Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/12/14

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Subject: Re: [Leica] No more PMK 25 - Nat Geo..
From: n.b.watson@juno.com (Nigel B Watson)
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1998 12:25:32 EST

Several major pharmacy chains in north america sell Kodachrome and have
processing agreements with Kodalux (or whatever they call themselves
today).  According to several pro camera stores I frequent (none of whom
stock Kodachrome because of lack of interest) this is the main reason it
still exists.  Kodak having put a lot of money into the K-14 minilabs
seems to be an indication that they are adressing the "hard to get
processed" issue rather than planning the demise of Kodachrome.  Because
Kodachrome is an unique reversal film, Kodak has a built-in marketing
advantage.  With the shift to digitizing for A/V use, the archival
qualities are that much more promotable and the sensitivity to projection
less of an issue.   It would seem then a bad business move to abandon
Kodachrome entirely.  A better solution would be to improve the product
and make the processing more quick and convenient for users.  A K-14
emulsion with PKM's same sharpness and grain, but with a stop or two
increased speed (and perhaps K-200's pushability), and I doubt anyone
would miss even the 25 speed if it were subsequently discontinued.

Regards,
Nigel

On Mon, 14 Dec 1998 08:43:01 -0800 "Kotsinadelis, Peter (Peter)"
<peterk@lucent.com> writes:
>Eric, 
>Yes, but very very few are buying Kodachrome.  People don't seem to
>understand thet Kodak is in business to make money, which means if a 
>product
>does not sell, you don't keep it (or in the case of Kodachrome you 
>leave it
>to die a slow death).

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