After 75 years, Kodachrome film processing comes to an end

Summary: Kodachrome film processing officially comes to an end after 75 years (1935 to 2010).

By Janice Chen for Digital Cameras & Camcorders | January 3, 2011 -- 05:00 GMT (21:00 PST)

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Although we knew it was coming, it's still a poignant moment for photo enthusiasts everywhere: On December 30, 2010, the last lab to offer Kodachrome film processing used up the final canister of the chemicals needed to develop the film, thus bringing to a close the era of Kodachrome slide film. Though it's been widely reported that Dwayne's Photo of Parsons, Kansas, would stop processing Kodachrome on the 30th, I couldn't let this milestone pass by without a mention here. Steve McCurry (of National Geographic's Afghan girl cover fame) was given the last roll of Kodachrome by Kodak last year and he hand delivered it to Dwayne's to be developed last week earlier this year. So sit back, put on your old Paul Simon record, check out some of the final frames McCurry shot, and just try to keep the lump from forming in your throat:

Steve McCurry's Blog: The End of an Era - 1935 to 2010
The New York Times: For Kodachrome Fans, Road Ends at Lab in Kansas
CBS News: Kodachrome: The Legendary Film's Last Days
Mashable: RIP Kodachrome

Topic: Tech Industry

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13 comments

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Kodachrome really is/was great

I have Kodachrome slides shot in 1946 that still look great - great color et al. When I scan them in, the digital versions are more muted. I suspect that the original slides will still look good in another 60 years, while the disk I can them into will be long gone.

Reality-based
3 January, 2011 06:09

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- RE: After 75 years, Kodachrome film processing comes to an end
 
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 jywhy888
 8 March, 2012 00:13
 
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Bad Journalism

Where do you get this garbage? There are some problems with your post: 1) McCurry delivered his roll in July, not last week. 2) Dwayne's did *open* the last canister of Cyan dye coupler last week, but they did not consume all of it. Think about it, how would they have *exactly* the right amount for an unknown quantity of inbound film? 3) Dwayne's did not use up the last canister last week. In fact, they are processing film today (1/3), because a) they had a huge surge at the end of last week, b) their machine was down most/all of 12/30. Five minutes of reading articles from credible news outlets would have revealed the above.

dtoeppen
3 January, 2011 10:08

Reply Vote
- RE: After 75 years, Kodachrome film processing comes to an end
 
 @dtoeppen
 There's always one know-it-all that has to point out useless minutia to make himself feel important, even if it misses the entire point of the article.
 
 Will Lewis
 3 January, 2011 12:50
 
 Reply Vote
 - RE: After 75 years, Kodachrome film processing comes to an end
 
 @congospruce
 
 The difference between the right word and the almost-right word is the difference between the lightning and the lightning-bug.
 
 --Mark Twain
 
 progan01@...
 3 January, 2011 16:25
 
 Reply Vote
What is Kodachrome?

Was that like the grandfather of the Chrome browser?

terry flores
3 January, 2011 11:41

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RE: After 75 years, Kodachrome film processing comes to an end

@congospruce:
thank you. my feelings exactly.

xxxtheo
3 January, 2011 15:14

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RE: After 75 years, Kodachrome film processing comes to an end

@congospruce,

I guess it's the difference between the emotional feel-good piece, and something a bit closer to the truth. I prefer the latter.

("Latter" means the last thing I mentioned in the list, not the first--that would be "the former." Just wanted to make sure you understood)

boothby
4 January, 2011 06:21

Reply Vote
RE: After 75 years, Kodachrome film processing comes to an end

The end of 35mm still-photo film is a very bad thing. Why? For one simple reason: It takes special technology to read a HDD. It takes only light to read the negative (or positive, in the case of a slide) of a roll of developed film. We're heading like lemmings off the cliff of too much digitization.

Raymond Danner
4 January, 2011 07:49

Reply Vote
- RE: After 75 years, Kodachrome film processing comes to an end
  
  @Raymond Danner
  Sorry, you picked the one film process that is not a good example for your point. Kodachrome processing requires 17 steps that must occur within very specific times and temperatures. Even minor variations will degrade the image quality significantly. These requirements and the specialized equipment required kept Kodachrome processing beyond the reach of even elite enthusiasts.
  
  Al Thomas
  4 January, 2011 23:25
  
  Reply Vote
Film processing era is obviously on its way out...

Digital photography capture and display have pretty much taken over the field. With all of the digital cameras available today, along with apps for the iPad like "iAlbum" that provide all of the look and feel of a "real" photo album in a virtual digital version, the need for real photo albums and their required film processing are definitely on their way out.

Jon-Jon
7 January, 2011 14:34

Reply Vote
RE: After 75 years, Kodachrome film processing comes to an end

Kodachrome, Ectachrome Cannon A-e1 Program or my new cell phone? This sucks!

bobbiesue2
26 June, 2011 15:59

Reply Vote