The return of Kodak Ektachrome

Kodak makes a striking announcement at the Vegas big-top event — the Consumer Electronics Show 2017 (CES2017).

In the footsteps of Impossible with its vintage-style cameras, Kodak made an announcement on 5 January 2017 during CES2017 in Las Vegas.

To the delight of film enthusiasts across the globe, Eastman Kodak Company today announced plans to bring back one of its most iconic film stocks. Over the next 12 months, Kodak will be working to reformulate and manufacture KODAK EKTACHROME Film for both motion picture and still photography applications. Initial availability is expected in the fourth quarter of 2017.

In plain English: the return of the wonderful Kodak Ektachrome film. Pulled from sale in 2012 because of declining activity in this segment, the brand noted a certain enthusiasm for these legendary products — much like Impossible or Leica. The 35mm film is scheduled for sale in late 2017; an 8mm film will follow.

The Kodak Ektachrome is a colour reversal film — that is, slide film. It has been developed since 1977 using the well-known E-6 process.

Ektachrome

A legendary film, Ektachrome was available in various formats, notably in 120. For most photographers, Ektachrome is also a synonym for memories — like a weekend by the Channel with bright sun and an old Lubitel.

It's also almost a fetish: I have, for example, a box of Ektachrome "expired" since July 1995. And like fine wine, I'm saving it for a grand occasion.

Ektachrome in detail

Ektachrome, initially developed in the early 1940s, allowed professionals and amateurs to process their own film. Ektachrome films were available in many speeds: for the "daylight" versions (daylight) at 50, 64, 100, 200, 400, and P800/1600 ISO, and for artificial light (tungsten) at 64, 160, and 320 ISO2, which could be "pushed" like black-and-white emulsions for extreme use. In late 2009, Kodak announced the end of production of Ektachrome 64T (EPY — artificial-light film) and 100 Plus (EPP — professional film), whose sales had dropped sharply. On 4 February 2011, the firm announced the discontinuation of Ektachrome 200, and at the end of 2011 the Professional Elite Chrome 100 was also discontinued. On 1 March 2012, three more films went: the Ektachrome E100G, E100VS, and Elite Chrome Extra Color 100. In December 2012, Kodak announced the end of production of Ektachrome 100D (photo and motion picture), the brand's last colour reversal film.