A few posts back, I was asked to give more details on coating machines. I described it in words, but a picture is worth a thousand words.
Here is a drawing from the original patent of the previous generation of coating hopper equipment from Kodak. The more modern method is quit a bit more elaborate. At present, Kodak uses curtain coating, not slide hopper coating.
This is a 4 slide hopper similar to the one that was used for K25, now defunct. The more modern equipment in B-38 (AFAIK) was used for the current product that was just retired although that machine can use both the curtain and slide hoppers. Just remember that the real hopper used for any of these Kodachrome materials is 6 slide minimum, and is 42" wide.
It must maintain an exact flow rate and temperature across the entire width and up the ladder of all 6 slides. In some products as many as 14 layers are coated. At least, that is the most I ever saw or heard of.
... the Kodachromes my father put in a box 52 years ago have faded quite significantly, and they've been stored in a cool dry place. ...
So just how archival is Kodachrome ? ...
Ian, how do you define "cool"? Summer temperatures are not cool. Were they in the dark?
Also, how long were they left in your father's Projector? That light and heat will fade them!
Ron,
Assuming these Slides were stored in a cool place, can you think of an explanation for such fading? Only heat or light should cause this.
Originally Posted by Photo Engineer
... people here often say that Kodak lagged in making digital equipment, but Kodak was into digital in the 70s and 80s quite seriously. I saw sensors back then and digital still cameras. However, the error was in not taking it seriously until much later. One group of pundits at Kodak proclaimed that digital would not become a significant threat until 2020. ...
The real question is what has been their ROI in Digital? I'll bet NOTHING! They should have DIVERSIFIED into non-photography as they did with their Healthcare Unit, and they should have not bothered with Digital. They should have just downsized their Film productions as sales diminished, and they would not have run up so much debts. Rather than staying neutral over the Film / Digital debate, they should have vigourously promoted Film with regular consumers as the ONLY long-term photographic medium. However, the money grubbing Mutual Funds who run Kodak don't care about the company itself -- they only care about the Stock price. However, that is a three month short term mentality. Now those Funds are losing their shirts as a result of their own stupid policies.
I would like to try to stick to answering the technical details of your questions as none of us are qualified to answer the other questions posed by a market place and using economics that we are all unaware of.
Here is a drawing from the original patent of the previous generation of coating hopper equipment from Kodak. The more modern method is quit a bit more elaborate. At present, Kodak uses curtain coating, not slide hopper coating.
If I am understanding the drawing correctly, each layer flows one on top of the other, and they all meet up at the other end without blending together? If so, that's incredible! What keeps them from combining to form one?
I just received 40 rolls in the mail today form eCamera films.
They also claim as this evening to have a few hundred rolls left.
A word of warning however. These are 24 exposure rolls. Kodak stopped selling 24 exposure rolls a few years ago. So I assume the expiration date is in 2007 or 2008. They are in bulk packs of 20 rolls with no individual lot numbers or expiration dates. The seller does not list a date. I have however used Kodachrome from this seller in the last year and it was fine. Still it is better than nothing and I have several PK24 mailers left to use up before the end of the year.
Just remember that the real hopper used for any of these Kodachrome materials is 6 slide minimum, and is 42" wide.
Wow, that _is_ a fascinating process! Thanks for the image. If you are able to disclose, to what level of machining tolerance do those ladders have to made in order to assure accurate emulsion thickness across 42 inches?
If I am understanding the drawing correctly, each layer flows one on top of the other, and they all meet up at the other end without blending together? If so, that's incredible! What keeps them from combining to form one?
Laminar Flow or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love Fluid Dynamics.
Another day goes under; a little bourbon will take the strain...
Originally Posted by Sirius Glass
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