New Metropolis film on kickstarter from Lomo!

[AgX]

As I tried to indicate in post #2 all speaks against a new film.

 

[removedacct3]

As I tried to indicate in post #2 all speaks against a new film.

Perhaps, perhaps not. Lomography targets millennials who have a desire to be fashionably creative and who are willing to spend a pretty penny to be so. If you think of Lomography as a marketing firm they are absolutely world class. They successfully sell an image, for lack of a better word. Whether or not a film that is pitched as a new film is technically new or just an intentionally miscoated rebadge is not relevant.

 

[Anon Ymous]

+1
I thought someone was doing a remake of Metropolis (1927) ...

Oh, I'm not the only one. I too thought it was about the Fritz Lang film.

 

[AgX]

Perhaps, perhaps not. Lomography targets millennials who have a desire to be fashionably creative and who are willing to spend a pretty penny to be so. If you think of Lomography as a marketing firm they are absolutely world class. They successfully sell an image, for lack of a better word. Whether or not a film that is pitched as a new film is technically new or just an intentionally miscoated rebadge is not relevant.

I did not question them in their marketing abilities but as a manufacturer of a new film.

 

[Michael W]

First we had Instagram filters making digital images look like retro film stocks. Now we have actual films that are designed to give results that look like Instagram filters.

 

[Agulliver]

Probably not a product I'm interest in but I know people who are. My bag is more reproducing scenes as they originally were....whereas others I know prefer to experiment with light and colour. though picking up one in 110 format for sh!ts and giggles has some appeal.

For what it's worth, I am on the Lomography mailing list and I received the following

“Hey there, Lomographer! The community's dedication and passion for our beloved medium has always been our greatest inspiration to our every step. We cannot thank each and everyone enough, but we can make sure to fuel that passion and creativity. So, here's an exciting news: The LomoChrome Metropolis - the first original color negative emulsion in over five years - is finally here! Created from our own film factory, our newest C-41 film brings subdued colors and deep shadows for a nostalgic look reminiscent of vintage photographs even without post-processing or using filters. It'll be available in a wide variety of formats (35 mm, 120, 110, and 16 mm) and has an extended ISO range, making it as versatile as your imagination! Together let's build the new Metropolis. Back us on Kickstarter today to save up to 25% and be the first ones to shoot with this sensational film: "

 

[AgX]

First we had Instagram filters making digital images look like retro film stocks. Now we have actual films that are designed to give results that look like Instagram filters.

That is a good point. The typical public reprensentation of analog material I experience is that of trash.

 

[pentaxuser]

“: The LomoChrome Metropolis - the first original color negative emulsion in over five years - is finally here! Created from our own film factory, our newest C-41 film brings subdued colors and deep shadows for a nostalgic look reminiscent of vintage photographs even without post-processing or using filters. It'll be available in a wide variety of formats (35 mm, 120, 110, and 16 mm) and has an extended ISO range, making it as versatile as your imagination! : "

So a direct reference to "our own film factory" Anyone have any knowledge of where it is and exactly what it does? If Lomography has set up a factory for colour film I wonder what is the absolute minimum in terms of investment and if this is already set up I wonder why it needs a kickstarter campaign?

pentaxuser

 

[Agulliver]

It is rather puzzling "our own film factory". Received wisdom has it that only Fuji and Kodak are making C41 film currently.

My bet is it's relabelled Kentmere....

 

[Team ADOX]

So a direct reference to "our own film factory" Anyone have any knowledge of where it is and exactly what it does? If Lomography has set up a factory for colour film I wonder what is the absolute minimum in terms of investment and if this is already set up I wonder why it needs a kickstarter campaign?

pentaxuser

There are no "hidden, secret" film factories. The existing film factories worldwide are all very well known.
And three of the existing film factories are currently producing color film: Eastman Kodak, Fujifilm, InovisCoat.

 

[wahiba]

It looks as if Lomo have a plant to split rolls and package 35mm, 120, 110 and 16mm. I doubt they are coating rolls of film so the origin does make interesting conjecture. The very recent film about Ilford gives a number of clues to the manufacturing process. Especially those 'coffins' holding the rolls of film between coating and packaging. So the conjecturing about 'duff' rolls from Fuji, Kodak?? is possibly right.

Also the Ilford film indicated they are not avoiding R&D so maybe they had a go at a colour film which while not consistent enough for a major manufacturer is great for Lomo. It actually seems to be an area where non disclosure agreements makes sense.

 

[jim10219]

First we had Instagram filters making digital images look like retro film stocks. Now we have actual films that are designed to give results that look like Instagram filters.

Exactly. That's why I predict this will be a very successful film for them. What's big now in photography is washed out colors with dense blacks. This film does all of that well. It's a response to a demand in the market that was previously unmet. The style itself is a counter to the super-saturated colors that took off several years back with the digital revolution. It's has a stronger "film" look than regular film does.

It's not really my thing, but it was a good decision on their part. And I will probably buy a roll or two to play around with. I do like Lomography's odd films. They're fun to play around with when you're looking for something unique and different. They're not meant to be taken seriously and compared to other films on the market. Think of them like pop music. They're designed to be fun, unique and ephemeral. They're not designed to hold up to scrutiny or stand the test of time. Enjoy it if you can. Hate it if you can't. The more old people that complain about it, the cooler it becomes with the kids.

 

[faberryman]

Enjoy it if you can. Hate it if you can't. The more old people that complain about it, the cooler it becomes with the kids.

Why is a difference of opinion on aesthetics characterized as hate?

 

[Helios 1984]

That is a good point. The typical public reprensentation of analog material I experience is that of trash.

I believe most folks are under the impression that a 4x6 print is as far as analog can go. Also, they see scanned 4x6 prints magnified 5 times which do not help to change this assumption.

 

[AgX]

On tv you I often see moving images that are either old or should indicate the past being send through an S-8 filter that cranks out images of the worst kind. Kind of malexposed, malprocessed, and rubbed over the ground before projection...

 

[Kino]

On tv you I often see moving images that are either old or should indicate the past being send through an S-8 filter that cranks out images of the worst kind. Kind of malexposed, malprocessed, and rubbed over the ground before projection...

The real irony of this is that the majority of these "defects" are the result of expensive plug-ins for digital video editing and grading packages to simulate everything from scratches, to light leaks, to projector weave and simulated deterioration. We have had the total irony of having people complain that our archival footage looks "too good" and then have them spend hours adding in defects to make it "correct" for their purposes.

Ignorance abounds...

 

[patois]

I also wonder where their own factory is and if they are just removing the remjet off some ancient cine stock.

 

[jim10219]

Why is a difference of opinion on aesthetics characterized as hate?

Okay. You got me. I was being a bit hyperbolic. My point is, it's not for everyone, and it doesn't hurt anyone by being in the market. It doesn't directly compete against any existing film, and will likely lure more people into film photography who will eventually become supporters of other films.

 

[Huss]

Taking a reasonable guess: Inoviscoat.

They are contracted by Lomo to make some of their other films. So that is where 'their' factory would be. Nothing wrong in using a facility with the help of people who have the knowledge of how to run it to make an all new film to their specs.

From commenter "Skiff" on rangefinderforum.com:

Do you think it's an all new film?

Yes, because the color rendition is unique. Probably from the same factory which is producing the Lomo Purple and Turquois for Lomo: When Lomo Purple was introduced they published some pictures from inside the factory. And on the machines the name of the factory was printed: InovisCoat (in Germany)

http://www.inoviscoat.de/
That are former Agfa engineers using former Agfa machinery. They build a new factory about a decade ago.
They are also producing the negative film base for Polaroid films and the Bergger Pancro 400

And from casualphotohpile.com:

When contacted by a representative from Lomo regarding coverage of this new film, the first question we asked was if this film truly is a brand new emulsion. Over the past few years the film community has seen numerous supposedly new films hit the market, but these are typically repackaged versions of old expired film, or pre-existing film products not readily available to the end-consumer (they’re business-to-business products for use in surveillance cameras or in the medical or scientific sectors, etcetera). While there’s nothing wrong with these boutique films and we love shooting them, it’s always more exciting when a truly new and unique product comes to market. And LomoChrome Metropolis is in fact a brand new film. Lomo has been developing it for a number of years following the 2014 release of LomoChrome Turquoise.
“The demand for both of our LomoChrome films has been extremely high and we could tell that the film community is eager to try new things and experiment even more,” our contact at Lomography told us. “So we took the risk and time to work on another new emulsion.”

 

[Ariston]

The real irony of this is that the majority of these "defects" are the result of expensive plug-ins for digital video editing and grading packages to simulate everything from scratches, to light leaks, to projector weave and simulated deterioration. We have had the total irony of having people complain that our archival footage looks "too good" and then have them spend hours adding in defects to make it "correct" for their purposes.

Ignorance abounds...

This reminds me of an article I read about how mankind spent centuries learning to make perfectly clear glass, but now people pay extra for poorly made, dingy glass because it is "artisan". Nevertheless, I can not see how a new film, or continuation of a rebranded film, can be bad for me. I try to get any young person into film that I can. I am fully aware that I am not in the "key demographic" for manufacturers. They will not keep making film, if it is only me and others in my age group who buy it. That is reality.

 

[Agulliver]

Anything that keeps the machinery going and the knowledgeable staff employed is good by me. They say that at one point vinyl was saved by the fact that hip-hop DJs demanded it for their work. I am not at all into hip-hop but I thank them for keeping the presses going. If Lomography have helped keep film alive, then good on them and the hipsters who buy and use the stuff. That may be a big part of the reason that we can still enjoy Ektar or Portra.....and the Lomography CN films are actually rather good.

 

[Grim Tuesday]

It looks as if Lomo have a plant to split rolls and package 35mm, 120, 110 and 16mm. I doubt they are coating rolls of film so the origin does make interesting conjecture. The very recent film about Ilford gives a number of clues to the manufacturing process. Especially those 'coffins' holding the rolls of film between coating and packaging. So the conjecturing about 'duff' rolls from Fuji, Kodak?? is possibly right.

Also the Ilford film indicated they are not avoiding R&D so maybe they had a go at a colour film which while not consistent enough for a major manufacturer is great for Lomo. It actually seems to be an area where non disclosure agreements makes sense.

If we're talking about the Ilford R&D gossip it's not actually as juicy as I thought it was when I heard it. I went straight to the source and read one of their earnings reports and their R&D is aimed at getting them away from film. Paraphrased: "Leveraging their knowledge in silver chemistry to apply it to other fields than photographic processes."

 

[chip j]

Looks really good to me! Wish they'ed come out w/ some :creative" B & W films.

 

[noeru]

It just looks like bleach bypass to me and it’s not at all my taste, wish they’d come up with something else. To be honest the only unique colour rendition I’ve ever fallen in love with was polaroid’s SX-70, those wonderful creamy cold colours. I wish they made something like that, unique but subtle. Their lomochrome films have such a strong trademark look they distract from the actual photo and make everyone’s work look the same.

 

[bascom49]

Well this is interesting.
Do you think it's an all new film?

http://newsletter.lomography.com/ap...konzyncotcgdf9u2g/wsctwpxgsodvnaeu5fkdyev9vaa

Anyway, I backed it. Looks fun and interesting. And Lomo is one of those companies that actually delivers on its Kickstarter campaigns!

Thanks for posting, I checked out the kickstarter page and backed it as well.
I really like the Lomography offerings along side the typical films from Kodak and Ilford. I have several of the instax cameras, people really enjoy the images.