1956 and big news from Kodak as their films continued to be improved
Toronto. George Dunbar recently sent me an email regarding this Kodak ad in the April, 1956 issue of Popular Mechanics. It brought back many memories. I used all the films noted at one time or another.
As far as I know, Verichome was one of the first B&W films to have two emulsion layers; one ‘fast’ and the other ‘slow’. The idea was to ensure more printable photos from negatives exposed in box cameras and cheap folders with their f/16 or f/22 lenses.
Kodachome and Ektachome gave different colour renditions of a scene. The type F Kodachome was a nod to indoor shots with flash. No filter or coloured flash bulbs needed. I first used Kodachrome at around ASA 10. The results were very high contrast and to my eye rather gloomy colours. I didn’t realize at the time that strong but muted sunlight was necessary for good exposure.
Various Kodak B&W films offered different speeds and contrast. Tri-X at what is now a puny ASA (ISO) 400 was a big deal at the time. My Exakta set to f/1.9 at 1/25th second gave decent results under commercial florescent lighting. Earlier fast Kodak B&W film which I also used was rated around ASA 160/200. Tri-X at 400 could be ‘pushed’ to ASA 600 or so with longer development.
Ahhh, those were the days of film and carefully framed and exposed shots (to keep costs down). A big thank you to my good friend George for finding this ad and sharing it with us.
