Kodak Retires Kodachrome Film

[kevs]

Damn shame, but inevitable. I've always had an affection for Kodachrome, and although didn't use a huge amount, have enjoyed its unique look and sharpness. I think its sad that Kodak couldn't keep it on the books for just one more year, the 75th anniversary. I'll buy a few rolls just to say goodbye.

Farewell Kodachrome. I'll miss it.

[jglass]

All Things Must Pass (c)

Sunrise doesn't last all morning
A cloudburst doesn't last all day
Seems my love is up and has left you with no warning
It's not always going to be this grey

All things must pass
All things must pass away

Sunset doesn't last all evening
A mind can blow those clouds away
After all this, my love is up and must be leaving
It's not always going to be this grey

All things must pass
All things must pass away
All things must pass
None of life's strings can last
So, I must be on my way
And face another day

Now the darkness only stays the night-time
In the morning it will fade away
Daylight is good at arriving at the right time
It's not always going to be this grey

All things must pass
All things must pass away
All things must pass
All things must pass away

_)_______________

With apologies and thanks to George Harrison. His lyrics seem pretty much fit for mourning the passing of KR64, with the imagery involving golden hour light.


I hope George has an old camera and a freezer full of KR64 to shoot, wherever he is. He can probably get it developed there, forever.

RIP

[KenFretz]

Mary Jane maybe able to take my Kodachrome away but she will never get my Nikon camera.

Ken

[Photo Engineer]

Mary Jane is retiring as of 1 July!

PE

[David A. Goldfarb]

Mary Jane is retiring as of 1 July!

PE

Uh oh... That doesn't sound good. Any idea who will replace her?

[Alexander Ghaffari]

Ave Kodachroma! Surculuri te salutamus.

[aldevo]

Uh oh... That doesn't sound good. Any idea who will replace her?

Brad Krutchen. This was announced last week.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Kodak-....html?x=0&.v=1

[Photo Engineer]

Uh oh... That doesn't sound good. Any idea who will replace her?

Brad Kruchten will replace her.

PE

[aldevo]

Brad Krutchen. This was announced last week.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Kodak-....html?x=0&.v=1

He was the retail priniting chief. Based on his background I wouldn't say he "sweats fixer" (i.e. he didn't start with the Kodak trad. product group), but at least he's an engineer - not a finance guy.

[Bruce Watson]

Fuji don't seem to be doing too badly?

As long as Kodak is around to invent the processes for them to use, like E-6, C-41, and RA-4. How dedicated to film will Fuji be if they have to do the R&D at this level themselves?

Might be interesting to see which company (if either) are still here in 10 years time. IDK.

And it depends how you define "better"...is modern B&W film/paper better than platinum prints. Or photography "better" than painting. Or "progress" better than "choice". IDK again?

I want faster, sharper, less grainy, more linear tonality, better reciprocity characteristics, better shadow detail, etc. from my films. I don't understand (clearly I don't) the desire to resist improvements and live with in the past. I want the improvements Kodak's excellent R&D brings. That's why I'm buying TMY-2 and not HP-5+.

And perhaps best not celebrate with 160Portra and TMY-2, it might come back to haunt you when Kodak discontinue these to make more profit from another imaging system which is not discussed here?

Oh but I will! I celebrate photography whenever I can with the best materials available to me. No regrets.

I dearly hope that Kodak continues apace and replaces the Portra line with something even better. And I will celebrate and be amazed yet again when Kodak makes a better film than TMY-2. They have already set the bar so high with these films, yet I'll be happy when they raise the bar even higher.

And if they should be able to make that technology-that-we-don't-name-here compete with 5x4 (or 10x8 which is where I'll end up maybe) TMY-2 (and that's a ways off yet, especially if we talk about weight) I will certainly give it a look. I certainly won't be haunted by it.

KodaChrome was great in its day. I used it and loved it back then. But I'm not sad to see it's gone; I'm not longing for the past.