Kodak is discontinuing production of their iconic Kodachrome slide film. Kodachrome is, without a doubt, one of the best known and most used film-types in history. With an absolutely recognizable look, it defined color photography in the sixties and seventies and I’d be willing to bet it was used for more National Geographic photos than any other color film. However, digital cameras, new film technology and the technical difficulty of processing Kodachrome have made it less and less popular.
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They give us those nice bright colors |
I worked at photo labs through the nineties and handled and printed plenty of Kodachrome film. This was at a time when excellent new transparency films like Fujifilm’s Velvia and Provia, and Kodak’s own Ektachrome E100 emulsions were growing in popularity. The new slide films had more color saturation, a better tonal range, and unlike Kodachrome, which had to be sent to a special processing center, the new E-6 slide films could be dropped off at your local pro lab for processing. I was actually not a big fan of Kodachrome. It was very difficult to make a good print from it and the color palette wasn’t as pleasing to my eye as the newer slide films. That said, Kodachrome has a distinctive – even historical – look that no other color film has. The only other film-type I can think of that is as important historically is Kodak’s Tri-X black-and-white film. Both of those films were revolutionary for photographers and each defined photography in its own way. Although it hasn’t been the film of choice for a few of decades now, when I think of National Geographic, I picture the color and tones of Kodachrome.
Kodak has created an online Kodachrome tribute gallery featuring famous photos made with Kodachrome slide film. I encourage readers to browse the gallery – I guarantee everyone will recognize some of the photos there. The final rolls of Kodachrome will be donated to the George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film in Rochester New York. And National Geographic photographer, Steve McCurry, will shoot one of those final rolls of Kodachrome.
Official Kodachrome Retirement Press Release
Kodachrome Tribute Page
Related Content:
Kodak Slide Film User Reviews
All Kodak Camera And Film User Reviews
Film Photography Forum
Kodak Web Site
Its very sad to see film drop out one by one. I never used Kodachrome in my film photography, but I am most upset that many, if not all companies are focusing strictly on profit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hSXKjHDKkY
Paul Simon
Yeah, back in the day, there were more non-profit film companies than you could shake a stick at. Now, all they think about is keeping afloat by trying to remain profiable. Selfish buggers…
Let’s be serious for a moment. Film is film. There are still a great deal of creative choices for the film shooter.
Nostalgia beyond question would be the most foolish reason to continue producing a product that is losing money and few people want…
HEY KODAK MANAGERS
i KNOW THAT YOU GUYS CAN INCLUDE IN YOUR DIGITAL CAMERAS A KODAKROME EFFECT, AFTER ALL LOOKING AT PICTURES IN YOUR COMPUTER MONITORS IS LIKE WATCHING SLIDE PROYECTION…..RIGHT
SO MANY FEATURES IN YOUR CAMERAS…..GIVE KODAKROME A NEW ERA. I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT !!!!!!!!!!!!