http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/about ... rome.jhtml
Questions and Answers:Kodak announces final processing dates for all Kodachrome Super 8 film and Kodachrome 16mm film
European catalog number, with processing costs included
Eastman Kodak Company announced today that Kodak-certified processing of Kodachrome Super 8 film will no longer be available after August 1, 2006.
This move follows Kodak's announcement on May 6, 2005 that it would exit the manufacture of Kodachrome Super 8 film. At that time, the company alerted customers that they would have approximately one year to process their Kodachrome Super 8 film with Kodak.
Today's announcement sets August 1 as the final date by which customers can deliver their Kodachrome Super 8 film to Kodak for certified processing. No Kodak-approved processing will be available after that date for Kodachrome Super 8 film.
Kodachrome 16mm film with processing costs included (cat #5053327) has also been discontinued this year. With stock depleted, final sales of this product occurred in February. Customers who have purchased Kodachrome 16mm film with the processing costs included have until December 31, 2006 to process that film with Kodak. After that date, customers will have to seek an alternative at their own cost.
This announcement does not impact sales of Kodachrome 16mm film without processing costs included, (cat #1402494) which will continue to be available in some regions.
According to Kim Snyder, general manager and vice president for Image Capture products, Entertainment Imaging at Eastman Kodak Company, 'The rationale to discontinue these specific product lines was entirely driven by marketplace dynamics. In line with the discontinuance, we will also cease to offer processing for those particular films within the year."
Kodak remains committed to providing its motion picture customers a range of products and creative choices. As such, Kodak introduced a new color reversal film to its portfolio last year. An alternative product for Kodachrome Super 8 users, the new KODAK EKTACHROME Film 64T (film code 7280) combines very high image quality with excellent color reproduction. For Kodachrome 16mm users, Kodak offers KODAK EKTACHROME 100D, a 100-speed color reversal motion picture film (film code 7285). Designed for daylight, this film also delivers intensely saturated color, plus a neutral gray scale and accurate skin tones.
http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/about ... QA06.jhtml
Q1:I recently heard that Kodak is discontinuing its processing for Kodachrome Super 8 film. What exactly does this mean?
A1: We originally announced the exit of our Kodachrome Super 8 product line in May of 2005. At that time, we alerted customers that they would have approximately one year to process their Kodachrome Super 8 film with Kodak.
The recent customer announcement is formal notification of the discontinuation of Kodak certified processing for Kodachrome Super 8 film, effective August 1, 2006. Please consider August 1 as the final opportunity to deliver your Kodachrome Super 8 film to Kodak for certified processing.
Q2: What happens if I don't get my Kodachrome Super 8 film in for processing before August 1, 2006?
A2: We hope the timing of this announcement will give our customers adequate opportunity to submit their film to Kodak for certified processing. And, we strongly encourage them to get their film in by August 1, 2006, as no Kodak-approved processing will be available past that date for Kodachrome Super 8 film.
Dwayne's Photo, based in Parsons, Kansas, does currently process all Kodachrome formats -- 35mm, 16mm and Super 8. However, Dwayne's does not carry a Kodak certification for Super 8. Because the technology and chemistry needed to process Kodachrome Super 8 is so unique, Kodak is not able to give any assurances in relation to Super 8 processing outside its own lab operations.
Customers interested in sending their film to Dwayne's should contact that organization directly to obtain information about their processing capabilities.
Dwayne's Photo
415 S. 32nd Street
Parsons, KS, 67357
USA
(620) 421-3940
http://www.k14movies.com/
Q3: How long will Dwayne's be able to process Kodachrome film?
A3: We can't speak for Dwayne's.
Q4: Does the discontinuation of processing for Kodachrome Super 8 mean that you are closing your lab in Switzerland?
A4: In line with market declines, Kodak announced plans to significantly reduce the global asset base supporting its traditional products. This announcement was driven by the fundamental, structural change in the imaging industry worldwide. Implementation of that plan continues, very much impacting Kodak's laboratory operations across the globe. However, no announcement has been made relative to the closure of the Kodak lab in Renens, Switzerland.
Q5: Why did you discontinue the manufacture of Kodachrome Super 8?
A5: The decision to discontinue Kodachrome film in Super 8 format was driven entirely by marketplace dynamics. Because the 'home movie' market has shifted to digital, sales of Kodachrome Super 8 film have declined significantly over the years.
Q6: Will the entire Kodachrome portfolio disappear?
A6: The announcement made today applies specifically to the processing of Kodachrome Super 8 motion-picture product and Kodachrome 16mm processing costs included (a catalog number specific to EAMER). Sales of Kodachrome 16mm film without processing continue. That being said, Kodak is constantly evaluating its product portfolio -- both digital and traditional -- to ensure that it is consistent with market demands.
Q7: Does Kodak plan to discontinue its motion picture color reversal line?
A7: There are no plans to discontinue color reversal, so long as it is supported by marketplace conditions. At present, demand for motion picture color reversal is robust enough to justify investment in new products -- such as the recently announced EKTACHROME 64T.
Q8: Why did you discontinue Kodachrome 16mm film, cat no. 5053327?
A8: Cat no 5053327 is specific to our European market and includes film processing within the purchase price. Due to marketplace dynamics, we have discontinued this option.
Fewer and fewer labs worldwide have the machines and the chemistry necessary to process Kodachrome film. It requires a very unique infrastructure. So, with a view toward the processing complexity and the decline in sales, Kodak's European Region has decided to make its transition now to alternative EKTACHROME products such as the KODAK EKTACHROME 100D, a 100-speed color reversal motion picture film (film code 7285) designed for daylight.
Processing of Kodachrome 16mm film with processing costs included will be available through end of year.
Q9: We continue to hear about product discontinuances and plant closings. Is Kodak abandoning its film business?
A9: Not at all. The simple fact is that consumer preferences are changing, and demand for traditional consumer products such as film and paper has fallen with the increasing popularity of digital photography. The announcements about plant closings are all driven by the fundamental, structural change in the imaging industry worldwide.
Yet, Entertainment is still a film business, and film will remain an important part of the imaging chain into the foreseeable future. The success of our VISION2 product proves motion picture film's continued viability in the marketplace, and justifies future investment in silver halide. Nothing approaches motion-picture film for its quality, resolution, dynamic range, flexibility and archivability.
We're working hard to supply you with the technology for what we foresee as a film/digital hybrid world. We are committed to all our customers in the creative community, and to developing a full range of tools and services to help bring your vision to the screen, more faithfully, efficiently, and at the highest levels of quality.
:evil: