PKR 64 vs. just 64

[Snatcat]

Just got some rolls of Kodachrome to try, thanks to bumping into the 'project.'

My question is what is the difference between the 'professional' PKR 64 and the four and a half bucks cheaper version I bought?

Looking at some Kodachromes online it seems contrasty and latitude seems narrow.

[Dan_KR64]

I am guessing but still doubting that if anything, you *should* see a more neutral color balance than the shelf version which could take a few months at room temperature to attain the same neutrality.

This is really hard for me to gauge though since the only real way to do this would be to let a roll of frozen KR mature for say, 3-4 months, buy the new PKR and KR roll, shoot them all together and look at the results.

I honestly don't think you are going to see much difference but I could be wrong...

I just shoot the consumer version, it sits around in batches of 10-40 in the fridge or at room temp and it looks great every time.

[mo-z]

My understanding is that 'professional' films are much closer to the stated ISO rating than are so-called 'amateur' films. Professional films expire sooner than amateur films do. Amateur films are designed to last longer on store shelves at room temperature. That's my two cents.

[dmr]

They tell me (the ubiquitous "they") that both KR and PKR are exactly the same film out of the the same batch, all the same, except ...

PKR is shipped at its peak, intended to be refrigerated until use.

KR is meant to "age" in the field, reaching peak at some time when the average person would use it.

That's what "they" tell me, anyway.

[Snatcat]

Thanks for the replies. Marketing wins again! The boxes I just got exp. 7/10 and batch #1562.

[Brian Kim]

I sometimes think I can see a difference, but then again, for me way out here in the boonies, ie. Hawaii, the processed image may also have been affected by shipping in, or shipping out, or just plain-old Hawaiian-kind unscientific user behaviour.

In any case, seems to me KR or PKR, the main thing is it performs like Kodachrome. When I look at it on the light table, the reds, yellows, whites, and blues, are the behaviours I look for. Or skin tones amid greens and purples.

[Melanger]

I've been shooting almost exclusively PKR ever since Kodak discontinued KM (aka K25). I find that PKR tends to be more saturated and much less contrasty that KR. I don't know how each behaves when scanned.

[marcus]

Personally I swear super fresh 64 is a little harsh. It seems the best rolls are the ones that sit around for a while.... who knows