Lomography releases a new formulation of Lomochrome Metropolis

Jonno85uk · Nov 9, 2021

https://shop.lomography.com/en/films/lomochrome-film/2021-lomochrome-metropolis-film-35mm-5pack

I must say, this looks more appealing than the post-apocalyptic look of the previous version.

pentaxuser · Nov 9, 2021

Here's 2 quotes from the advert:1. Take your adventures to greater heights than ever before with a unique extended 100-400 ISO range and characteristic analogue grain.

I couldn't see why this is unique. It might be a 200 film whose range like most C41 colour is acceptable between 1 stop under exposed and 1 stop over or a 400 film that manages 2 stops over but most colour films cover this range so any idea why this makes it unique?

2."Lomography is making some major waves in the photo world today by unveiling the first brand new color negative emulsion to be released in half a decade."
– Petapixel

Following the success of our LomoChrome Metropolis 2019 formula, we have created a brand-new LomoChrome Metropolis 2021 formula. We have reworked this experimental film to bring even bolder contrasts, stronger color saturation, and iconic grain.

Is it brand new or is this just Petapixel's opinion? If it's brand new does Lomography make it from start to finish or simply arrange some established colour film maker to do it for them and if what is Lomography's part in all of this- any ideas? I wonder what " we have reworked" actually means in what Lomography has actually done or arranged to have done on its behalf? Any ideas?

At £12.50 a roll for a 36 frame 135 it's more expensive than Portra currently so it has to be exceptional I'd have thought

The truth is out there somewhere. It's finding it that's seems to be the problem.

pentaxuser

pentaxuser · Nov 9, 2021

faberryman said:
The truth is unlikely to be found in any of Lomography's marketing materials. I can barely make any sense of them.

Yes, I am having the same problem as you can see. It's just that the OP says it looks more appealing and I wondered if he had any thoughts or even facts about it which I can't glean from the link provided.

pentaxuser

faberryman · Nov 9, 2021

pentaxuser said:
Yes, I am having the same problem as you can see. It's just that the OP says it looks more appealing and I wondered if he had any thoughts or even facts about it which I can't glean from the link provided.

As best as I can tell Lomochrome Metropolis is like Cracker Jacks: there is a surprise in every box. Maybe a surprise is what you need when you make an otherwise banal image. The colors are weird so it must be art.

brbo · Nov 9, 2021

Lomography doesn't make film. Metropolis is made by Inoviscoat.

radiant · Nov 9, 2021

I'm too easy with good looking packaging. I could buy that film just based on the looks while I understand it has nothing to do with the results. I'm so happy I'm locked into one film currently.

perkeleellinen · Nov 9, 2021

I liked the old version of this film, worked well for portraits.

foc · Nov 9, 2021

Here is what the Big Film Database says about the Metropolis 2019

http://industrieplus.net/dxdatabase/rechfilm.php?name=lomochrome+metropolis

I often wondered why Lomography called a C41 film with Chrome in the name. Maybe it was to simulate cross processing
Films with Chrome in the name usually indicate that they are transparency films. ( I know Kodak called a B&W film Verichrome Pan ).

MattKing · Nov 9, 2021

I've moved this thread to the Colour Film and Chemistry sub-forum.

Jonno85uk · Nov 9, 2021

Old Gregg said:
@pentaxuser IIRC Henning said that Metropolis is their own design, the only in-house developed and manufactured emulsion they sell.

That's what I've read too. Some of the lomography colour "effect" films are apparently experiments by inoviscoat/filmotec on their way to manufacture a more normal film.

As for why it's marketed with 100-400, apparently you get weird colour shifts depending on how it was exposed. No idea if it's true because I wouldn't touch the effect films even if it was free.

pentaxuser · Nov 9, 2021

Jonno85uk said:
As for why it's marketed with 100-400, apparently you get weird colour shifts depending on how it was exposed. No idea if it's true because I wouldn't touch the effect films even if it was free.

OK and thanks. It was just that you used the phrase "more appealing than the previous version" so I wondered if you expressing some enthusiasm for it.

So in summary it does strange things, it is not a multiple speed film by any normal definition of what such a film might be, nor does Lomography make it.. It is basically all marketing hype with actual facts about it as scarce as hens' teeth and it costs more than Portra

I may just have to pass on this film

pentaxuser

Jonno85uk · Nov 9, 2021

pentaxuser said:
OK and thanks. It was just that you used the phrase "more appealing than the previous version" so I wondered if you expressing some enthusiasm for it.

So in summary it does strange things, it is not a multiple speed film by any normal definition of what such a film might be, nor does Lomography make it.. It is basically all marketing hype with actual facts about it as scarce as hens' teeth and it costs more than Portra

I may just have to pass on this film

pentaxuser

That's the way it goes with them. As for this film, I must admit I do have some enthusiasm for it as my immediate thought was that it didn't look like shite.

pentaxuser · Nov 9, 2021

Well given that your announcement of a new Lomography film has been met with a less than a "Hallejuha" reception it may mean that a lot of others here have wry smiles on their faces as well about it and its marketing but we are probably not representative of the new generation of film converts. They seem to seek and get something "new and shiny" at frequent enough intervals to keep sales going. They may not and I strongly suspect are not Photrio members

pentaxuser

Patrick Robert James · Nov 9, 2021

Looks like Inoviscoat is getting closer to having a solid c-41 film. I almost choked when I saw the price though.

Lachlan Young · Nov 9, 2021

Old Gregg said:
@pentaxuser IIRC Henning said that Metropolis is their own design, the only in-house developed and manufactured emulsion they sell.

Metropolis is essentially a stepping stone to a finalised and 'normal' colour neg emulsion - Ron Mowrey described the previous version as looking much like what a colour neg film minus scavengers would look like. Made and coated by Inoviscoat as far as is known.

Huss · Nov 9, 2021

I really like Metropolis and Lomo Purple. I love that Lomography gives us choices.

Of course most people on this site wouldn't because they are still pining for the days of Tri-X back when it was an ISO 200 film.

Agulliver · Nov 10, 2021

I also understand that Lomocrhome Metropolis is at least coated by Inoviscoat and is a happy by-product of their striving to eventually make "regular" C41 film. It suggests they'll get there eventually. As it stands, the muted colours make it a nice artistic choice for some circumstances. I've shot just one roll in 110 format in a basic camera, back in 2020. In bright, direct sunlight I kind of like it. But it's not an everyday film.

As for the "chrome" name...in the past even B&W films were labelled "chrome" (see verichrome Pan, for one). Only latterly has it indicated slide/reversal colour film.

Here are a few examples in 110 format of the 2019 Metropolis.

AgX · Nov 10, 2021

Agulliver said:
As for the "chrome" name...in the past even B&W films were labelled "chrome" (see verichrome Pan, for one). Only latterly has it indicated slide/reversal colour film.

It was Kodak's way of designation colour reversal fims that finally was taken over by the other manufacturers, first even in the original, greek way of spelling, without an e.

mtnbkr · Nov 10, 2021

I like what Lomography does film-wise. If I want "perfect" (at least as perfect as I'm capable of!), I'll just use my digital camera and modern lenses. I'm using film and old cameras to get a more interesting result straight from the camera. I'm still waiting to get my rolls of Lomo Purple and Metropolis from processing (both shot in a Brownie Hawkeye), but based on the online shots I'm looking forward to the outcome.

I should have my prints soon. If I'm even slightly pleased with them, I'll buy a few more rolls to keep on hand.

Chris

halfaman · Nov 10, 2021

I like also what Lomography is doing even I found sometimes too much verbosity in their marketing (a.k.a "bullsh**"). I will probably buy some of this new Metropolis film if it is available in 120 format.

Paul Howell · Nov 10, 2021

Huss wrote:

"I really like Metropolis and Lomo Purple. I love that Lomography gives us choices.

Of course most people on this site wouldn't because they are still pining for the days of Tri-X back when it was an ISO 200 film."

Which is true, my sensibilities are fixed in the 60s and 70s, if you have modern sensibilities Lomo films might be just the ticket. And nice work.

halfaman · Nov 10, 2021

Lomography just answered me that new Lomochrome Metropolis will be available in 120 somewhere between spring and summer of 2022.

Huss · Nov 10, 2021

Thanks for the nice comments. I love using traditional films - HP5, Portra, TriX etc. It's just pretty darn sweet that Lomography gives us these options for a different look.

Auer · Nov 10, 2021

Looks like Kodak Pro Image with bleach bypass.

Huss · Nov 10, 2021

Metropolis in 110 format, using a Rollei A110

Lomo Purple in 110, using a Rollei A110

Lomo Tiger in 110, Rollei A110

And to bring it back to Metropolis - here using a Fuji GW690III:

Lomography makes the film world a better place.

Lomography releases a new formulation of Lomochrome Metropolis

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