Kodachrome vs. E6

[P3D Greg Dinkins <dinkins@xxxxxxxx>]

Dr. T posed these questions:

>When it comes to projection and slide storage in general I am more
>concerned with slide fading rather than heat.  Which portion of the
>radiation spectrum causes fading in slides?  Why is there a (reported)
>difference in the rate of fading between Kodachrome and E6 emulsions in
>projection?  Why is the Kodachrome more stable in (dark?) storage than E6?"

About 2 years ago I was on the circulation list for a great book on these
subjects.  I read quite a bit of it, enough to be thoroughly convinced that
Kodachrome is the film for me. I think the author is Henry Wilhelm and I
remember the title as "Care and feeding of color photographs". Of course it
has a proper long scholarly title. I'll trek up to the library next week and
try to come up with the reference. It has a 1963 picture of the JFKennedy
family on the cover. The Kennedy Library is a leader in dealing with
archival and display issues because he was the first prez to be and
routinely photographed in color. (I wonder if Ike carried his Realist to the
1960 innaugural?)

The author's research was impressive to me because it was both scientific
and anecdotal (a characteristic that I believe will appeal to Dr. T)  He
conducted controlled experiments over a period of years with many many types
of film and paper image materials under different lighting conditions. His
data is presented graphically. At least one chapter is devoted to the
Kodachrome/E6, dark-storage/projection debate. But he also spoke to people
across the board who create, use, buy, sell, display and store color
photographs. I remember an element of drama as he sleuths about the issue of
whether  Kodak knew that the color print material it was selling in the
1960's and 70's would turn green when displayed in normal room light. Seems
that a number of Mom and Pop portrait studios were put out of business when
they were deluged with irate customers wanting new prints when their Kodak
Memories didn't last forever or even 5 years. (Anybody else have one of
those Martian Family portraits from 1973? Mom does.). Michael Crichton it's
not, but I repeat this story to illustrate my memory that the book is
skeptical and sometimes cynical about the claims made by manufacturers. 

I really enjoyed this book and probably would have read the whole thing but
it was recalled and sent on its way to a long list of people. This appears
to be a matter of some concern. 

Disclaimer: I have no connection to the author or publisher. My thoughts
about this book are entirely my own and do not represent my employer.

Greg Dinkins


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