Color slide film · Discontinued

Foma Fomachrom RD 21

Foma Fomachrom RD 21 is a color slide film rated at ISO 100, developed in E-6. Below: specs, an exposure guide and similar stocks.

ISO 100E-6Discontinued135-36120
ISO 100
Box speed
Color slide
Type
E-6
Process
Discontinued
Status
1989–1992
Years made

Film specifications#

Manufacturer
Foma
Film
Fomachrom RD 21
Speed
100
Process
E-6
Formats
135-36, 120
Base
Triacetate
Made in
Czechoslovakia
Status
Discontinued

Character & history#

First Fomachrom film made for E-6 process. Balanced for daylight. It had to go four times through the coating machine in order to coat 7-8 layers onto the film base.

Description adapted from Wikipedia’s “List of discontinued photographic films” (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Exposure guide at ISO 100#

Sunny 16 for this film: f/16 at 1/100 s in bright sun. Negative film tolerates 2–3 stops of overexposure; slide film needs accuracy within about ⅓–½ stop.

Lightf/2f/4f/8f/16
EV 16 · Snow / beach, bright sun——1/1000 s1/250 s
EV 15 · Bright sun—1/2000 s1/500 s1/125 s
EV 14 · Hazy sun—1/1000 s1/250 s1/60 s
EV 13 · Cloudy-bright1/2000 s1/500 s1/125 s1/30 s
EV 12 · Overcast / open shade1/1000 s1/250 s1/60 s1/15 s
EV 10 · Sunset1/250 s1/60 s1/15 s1/4 s
EV 8 · Bright interior1/60 s1/15 s1/4 s1 s
EV 5 · Home interior at night1/8 s0.5 s2 s8 s
EV 3 · City street at night0.5 s2 s8 s30 s
Developing E-6: Colour reversal (slide) chemistry. Fewer labs run E-6 today; it can be cross-processed in C-41 for saturated, contrasty colours.

Long exposures#

Most films suffer reciprocity failure beyond about 1 second: they need more exposure than the meter says. As a rule of thumb add ⅓–1 stop for 1–10 s and 1–2 stops beyond 10 s for older emulsions; modern T-grain films (and Fuji Acros) need much less. Check the manufacturer's datasheet.

More Foma films#

Frequently asked questions#

What ISO is Foma Fomachrom RD 21?

100 — set your meter to ISO 100 for box speed.

Is Foma Fomachrom RD 21 still made?

No, it has been discontinued (1989–1992).

How do I develop Foma Fomachrom RD 21?

E-6 process. Colour reversal (slide) chemistry. Fewer labs run E-6 today; it can be cross-processed in C-41 for saturated, contrasty colours.

Is Foma Fomachrom RD 21 available in 35mm?

Yes — formats: 135-36, 120.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources