KODAK

[longlivefilm]

SHOULD APPLE BUY UP KODAK ?

[wado1942]

No, because they'll discontinue 35mm, 16mm and Super-8 in favor 2mm and 24mm, then retire that a year later in favor of 2.2mm and 25mm. Oh, and every roll of film will have only one perforation.

[Andreas Wideroe]

Perhaps they might buy the Kodak patents?

[S8 Booster]

I think Apple focus is completely elswhere. Patents can be bought/leased one by one on demand.
There is always a getaround patents but sometimes it is more useful to but/lease.
iircc Jobs negotiated with a major US network (ABC?) to get a cooperation going for the new Apple Tv - the ultimate TV but did not get other than a lukewarm shoulder ( which may become the paralell to the man who gave The Beatles away with: guitar groups are on the way out Mr. Epstein 1962). I thing there was an iTunes element there.

There has been rumors about Apple/Disney big time dealing.

By this context it seems to me that Kodak isnt worth 1 ¥ filmwise or other in a dwindling "film" market
I belive the Kodak film buzz will survive but on a very small scale.



My Dos Du-nots.

[Will2]

No, because they'll discontinue 35mm, 16mm and Super-8 in favor 2mm and 24mm, then retire that a year later in favor of 2.2mm and 25mm. Oh, and every roll of film will have only one perforation.

Awesome. You made me laugh. Very true.

I'd love to bring in my Eyemo to the genius bar and have them do maintenance for me.

[richard p. t.]

I'd love to bring in my Eyemo to the genius bar and have them do maintenance for me.

You spelt that wrong: its the Apple i-mo

[robbie]

Anyone see this today:

The writer : just attended (last night) a SMPTE meeting of the Hollywood Chapter.
The subject was "The Technology and History of Film, presented by Beverly
Pasterczyk of Eastman Kodak Co." Ms. Pasterczyk is a chemist with film R
& D at Kodak, and she mentioned that Kodak Research is currently engaged in
the continuing design and implementation of new emulsions, such as the new
version of the Vision III product.

Regarding consumer films, she said that they are considering restructuring
a new approach aimed at producing these at a reasonable cost in much
smaller volumes than in the past. She said that new technology will
permit them to continue to produce these in "boutique quantities" using
single coating machines rather than the huge multiple coaters of the
past. She said that basically, as long as they had sufficient orders for
a minimum of a single master roll "54 inches (almost 1-1/2 meters) wide by
whatever length - no minimum stated", they would consider examining
production in terms of the economics involved. Future production would
primarily be on an "on demand" basis.

This would include the infrastructure for processing, probably at a single
lab, either in Rochester NY, or sub-contracted.

"On demand" could conceivably include any film that Kodak has ever
manufactured. Someone in the audience asked the inevitable question:
"Including Kodachrome?" Her answer: "Yes, including Kodachrome". She
added that while small runs of Kodachrome were unlikely, it was not out of
the question, since they have had numerous inquiries.

To the question "How could this be made possible?" her answer was
intriguing. "Volume is the answer. Consumer groups of large numbers of
individuals could petition for the return of a specific film. This would
include not only large companies, but also individuals banded together such
as camera clubs, especially those with a large enough base such that they
could collectively join on a national or even international basis".

[richard p. t.]

That's very interesting Robbie, and very encouraging. Thanks for posting.
rt

[Scotness]

Yes that is good news - very much like printing on demand with books. Once they get the mechanical and economic models right there's no reason why film couldn't continue in perpetuity.

A few thoughts though:

- What about the processing of Kodachrome??
- For us shooting Super 8 we would also need the film loaded into the carts - is this something they would consider - or this would be outsourced?
- We could group together here to make orders - Andreas could handle it and put a small fee on it to help with his server expenses and we're away!

Scot

[wado1942]

That's cool because it opens up the opportunity for custom film runs. Some potential problems are long waits for film, which means more people may stop carrying film because they'd have to wait for it. The price may increase due to small runs, even with new manufacturing techniques. The quality may suffer.

Now, if they'll make a 50-100 ISO T-grain B&W film for a decent price, I'd probably start shooting Super-8 again.

[etimh]

Anyone see this today:

Someone in the audience asked the inevitable question: "Including Kodachrome?" Her answer: "Yes, including Kodachrome".

Yes, when I saw this (from the original source) I was amazed and excited. Could it actually happen? Probably not, but what a resurrection that would be. Really loved everything that stock and miss it terribly.

Tim

[longlivefilm]

has anybody heard that kodak is increasing its film prices by 15 per cent on april 1 , this is not a joke.

[Juergen]

As far as I know this is only true for photo products not for Entertainment Imaging products.