Are you a fan of shooting medium format film? Get ready, for Kodak has finally shed some light on the upcoming release of its Ektachrome 100 in 120 medium format.
After first being unveiled in late 2018, the Kodak Ektachrome 100 in 35mm is based upon the Kodak Ektachrome E100G E6 slide film that was produced until 2012. The company has now revealed via an Instagram post their intention of a “coating trial” of the medium format version, currently scheduled for the latter half of July. As per their post:
We know you’re anxiously awaiting the arrival of larger format Ektachrome E100 Films. We are diligently working on bringing them to market, with a wide coating trial of the 120 format film planned for late July!
As of writing, there’s no word on whether photographers in the community will receive the film early, as has happened on previous beta test occasions.
Ektachrome 100 is noted for its vibrant colors, as well as displaying extremely low grain in the 35mm format. The 120 film will only accentuate this further, enabling photographers to produce grainless reproductions in extremely large sizes. Whether Kodak will release Ektachrome 100 in even larger formats at a later date remains to be seen, although they have mentioned that other formats would be considered based on the reception to the 35mm film.
Is the new 35mm stuff any good? If so, I might snag a few rolls of this when it comes out since I never got a chance to give it a go before it was discontinued.
Is it Kodak in name only ? Eastmann Kodak went defunct years ago .. so I assume its some other investment company that just uses the name.
Is Eastmann House photo museum still open in Rochester ..
In this case, it's Kodak Alaris, not an investment company slapping their name on $100 Android tablets and $30 point and shoots.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodak_Alaris
Ektachrome was always my favorite film for color rendition and fine grain. I’m so glad they decided to bring it back. I would also like to hear how the new version recently released compares to the stuff from years back. I haven’t shot film in years, but this film and some of the new B&W films coming it soon have made me consider breaking out the old film bodies and give them a whirl.
Awesome. Can't wait to use it
I've shot 5 rolls of the 135, and really, really like it. And I wasn't shooting much film back when E6 ruled, so it's not some kind of nostalgia for transparency film in general, or Kodachrome in particular. . I just like it, without regard to any history or the fact that it's Kodak. Look forward to trying it in 120, which is what I'd use it for more.
Public Interest for these Kodak transparency films dropped like a rock by 2012 when they were discontinued. I went to all my local camera stores in LA and bought their remaining stock of Kodak E100G and E100VS 120 and sheet film. I froze it at -14F.
I recently shot some old stock Kodak E6 last week. I developed it at the Icon in Los Angeles. It was fine (maybe half a stop hot - I should have rated it at ASA 160 instead of 100).
This stuff is phenomenally good. This (circa 2019) is the last go-round and last chance for photographers to stockpile this amazing emulsion. Buy a good quality 3.5 or 5 cu ft CHEST freezer and start saving your money.