Re: [Leica] Kodachrome Blues

["GPYLE" <gpyle@netnitco.net>]

I agree that the quality of todays E6 films is spectactlar but will they
last as long as Kodachrome ?

- ----- Original Message -----
From: Ted Grant <tedgrant@islandnet.com>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2000 3:31 PM
Subject: Re: [Leica] Kodachrome Blues


> John Collier
>  wrote:
>
> >I have been noticing in the last couple of years that the local stores
are
> >stocking less and less Kodachrome. I, unfortunately, really like the
stuff
> >and use it as my main film. Processing turn around times went from one
week
> >to two weeks three years or so back but now they have jumped to FIVE
weeks!
> >The store I deal with said the two week time was due to it having to be
sent
> >to the eastern USA. Canada lost both its plants a while ago. Now that it
is
> >five weeks they speculated that it had to go to Europe! Is this the end
of
> >Kodachrome.>>>>>>>
>
> Hi John,
>
> As much as I love Kodachroem and used hundreds and hundreds of rolls over
> the years I don't miss it one iota.  When Kodak pulled the Vancouver plant
> and film was shipped to Toronto, extending processing time I could still
> cope with the extra days. But when the Toronto plant closed with film
going
> to the US for processing that was end of Kodachrome for me. Period.
> Processing time was way too long for a professional trying to service a
> client.
>
> The number  of incredibly good E6 films on the market these days comes
down
> to....Who needs Kodachrome? Certainly when one can have film processed in
a
> few hours and meeting client deadlines.
>
> I believe Kodak decided the environmental aspects of dumping KR chemicals
> were becoming a major problem, so they've just let KR slide into almost an
> oblivion state. Besides, E6 slides look gorgeous and in some cases surpass
> Kodachrome for look.
>
> Compared to shooting 50 to a hundred KR 36 exp. rolls every ten days or so
> for quite a number of years, today it's that number and more E6. I've
never
> had a client say, "Gee would you shoot it on Kodachrome." Most of them
> don't know kodachrome from water buffalo film, all they want are great
> looking colour slides. And E6 does that without any problem.
>
> Very shortly it wouldn't surprise me to see KR go the way of the dodo
bird.
>
> Yep be a loss, however the quality of E6 slide films today far surpasses
> those of the bygone era and if KR were to deep six to oblivion it wont be
a
> world shattering event. We who knew it and loved it will always have fond
> memories and great images from it.
>
> ted
>
>
> Ted Grant
> This is Our Work. The Legacy of Sir William Osler.
> http://www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant
>
>