Inside Kodak Factory: The Ultimate Film Photography Pilgrimage

My Dream Kodak Factory Tour Finally Happened

Sometimes life decides to toss you a healthy looking bone. At the beginning of 2024, my buddy Jason and I made a pact - rain or shine, yes or no, we were going to tour the Kodak Factory in Rochester, New York. What started as a New Year's resolution turned into the most incredible film photography adventure I've ever experienced.

Getting Inside Kodak Factory: The Journey Begins

Our hookup to this legendary Kodak Factory tour was none other than Cinestill Steve (that's his official legal name, by the way). After connecting with David, Birgit, and Jason on the east coast, we embarked on what would become an unforgettable journey inside Kodak Factory - something most film photographers only dream about.

The Unexpected Meeting That Changed Everything

Here's where the story gets wild. While touring the George Eastman Museum (our first stop on the Kodak pilgrimage), we literally ran into Papa Jim - the CEO of Kodak himself. After thanking us for shooting 35mm film, he asked if we'd been to the Kodak Factory yet. When we explained we didn't have clearance, he pulled out his phone and made some calls.

Minutes later, he came back with magic words: "How would you like to see the perfing and finishing process?"

NO WAY. Access to the inside Kodak Factory was now within reach!

Inside Kodak Factory: What Film Photographers Never Get to See

The Film Manufacturing Process Revealed

Going inside Kodak Factory was like stepping into the holy grail of film photography. Here's what we discovered during our exclusive Kodak Factory tour:

Film Slitting Room

The first room showcased massive scissor machines humming away, cutting 35mm film and other formats into different sizes. Today's focus was on IMAX and black and white film production - a film photographer's dream come true.

The Perfing Process

This is where the magic happens for 35mm film enthusiasts. Little creatures (okay, machines) use stamps to cut sprocket holes into film for different formats:

• BH perfing

• KS perfing

• T perfing

Fun fact we learned inside Kodak Factory: Motion film's sprocket holes are completely different from still 35mm filmsprocket holes!

The Coffin Room

Rolls of 35mm film and other formats rest in this climate-controlled environment until they're ready for distribution to film photographers worldwide.

Super 8 Heaven

Perhaps the most impressive part of our inside Kodak Factory experience was witnessing Super 8 cartridge assembly. Every single cartridge is assembled BY HAND with love. As a film photography enthusiast, seeing this level of craftsmanship was incredible.

The Age and Beauty of Kodak Manufacturing

What struck me most during our Kodak Factory tour was the age of these machines and how perfectly they still function. Some of this equipment has been producing 35mm film for decades, and it's still cranking out the film stock that film photographers rely on today.

Beyond the Kodak Factory: The Complete Rochester Experience

George Eastman Museum: Where Film Photography History Lives

Before going inside Kodak Factory, we explored the George Eastman Museum - integrated right into George's original house. For film photographers, this place is where it all started. The historical camera section blew our minds with:

• Some of the earliest cameras ever made

• The first digital camera

• Every Nikon model ever produced

• Technicolor chemistry displays

• An IMAX-sized camera that self-develops in space

The Secret Kodak Camera Vault

Few people ever get permission to enter the Kodak Camera Vault, and now I understand why. This place houses some of the oldest cameras known to man:

• Hasselblads and Leicas for days

• Crown Graphics galore

• Modified technicolor cameras

• Even a Star Wars camera modification

For any film photographer, this vault represents the ultimate collection.

Kodak Center and the Mystery Pool

The Kodak Center houses employee facilities and a legendary pool that was never actually used for swimming. Engineers didn't calculate the water weight properly, so it was repurposed to proof the massive Kodak Coloramas - 18 feet tall by 60 feet wide transparencies that hung in Grand Central Station.

Film Photography Gear Used During the Kodak Factory Tour

Throughout this film photography adventure, I brought my trusty arsenal:

Primary Cameras

• Leica M6 with 35mm film (my go-to for most situations)

• Mamiya 645 with interchangeable backs (perfect for film comparisons)

• Infrared camera for unique perspectives

Film Stock Selection for the Kodak Journey

• Tri-X for those moody silhouettes

• Phoenix 200 for that retro aesthetic

• Lomo 800 for low-light abandoned building exploration

• Ektar for vibrant countryside colors

• Aurora 800 for interior photography

• 400 speed film for versatile shooting

The Film Photography Community in Rochester

Meeting local film photographers Jesse and Noah showed me how strong the analog community is in Rochester. The city where Kodak built its empire still pulses with film photography energy, and George Eastman's fingerprints are felt everywhere you look.

Why Every Film Photographer Should Experience Kodak

This Kodak Factory tour reinforced why I'm so passionate about 35mm film and analog photography. Seeing where the world's film is manufactured, understanding the incredible craftsmanship that goes into every roll of 35mm film, and witnessing the dedication of Kodak employees was absolutely magical.

The People Who Make Film Photography Possible

Huge thanks to everyone at Kodak who made this inside Kodak Factory experience possible:

• Jim, Terry, Kristen, both Matts, Patrick

• The entire Super 8 crew and finishing team

• Eliza and Todd from the Eastman Museum

• Mayor Cinestill Steve for facilitating everything

Without these incredible people, we would have just been gawking at the side of a big building instead of going inside Kodak Factory.

The Future of Film Photography and Kodak

Experiencing the Kodak Factory firsthand gives me incredible optimism for the future of film photography. Seeing the dedication, craftsmanship, and passion that goes into every roll of 35mm film reminds me why analog photography will never die.

For film photographers everywhere - this is our mecca, our holy land. Kodak continues to produce the film stock that feeds our creative souls, and after seeing the operation inside Kodak Factory, I have nothing but respect for everyone involved in the process.

Want to see the full adventure? Check out the complete video documentation of our Kodak Factory tour on the Bad Flashes YouTube channel, where you can witness this incredible film photography journey firsthand.