STORM TRACK: July 31, 1980 (Volume 3 Issue 5)

I have finally begun to make duplicate slides with color fidelity very close to the originals. The following passes on this desultory experience and the results to date, for those of you wanting duplicates but who don't. want to send out those once-in-a-lifetime slides. If you can secure a slide duplicating accessory to your camera, you can reproduce highly satisfactory results. For duplicating Kodachrome slides, ASA 25, use (1) Kodak color compensating gelatin filters CC 40Y and CC 05Y, plus a Wratten ND filter 0.40; (2) a 3200 deg K 500 watt photoflood lamp (from your local camera store); and (3) Kodak Ektachrome Slide Duplicating film 5071, Process E-6, estimated ASA 50 (store in refrigerator). Filters may be taped (one on top of the other -and trimmed as neccessary) on back of the opaque glass of your duplicator, between it and the light source. I have had superb results with the preceding for moderate to fairly high contrast CBs, TCUs and heavy, sunlit buildups. However, for comparatively poorer contrast storm-base slides, I prefer using Kodachrome "40 Type A" film 5070, KPA 135-)6 (ASA-40). I don't yet have this film/filter combination down pat but am currently working with (1) Kodak color compensating gelatin filters CC 30Y and 30C; and (2) a 3400 deg K 500 watt photo flood lamp. There is still a slight green tint but -- depending on the original -- this is not excessive. Kodachrome tends to accentuate contrasts and pull out detail in a weak contrast original. Additionally, a Wratten gelatin filter No. 96 ND 0.30 (hand held) is used to suppress light areas in high contrast slides; for bright areas, I use an opaque glass (hand held) with a thin wash of water color as the filter.

For convenience, since both films have similar ASA ratings (40 and about 50), I usually set the camera for one of these (40) and set f stop/times around this for both. Keep a detailed log of correct exposures for your good slides, once you've taken an experimental roll or two. Do remember to change filters and the light source. Good luck!!

NOTE: Some plastic slide holders can ruin your slides. There is some danger of image deteorioration, especially of older films, from some types of plastic made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or related compounds that give off hydrogen chloride. On the other hand, polyethylene or polypropylene is safe.