Testing LomoChrome Classicolor ISO 200: Overexposed, Box Speed & Underexposed
6All photographers agree: light shapes every image. But light is never constant. It shifts, bends, and surprises us. How a film responds to those changes is what truly defines its character, and that’s where latitude comes in.
Each new release sparks the same questions: box speed, over, or under? So when the first rolls of the new LomoChrome Classicolor ISO 200 reached our hands, we were no different. We took them straight outside – one stop down, one stop up, and at box speed, all shot under the same conditions and developed the same way. The results show how versatile this new film is.
Color
Every film has its own ways of translating light into unexpected hues, and when rated at a different ISO than what it was meant for, it tells entirely new stories with color.
At ISO 100, overexposure softens the surface, bringing out warmer tones and a sun-faded, nostalgic glow. At box speed, the white balance appears more neutral and true to life. Colors retain their vibrancy, while the overall scene takes on a calmer tone. Shift to ISO 400 and the same scene grows denser: the sky deepens, shadows encroach, and colors press into darker, more dramatic registers.
Contrast
Each film stock defines the tension between brightness and shadow in its own way. Shift the ISO and that balance tilts, revealing new dimensions of depth and detail. On a bright sunny day like this one, the differences become especially clear.
Overexposing at ISO 100, this handcrafted emulsion recovers subtle color details from the shrubs in the background, though at the cost of slightly blown-out highlights on the subject’s face.
At ISO 200, there's still a subtle presence of the green tones in the background. Midtones come forward, and highlights and shadows fall into a pleasing balance, giving the frame a well-rounded feel.
When underexposed at ISO 400, the opposite occurs: shadows thicken, color and fine detail fades, leaving the overall frame darker and more muted with significant lower contrast. Yet this underexposure also adds its own unique charm. The sky shifts toward a deeper, more unexpected tone that alters the mood of the entire image.
The ISO we choose at the outset quietly sets the stage for everything that follows. Box speed is the safe and sensible baseline, the way a film was designed to be seen. But stepping away from that starting point can lead to results that feel more personal and beautiful, even shaping the style and aesthetic we’re most drawn to.
From here, the choice is ours: rate the film at box speed for balance, overexpose for that dreamy softness, or underexpose for striking intensity. Each route reveals a distinct and intentional outcome.
What’s certain is that the wide latitude of the new LomoChrome Classicolor welcomes all these possibilities, whether you lean towards ethereal brightness, balanced fidelity, or dramatic depth.
Which one resonates with you the most? Pick up a roll of LomoChrome Classicolor ISO 200 and see how it comes to life in your hands.
written by lynnyi on 2025-10-11 #gear #tutorials #overexposed #underexposed #lomochrome #lattitude #classicolor
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