P3D Come out of the Cold

[Bob_Maxey@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

>>It is a well-documented fact that Kodachrome has a long storage life *in
>>cool, dark storage*.  Poor storage conditions will destroy any film,
>>even Kodachrome.  However, Kodachrome fades faster than Ektachrome when
>>projected (according to Kodak), so if you intend to publicly exhibit
>>those stereo shots you might want to re-think your choice of emulsion.


1. Slides in my collection date back to the very first Kodachrome. I have
these because of my association with a local dealer that was established in
1890. This includes roll, 35mm and sheet. All still fantastic. Many of the
sheet materials were used in Kodak Dealer Displays that used lights behind
flashed opal glass. They still look good because they were cared for. Are
they perfect? No, did they fade? I suspect to some extent they did.. The
displays were rotated over a long period of time. Incidentally, all of the
Ektachrome sheet material has faded to a point where they are no longer
good. The Kodachromes are far, far better.

All I can go by is my experiences,

2. My fathers collection of slides was stored in every possible way, all of
them poor choices for storing film. Cool dark storage was not one of them,
and they do not have any problems.

3. The Ektachromes of the period are all loosing quality, as are the Ansco
materials. The Kodachromes that have faded are in mounts indicating they
were not processed by Kodak. Technicolor processed slides are the worse of
the lot.

4. My dad liked to project his slides and many of the images of me taken
more than 30 years ago are still good and show very little signs of
problems.

5. I agree that Kodachromes will fade because of projection, but so will
every other slide. When you compare all of the characteristics of
Kodachrome against any other slide film, Kodachrome is the clear winner. My
proof is my collection of images as well as the millions of Kodachromes in
the hands of the average photographer.

>>To use your own phrase, "Balderdash, Balderdash, Balderdash".  Film
>>degrades over time due to chemical processes occurring in the emulsion.
>>It is a physical law that chemical reactions occur more slowly at lower
>>temperatures.  Freezing film will DEFINITELY extend its useful life.
>>You must be careful to let it come to room temperature before using it,
>>however, to prevent condensation that can damage the film, your camera
>>and your images.


6. Freezing will not "Definitely" extend its life. There is nothing
Definite about it. Freezing might slow down degradation to a point, but
still, film must be used and processed before it expires. Why do you think
Kodak puts a date on its films?  No, Refrigeration yes, but still use it
before it expires. That is and has always been Kodak's recommendations. It
is a simple fact. I will stand by my comment: Use the material before it
reaches its expiration date.

Look, folks.. shoot what you want to shoot. Far be it from me to say that
Kodachrome is the only film you should use. My experiences over a long
period of time indicate that Kodachrome has far more to offer than other
materials.

RM



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