GOODBYE K40...

[Evan Kubota]

"It now makes perfect sense to me that the expiry was so close - 11/2005 is probably the last batch."

True ... I thought this was a little odd when I got my film about a month ago. When was that batch produced? November 04?

The new film is probably fine, but processing costs are going to kill me. What are some labs that will support the new emulsion?

Considering only 1 lab in the US was processing K40, and it wasn't even owned by Kodak, I don't see why they suddenly care so much about the environmental effects of their film as caused by another company. Also, they are continuing to produce 16mm. This fixes nothing but creates a lot of problems for users like myself who hate paying $15 and change for processing what used to cost $5.

[reflex]

This fixes nothing but creates a lot of problems for users like myself who hate paying $15 and change for processing what used to cost $5.

Well, outside the USA things were a bit different. We didn't have the advantage of $4.88 K-40 processing at Wal-Mart, and a roll of Kodachrome with processing included costs CAD$24 direct from Kodak, or about $30 on the shelf of a better-stocked camera shop.

We have a motion picture lab in town that could handle S8 B&W and 7240 -- I'm hoping that he'll be able to process the new 64T stock. If that's the case, then I can drop film off on Wednesday afternoon and have it back on Friday at a cost of about $10/roll with no postage delays.

A thought struck me. I wonder how this will impact Roger's Workprinter business? I hope that most of his clients (and future clients) are archiving old reversal film for customers, so their business continues.

This would seem to be a great time to perfect the telecine process for using the Workprinter and negative.

[Daniel]

Hello,

What are some labs that will support the new emulsion?

Currently Spectra Film and Video in California is ready for processing super8 on E6. They develop also the 35mm E6 motion picture films.

Check at :
http://www.spectrafilmandvideo.com/Lab.html

If you are really concerned on low budget filmmaking, I think you should consider to invest in some Russian developing tank and that way you would be able to process the new emultion on E6 kit.
Two years ago I processed 5 Ektachrome EPP 100D (super8 custom-loaded by Pro8 on 2001) with Tetenal Colortec E6 kit. The result were great and very reliable. It was a 5 liters kit, and the Tetenal Colortec chemical is just 3 baths (FD + CD + BL/FX plus a Stabilizer).
The only issue is that you need to really carefully control the temperature of the baths, specially the FD and CD.
Of course you need to have time and disposition to do that, if not, one could send it to a pro lab. But if you have time and disposition it is really great to own develop the films. And not only Black and White films, but Color reversal. For me it is really a good news, and in this point K-40 was exactly the only film that one could not develop "at own small lab".
Own developing doesn't guarantee the cleanest result (dust...) but at least chemical result can be ok, with practice. For cleanest result, an industrial lab would be the choice.

Regards,
Daniel Henriquez Ilic

[Evan Kubota]

Reflex - at the current rate, CAD$24 is about $19USD. Not too much more than the $14.50 or so that it costs me to buy and develop one cart of K40... The processing for the new E64 is probably going to cost more than pre-paid (for the rest of the world) or Wal-Mart (for US) processing would have.

[timdrage]

Noooooo.....

[timdrage]

Kodak will give customers at least a year to process their Kodachrome Super 8 film with Kodak or to seek an alternative.

Alternative?! Do they just mean Dwaynes? is there any other alternative!?

[kentbulza]

If anything, this film is good for COPYING K40 reversal film to make second prints!:

I think the best for copying K40 would be Edupe. EPY/EPT are really grainy and the result would be too contrasty. Edupe is specifically designed for copying reveral and it's nominally a 25 ASA stock, so much finer grain.

[Angus]

I have to eat my words about Kodak not discontinuing K40, though I maintain it makes no sense. Kodak mention dwindling sales but we know sales of K40 are actually still quite high, hundreds of thousands of units per year.

I for one now intend never buying any Kodak products again save for super 8 film in whatever emulsion they diegn to give us.

I'm pleased the new 64T is coming out, but this is a new emulsion and we don't yet know the technical specs. This will all-but kill super 8 film making.

I had been wondering though...the last few batches of K40 I bought all had expiry dates in late 2005, and time was when they'd have two years to go. I have a hunch they've ceased manufacturing K40 already.

Oh well I have a real great stash of sound film, guess I'll have a couple of years to shoot it now and have a ball shooting it all!

Thanks to the staff at the Swiss lab, I guess I won't be doing business with you for much longer but your efforts are always appreciated.

[reflex]

I have to eat my words about Kodak not discontinuing K40, though I maintain it makes no sense. Kodak mention dwindling sales but we know sales of K40 are actually still quite high, hundreds of thousands of units per year.

Hundreds of thousands of K40 carts sold would probably generate enough money to keep a half-dozen people employed at most, once you subtract manufacturing costs. Now add in the costs of maintaining Kodachrome processing equipment and the 60-year old buildings its housed in. And don't forget the environmental staff you need to monitor the muck you make.

[ccortez]

I'm pleased the new 64T is coming out, but this is a new emulsion and we don't yet know the technical specs. This will all-but kill super 8 film making.

Excellent! Who's going to sell me their Beaulieu?!? :twisted:

To the reactionaries: :roll:

c.

[Paul L.]

I can't imagine the processing costs being $15 per cart, first of all. Second, if that's too expensive, filmmaking is not the hobby for you. Just wait until you pay for a rank transfer. That $15 per roll is a bargain.

[Evan Kubota]

"I can't imagine the processing costs being $15 per cart, first of all."

It is. Check Spectra or any other lab. I haven't seen color Ektachrome processing for less than $15 per cart.

As for that being too expensive, of course it is. Why should it magically cost 3 times more than Dwayne's through Wal-Mart? I can physically afford to pay $15 several times for processing, but it does reduce the quantity I can shoot. I have no intention of paying for a Rank transfer - my pockets aren't that deep. My films are financed from my own pockets and I hate paying more than necessary.

[Paul L.]

All I can say is that this is a tough hobby to be in if you don't have disposable income. I've spent a lot of money for so little output. The cost is what it is... and honestly, I think that was some kind of amazing free ride you were getting with $4.88 processing. You can't even get a roll of slides developed for that. You're in a rich man's hobby.

[scott]

A rich man's hobby? Nah!

Obviously you haven't been spending your free time doing other things. Here's a few of my hobbies, all of which are much more expensive than super8 filming:

Rock Climbing - Go ahead and buy your lead rack, aid climbing gear, and alpine gear, then fund the never ending climbing trips to Yosemite, Wyoming, and Pakistan, and tell me which is more expensive.

Skiing - new skis and lift tickets? Ouch..

Kayaking - that kayak is waaaaay more expensive than my Canon AZ. Add a car rack, paddles, and all of the other misc gear, and your hurting.

Skydiving - Ok, so I haven't made my first jump yet, but boy, is it expensive!!! Then again, who want's to jump with a bargain parachute?

I have more hobbies, of course, but to go on would only embarass me. I guess I just want to try it all before I die. I guess that's why my current project is called "Adventure Pennsylvania" - coming to a DVD player near you.

And my point? I am by no means rich. I just own a modest house and drive a 10 year old car. And yes, sometimes it takes me some saving to do the things that I want to do, but it's worth it.

Home developing could be done on the new film with a small investment in a tank. I'd bet $5 a cart for home processing is a good guess at cost.

And you don't have to be rich to afford that.

Scott

[Paul L.]

I agree, those are expensive hobbies OK, let's not call it a "rich man's hobby", but it certainly not something that you can get by on with a small initial investment and coast along. The film and processing isn't even the big problem.... the transfer is. I see no point in settling for a substandard transfer after spending time trying to get good footage. And a Rank/Spirit transfer is quite expensive. I have a stack of about twenty-five rolls of processed K40 at home that have been collecting dust because I'm hesitant to cough up the hundreds of dollars necessary to transfer it. (and the fact that they are K40 sound-on-film which are going to be a pain to sync-up).