and posted it yesterday. Kodachrome is like an old dog - there's a time when you just have to say goodbye!

Steve

[jim appleyard]

Dreaming? Yes, why not. Kodachrome might be dead and I may have to live with it, but I will never fogive myself if I don't do eerything I can to save it.

The proper email: audrey.jonckheer@kodak.com.

She was still there this past June when I rec'd an email from her.

[Moopheus]

I'll miss Kodachrome a bit when I have used my last roll (in the fridge now), but given that Kodachrome 25 has already been gone for years, the loss feels a little less terrible. And, let's face it, while nothing really looks like Kodachrome, today's E-6 and C-41 films are of very high quality; the difference is much, much less than it used to be. It will be hard enough going forward for film companies just to maintain existing products, an outlier like Kodachrome with only one lab for processing has no future. The time to have fought for Kodachrome was ten or twenty years ago, not now.

[benjiboy]

The decision to discontinue Kodachrome must have been made at boardroom level, and all the wishing in the World isn't going to bring it back, we just have to deal with the fact.