Kodachrome is back (but only as a VSCO preset)

Kodachrome is back (but only as a VSCO preset)
(Image credit: VSCO)

It is 11 years now since Kodak pulled the plug on Kodachrome film. As arguably the most of the most iconic 35mm film emulsion of all time, it is missed by a whole generation of photographers for which Kodachrome was synonymous with color photography. But now it is set to make a comeback of sorts – with VCSO announcing a new preset for its camera app.

The new KC25 preset aims to create the look and and coloration of Kodachrome 25 – the ISO 25 version of Kodak's legendary slide film. 

The filter offers Strength, Character and Warmth sliders, giving you a degree of control that 35mm transparency users never enjoyed. VSCO suggests decreasing the Character slider to add depth to blue skies, whilst increasing it to brighten shadows and increasing warmth for images shot in overcast conditions. 

For portraits, the manufacturers tell us that the Character slider can change skintone  to more yellow or more red, whilst the Warmth slider can be used to create a warm glow.

The preset is free to use for all VSCO users until 25 August - but after that will be reserved for paid up members (who are charged $19.99 / £19.99) a year for the full library of VCSO presets. The app is available for both Apple iOS and Android camera phones and tablets.

VSCO also tells us that it about to launch a facility to add text to images and videos. "In the coming weeks, we’re adding the ability to add text to your photos and videos from right within the VSCO app. Sometimes you just need some text to fully tell your story," the company explains. 

VSCO sample image using the KC25 filter (Image credit: VCSO)

VSCO sample image using the KC25 filter (Image credit: VCSO)

VSCO sample image using the KC25 filter (Image credit: VSCO)

VSCO sample image using the KC25 filter (Image credit: VSCO)

VSCO sample image using the KC25 filter (Image credit: VSCO)

VSCO sample image using the KC25 filter (Image credit: VSCO)

Read more:
Best camera apps for iPhone and Android

The best photo apps in 2020

Kodachrome: 11 things we remember 

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Chris George

Chris George has worked on Digital Camera World since its launch in 2017. He has been writing about photography, mobile phones, video making and technology for over 30 years – and has edited numerous magazines including PhotoPlus, N-Photo, Digital Camera, Video Camera, and Professional Photography. 


His first serious camera was the iconic Olympus OM10, with which he won the title of Young Photographer of the Year - long before the advent of autofocus and memory cards. Today he uses a Nikon D800, a Fujifilm X-T1, a Sony A7, and his iPhone 11 Pro.


He has written about technology for countless publications and websites including The Sunday Times Magazine, The Daily Telegraph, Dorling Kindersley, What Cellphone, T3 and Techradar.