Parsons company to bid farewell to Kodachrome film

Last Update: 6/29 1:37 pm

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PARSONS, Kansas – Kodachrome film will no longer be made by Kodak Film. But what many may not know is that Kansas is home to the only place in the world still processing it. Dwayne’s Photo in Parsons still develops the film sent in from all over the world.

It’s responsible for some the most vibrant, iconic photographs ever taken. It was the first color film sold. It’s documented history as well as countless family vacations. But now, after more than 70 years on the market, Kodak has announced in a digital world there’s no room left for Kodachrome film and it will no longer make it.

It’s disappointing news to one small Kansas company.

“I really think this is the end of an era,” said Grant Steinle with Dwayne’s Photo.

It’s the only place on Earth that processes the original color film.

“This is the only processor left in the world,” Steinle said.

At one time during its heyday in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, dozens of labs around the world processed Kodachrome film. Today, Dwayne’s Photo is the only one left. Grant Steinle took over the family shop from his father. He says about 20 percent of its business comes from developing Kodachrome film.

“We were sad and disappointed,” he said. “We had hoped Kodachrome film would last longer, but we knew it was coming at some point.”

The reason the lab in Parsons is the only one left processing Kodachrome is because even by film standards, turning the film into photos is a very complicated process.

“Out here we have the magenta developer, there’s a wash, there’s bleach, another wash step, then we have a dryer and it takes you up to the processor,” Steinle said. “It used to be a really magical event. You’re standing in a dark room and you see an image appear out of nothing in a tray on a piece of photography paper. Now, it’s like 'click' and I see it on the back of my cell phone.”

Running film through all the baths of chemicals mixed in the SHP’s laboratory to make a photo may seem almost shocking now in a world where all you have to do is point a cell phone, click and your image can be on the Internet for thousands to see in just seconds.

“Part of the magic of photography has disappeared with this change in technology,” Steinle said.

While Kodachrome film will soon disappear from the shelves, Dwayne’s Photo has promised Kodak it will continue to develop film for another year. Kodak plans to give the last roll of Kodachrome to award-winning photographer Steve McCurry. He’s the man responsible for a famous hunting photo of an African refugee in 1984. McCurry’s last roll will be turned into an exhibit at a museum in Rochester, NY where Kodak is headquartered. Steinle says Dwayne’s Photo plans to make the roll the very last it processes.

“Many of the images we thing of that define the 20th Century certainly were all captured on that film,” he said. “It's the end of an era. It really was an icon.”

After the roll is developed, Kodachrome will be gone forever and so will a Kansas company’s unique roll in providing the world a more colorful view of itself.

Kodak will keep selling Kodachrome until its stock runs out, which will likely be this fall. It can still be found at most major photo supply shops.

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