announced that the 35 mm format of Ektachrome was again available, while Super 8 and 16 mm motion picture versions would be available later. Processing Although Kodachrome is often considered a superior film due to its archival qualities and color palette, advances in dye and coupler technology blurred the boundaries between the differing processes, along with Kodak having abandoned Kodachrome research and development after the mid-1990s. Furthermore, the developing of Kodachrome always required a complex, fickle process requiring an on-site analytical lab and typically required a turnaround of several days to allow for shipping times. By contrast, small professional labs have been able to process Ektachrome on-site since the 1950s, with product safety and effluent discharge having been drastically improved since the 1970s, when Kodak reformulated their entire color chemistry lineup. It is even possible for amateur labs to process Ektachrome within an hour using a rotary tube processor (made by Jobo, WingLynch or PhotoTherm), sink-line, or even by hand inversion in a small drum and E-2, E-4, and E-6 processing chemistry kits were sold for home darkrooms. Variants Before Process AR-5 there was EA-5 for aero film. This is a hot version of E-4 and similar to ME-4 for Ektachrome motion picture film. E-6 was made available to the public in 1975, but only the pro films were available at the time. There were some color stability ("keeping") issues to verify before the amateur films could be released. E-7 is the "mix-it-yourself" version of E-6. Functionally it was equivalent, but there were a few differences. ES-8 is a special process for one type of Super 8mm movie film. It was introduced in 1975. There were some other Ektachrome processes for 16 mm motion picture films: ME-2A ECO-2 EC0-3 E-89 E-99 VNF-1 ("Video News Film", as this film was originally introduced for 16 mm news gathering) RVNP CRI-1 The following processes are used for amateur Ektachrome super 8 mm movie film: Ektachrome Movie process introduced in 1971 (movies without movie lights). The process was later designated EM-24 EM-25 is the mix-it-yourself version of EM-24. EM-26 is the updated process for improved Ektachrome super 8 films introduced in 1981. EM-27 is the mix-it-yourself version of EM-26. Process history E-1 Initial Ektachrome process for sheet and roll film (1946 – c. 1950s) E-2 Updated Ektachrome process for roll film and 135 film (1955–1966). A 1959 modification was called "improved" E-2. E-3 Updated