LomographyLomoChrome Metropolis

LomoChrome Metropolis is a Lomography color negative film for standard C-41 processing, sold as ISO 100–400 in 35 mm, 120 and 110 [1]. Lomography describes it as the color-shifting master of muted tones and popping contrast [1]. Its palette is desaturated and its contrast high; it was funded through a 2019 Kickstarter campaign [3] [4].

Look and color

Lomography publishes no measurements, only a Film Guide with a color comparison image against a regular Lomography 100 negative. The descriptions below combine that guide with reviews, and they do not always agree.

• Muted color is the point. Lomography says to go “deep and dark in the shade” and “desaturated and dreamlike in the sunshine” [1]. On the guide’s comparison image, every patch looks duller than on the reference negative; the red is the strongest and the yellow the palest. That is a reading by eye, not a measurement. Reviewers agree on the low saturation: “desaturated colours” [3], and even at ISO 400 it “does not look as saturated as your usual daylight films” [5].
• Yellows suffer most. Richard Haw found the yellows subdued, with reds and greens affected less [5]. He also found the sky unattractive [5].
• Reds hold up. Lomography says the film “loves red tones” and suggests adding a splash of red to the frame [1].
• The color cast: the sources disagree.
  • Green: Analog.cafe calls the developed film distinctly green [3], and Shoot It With Film notes a strong green bias [6].
  • Warm: Emulsive saw a yellow tint, “almost sepia” at ISO 400 [4].
  • Lomography does not mention a cast [1]. The scan can change a cast, so part of the disagreement may come from scanning.
• Skin is also disputed. Analog.cafe finds it “remarkably well-balanced” [3]. Haw found it bluish in direct sun, better in shade, and slightly better when underexposed [5].
• The rating changes the look. Emulsive found ISO 100 faded and sepia-like, ISO 200 a good middle ground and ISO 400 grungier and more desaturated [4].
• Weather. Shoot It With Film found it keeps more color in high sun and turns washed out on cloudy days [6].

Tonality

• No published curve. The Film Guide has no characteristic curve [1].
• High contrast. Lomography’s words are “popping contrast” [1]. Reviewers use “high contrast” [3] and “rich blacks and whites” [6]. Emulsive also found “good contrast” and deep blacks [4].
• Shadows. Lomography mentions “saturated shadows” [1] and suggests a fill flash, even outdoors, to open them up [1].
• Latitude. Haw calls it forgiving of exposure, with acceptable results even when heavily overexposed [5].
• Push and pull. According to the Film Guide, pushing (underexposing, then developing longer) raises contrast and grain, and pulling does the opposite. Because of the ISO 100–400 range, the pushed effect shows from ISO 800 to 1600 and the pulled effect at ISO 50 [1].

Grain and sharpness

No granularity figure is published [1].

• Manufacturer and reviews disagree. The Film Guide describes a “fine cine-style grain structure” [1], and Emulsive also found the grain fine [4]. Analog.cafe reports “severe grain” [3]. Haw calls it chunky, “almost like” ISO 400 black and white film, with limited sharpness [5]. Shoot It With Film saw substantial grain even in 120 [6].
• Sharpness. Analog.cafe found the contrast and sharpness high [3], while Haw found detail resolution limited [5].

Names, status and history

• 2019 launch. Lomography funded the film through a Kickstarter campaign in 2019 and, according to Emulsive, shipped two months ahead of schedule, in December 2019 [4]. Analog.cafe presents it as a new emulsion rather than a repackaged stock [3].
• Names. Reviews call it “LomoChrome Metropolis XR 100–400”, the extended-range name [3] [4]. A limited “Tokyo Edition” in a metal tin was made with Kitamura Camera; Haw suspects it is the standard stock in special packaging [5].
• Formats. The Film Guide lists 35 mm, 120 and 110 [1]. Analog.cafe notes that 35 mm canisters have no DX code [3].
• Current version. Lomography’s shop lists a “2021 LomoChrome Metropolis” in 35 mm, ISO 100–400 [2]. We could not find what differs from the 2019 version.
• Status. On September 30, 2026, the 2021 35 mm version was listed by Lomography [2].

Also sold as

• LomoChrome Metropolis XR 100–400 (confirmed) [4]