Mama done took my Kodachrome away!

[CogoSWSDS]

I remember way back when, when I was in High School, I shot about a roll of slide film a month. Some of that was Kodachrome. I've since switched to Digital for my still pictures. Kodak discontinued this film in 2009. There's only one lab in the world that still processes it - Dwayne's Photo in Parsons, Kansas. They will no longer process it after Dec. 30th, 2010. R.I.P., Kodachrome!

Kodachrome is very difficult to process because the dyes are added to the film during developing. However, the dyes used for it are extremely stable when stored in the dark. Extrapolation from tests show that the yellow dye will deteriorate 20% in 185 years. That's a really long time - you can't get that out kind of longevity out of any other kind of film. Digital will last as long but you'll have to keep moving it to new media.

When I would get my processed slides back from the lab, I'd toss 'em in the slide projector and project them on the screen my parents had and view them in all their projected glory. Since then I've switched to digital still photography (in addition to my home videos which I currently shoot on Digital 8). I honestly prefer to view my still pictures on the computer as they seem more vibrant than when they are printed. Ahh someday I will view them on an HD TV, including my old Kodachromes which I will eventually get around to scanning.

CogoSWSDS

[lordsmurf]

I quit using K-chrome in the late 90s, switching to E6 Fuji Velvia.
Just be sure your scanner isn't crap -- too many people use shoddy scanners.

[CogoSWSDS]

I've actually been looking at some of the scanners on the B&H website. I don't have the budget for the Nikon or Hasselblad scanners, but looking at some of the Plustek scanners. I don't think a flatbed or a sub-$100 scanner will do them justice. Might also need a calibration target. What do you think of the Plustek scanners?

Thanks,
CogoSWSDS

[redwudz]

I used to shoot Ektachrome from ends of motion picture reels quite a bit. It was cheap, though it couldn't beat the warm Kodachrome tones for facial values. Great for scenics, though. They would send the negatives and slides. I still have my Canon A-1, and all the lenses, but it's gathering dust now. My electronic Nikon is much easier to carry around and use. And with Photo shop, I can do about what I want with the output without delving into the darkroom.

[lordsmurf]

For slides, the Epson V300 does remarkably well -- better than my Nikon film scanners. Better yet, get the Epson V600 with ICE. They're about on par with Minolta scanners, which are some of the better slide scanners for under $1k. I've compared scans a number of times.

The Plustek is very "blah"' for quality. It's alright, I guess.
Better prices from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2F...reative=390957
I use B&H less and less for photo gear each year. Mostly just buy a/v gear from them now.

Darkrooms were such a health hazard, can't say I miss it that much.

[CogoSWSDS]

Thanks, Lordsmurf. I never really thought of using one of the Epson flatbeds for that. I'd always thought a dedicated film scanner would do a better job. Sounds like you've tried different scanners over the years. And your solution is less expensive than the Plustek too.

CogoSWSDS

[lordsmurf]

Flatbeds evolved.
Slide/film scanners sadly devolved. When Nikon quit making them, it was end game.

[JimmyJoeBob]

As everyone knows technology does not slow down but some things have to for each individual.

Case in point: Several years ago I purchased a HP slide/film scanner because the Nikon was to expensive. Not cheap and not good results from the HP.

I had several thousand slides and negatives to to do over 40 years of family life along with a multitude of Kodak brownie pictures from my parents during the 30's, 40's, 50's. Being in the service for a career we moved quite often and traveled to many different locations and documented travel and family life quite well with Kodachrome and various brands of negative film with Fuji being great for scenic shots because of the green dominance it seemed to provide.

I sold the HP piece of crap bought and bought an Epson Perfection 1650 flatbed and never looked back. It took a long time to convert everything but I was quite pleased with the results.

The problem is to do backups on various media sources as it don't sit in the attic and any 1 could fail at any time.

I guess my point is you have to be pleased with the end result or it will be a never ending task.

The Epson family of flatbed scanners that do slides and negatives are excellent.

I'm thinking of upgrading!

Good Luck!!

[lordsmurf]

Just to be clear on my recommendation:
Epson for slides.
Nikon for negative film.

[CogoSWSDS]

So what would you recommend for someone who is also looking to scan negative film (I have some negatives as well) for someone on a sub-$500 budget? Yeah the B-word rears its ugly head. What do you expect, I work for a university.

[lordsmurf]

Outsource it to a company if that's all you have, as it's better to get quality scanning than to buy something cheap and get fuzzy off-color scans. Otherwise the Plustek, one of the better models. Or look for a used Nikon -- those exist. Not on eBay, but on large photo forums with "for sale" areas by members.