Kodacrome

[hoffy]

I must admit, I am having a nostalgia thing at the moment.

Now, from what I have read and Kodaks attitude, I think that the grand daddy of transparency films has its days numbered. Kodacrome is near on impossible to get processed (there is only one place left in the world who will do it) and its slowly falling off of many stock lists (B&H have dropped it so I have been told).

Now, this is one film that I have never used, but have been curious on its qualities. Would you give it one last shot before it goes? Should I at least try it (& bugger the expense..)

BTW, check out the doco on SBS "The 30's in Colour". Nearly exclusively shot in Kodacrome. Some of the stuff hasn't lasted the test of time too well, but some of it is absolutely amazing (consider the age!)

[jjphoto]

I used to use Kodachrome quite a bit in the '80's but to be honest, I don't miss it at all. Modern E6 films are way better than they used to be and that's why Kdachrome is no longer popular enough to be financially viable. It has it's advantages, but I wouldn't bother trying it other than to say that you have used it!

JJ

[MarkW]

Just to give you a bit more of the nostalgia - just about everything every shot using 8mm, super 8, 16mm and 35mm was done on Kodachrome film for both the motion pictures (prior to 70mm PanaVision?) to transparancies for the photographics industry.

Kodachrome in all its formats was so wide spread in its use that it was the biggest used film of all time. It biggest problem was the cost and complexity of the machinery required to process the film. It is nearly impossible for the home photographer to develop a K14 film. I believe there are kit available but to get accurate saturation is difficult.

The reason the E6 transparency and the C41 colour print films were created was the lower cost to develop the film.

[TOM]

Hoffy, i've got a brick in my fridge right now. Shoot it while you can. You can order from Dwaynes and develop at Dwaynes so it really isn't that hard. It is simply a matter of importing the film, shooting it, exporting it back to the US, developing, and then importing back to Australia! jjphoto is right when he says that modern e6 films have their advantages, but there is somthing about KC that is special.

Hoffy, if you like shooting people atm as you alluded to in another post, Sensia 400 is a great tranny film for street work if you must work in colour. It is cheap aswell when compared with Provia 400x (rrp $34/roll!).

[hoffy]

I have some sensia 200 in the freezer (which apparently is rubbish, but hey...). So the 400 is OK, hmmm

[TOM]

well the sensia is not a pro film so colours may vary from one roll to the next. it is more sensitive to green than provia (pro film), but the provia is more sensitive to red and isn't as kind to skin tones. so for people, the sensia is great. here is a pic taken with sensia 400, hope it's ok to post.

[AzzA]

Interesting thread guys.
I've never tried Kodacrome, but really want to give it a go with a few old lenses i have for my Bessa R3A. Interested if i'll get an older sort of "look" to the shots.
Bit of a hassle though with developing =/