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Mama took my Kodachrome away
Tags ektachrome, film, history, kansas, kodachrome, kodak, parsons, retired, slide
I've just had two emails from Kodak's PR agency today, one announcing the release of a new wireless photo frame and, second, rather more historic and profound - that Kodak is to officially retire Kodachrome slide film this year.
Kodachrome, immortalised in the 1973 Paul Simon song 'Kodachrome' (Mama don't take my Kodachrome away!) has been on sale since 1935, but it's a difficult (read expensive) film to manufacture, as well as to process. Today, only one lab in the world officially processes Kodachrome, in Parsons, Kansas. That lab will continue to process Kodachrome film until at least August 2010.
There has always been a certain something about Kodachrome that has maintained its popularity all these years. Kodak introduced Ektachrome in the 1940s because Kodachrome was often too slow for the uses photographers required. However, it has only now entirely replaced Kodachrome, which just shows how important the qualities of Kodachrome have been to millions of photographers. The E6 process for modern Ektachrome films continues and Kodak hopes Kodachrome users will switch to its latest Elite Chrome brand Ektachrome slide films.
Kodachrome, immortalised in the 1973 Paul Simon song 'Kodachrome' (Mama don't take my Kodachrome away!) has been on sale since 1935, but it's a difficult (read expensive) film to manufacture, as well as to process. Today, only one lab in the world officially processes Kodachrome, in Parsons, Kansas. That lab will continue to process Kodachrome film until at least August 2010.
There has always been a certain something about Kodachrome that has maintained its popularity all these years. Kodak introduced Ektachrome in the 1940s because Kodachrome was often too slow for the uses photographers required. However, it has only now entirely replaced Kodachrome, which just shows how important the qualities of Kodachrome have been to millions of photographers. The E6 process for modern Ektachrome films continues and Kodak hopes Kodachrome users will switch to its latest Elite Chrome brand Ektachrome slide films.
Total Comments 3
Comments
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I sometimes wonder how its kept going as long as it has. Even though its a classic film, many Pros rarely or ever used it. In my own experience and since becoming a Pro in '93, the Fuji offerings seemed more accessible and easier to get processed locally. Fujicolor Provia and Velvia were always the films of choice, and even Ektachrome didn't seem to give as good results, though that is just my own subjective opinion.
Frankly though since going digital in around 2000, I really do not feel sad about the demise of such a classic film, its just a sign of the times and life goes on.Posted 22-06-09 at 01:28 PM by Stephen 
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The vast majority of my slides are K25 or K64 with my last roll being processed early this year. I shall miss it, in the same way as I miss woolworths pick-n-mix, it wasn't used often but the brazil nut toffee was superbe...
Posted 22-06-09 at 04:34 PM by Graham_of_Rainham
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I preferred Fuji colours, it had to be said! But I also preferred Kodachrome to Ektachrome.
Posted 22-06-09 at 05:16 PM by Ian
