P3D One Hour Kodachrome

[Bill Davis <bd3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Kodachrome users might be interested in this. (I was)

Back in February 1997, at the Photo Marketing Association show, Kodak
announced the introduction of the K-Lab, a new processing system for
Kodachrome film, basically a high-tech one-hour lab.  Designed to address
two common concerns of Kodachrome users, namely slow turnaround and
inconsistent processing quality, Kodak had said that the labs would be
installed in select locations initially, with more widespread distribution
later.  

There has not been a lot of information since then, though I had contacted
Kodak once or twice to see if one of the "select locations" might be here
in the Rochester area.  Apparently not.  Not yet, at least.  

There has been a bit more information released, however.  Entering "K-Lab"
in Eastman Kodak's Find page   http://www.kodak.com/cgi-bin/webSearchForm.pl  

the other night gave me a link to the earlier releases plus a press release
I hadn't found on previous searches, titled "PMA 98: Kodak Announces
Availability Of Processing System":
http://www.kodak.com/aboutKodak/pressReleases/pr19980212-03.shtml

This gives more information on the system and its early success.  Bits
excerpted:

"The Kodak K-Lab processor was first demonstrated at last February's
 Photo Marketing Association show and became available on a limited
 basis in November. 

 The simple operation, small size and low cost of the K-Lab processor
 enables it to be installed in more locations than the previous K-14
 processing system, giving users of Kodachrome film greater access to
 the service. Also, the K-Lab processor's computer-controlled
 development process with precision-mixed chemicals was designed to
 provide more consistent processing results over time and across
 photofinishers."

The page goes on to include rave reviews from lab operators, photographers
and retailers alike.  Obviously, being a Kodak release, they tell us just
the good stuff, but it does sound good.  They are heavily touting the
cleanliness and speed of the K-Lab system, and crediting it with increased
sales of Kodachrome. 

The release mentions some of the early K-Lab locations:
HORIUCHI COMMERCIAL LAB in Tokyo, BWC CHROME LABS in Miami Beach, Fla.,
A&I, Los Angeles, Calif., and QUALEX in San Leandro, Calif. and Tukwilla,
Wash.

They also mention a couple of retailers who send Kodachrome to one of the
K-Labs:
KEEBLE & SHUCHAT, Palo Alto, Calif. and MENLO CAMERA, Menlo Park, Calif.  

Rosanne Simon, the sales manager at Qualex San Leandro, is quoted "Only
four months in, we are already processing 2,000 rolls of Kodachrome film a
week. With a capacity of 5,000 a week, 1998 is looking good."

I wonder what their volume was with the K-14 setup?

I don't think any of these labs does stereo mounting. That would be too
good to be true.  A&I (Alexander & Ishihara) used to, but a call to them
last week confirmed that they no longer offer this.

If there is anyone on the list who "knows" that their Kodachrome is
processed at one of these labs, maybe you could post your impressions?

BTW, I heard a teaser for the local news on the car radio a month or so ago
stating "Kodak announces it is dropping one of it's oldest films, details
at six". 

The rest of my ride home was filled with wondering which E-6 film I would
have to settle for now that they pulled the plug on Kodachrome, and what
would my grandchildren think when they looked at my slides years from now.
"Gee, all of Granddad's shots between 1986 and 1998 are so beautiful.  Why
did he start using the yucky pink stuff with the faded colors?" 

I got home, kicked the cat, snarled at my wife and growled at my daughter.
Waited through twenty minutes of other news (Why did they say details at 6
if they meant 6:20?) only to find that Kodak had dropped the 126 instamatic
cartridge!  Who even knew they were still making that one anyhow? "That's a
format, not a film, you idiots!" I yelled to no one in particular.  Then I
hugged my daughter, kissed my wife and scratched the cat behind his ears. 








Best regards,
Bill Davis

mailto:bd3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxx



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