Jocko said:
I'm afraid it is, within limits. A few years ago the BBC ran a wildly uncritical documentary about lomographics. The latter had actually filmed their interview with Putin and it was shown in part.
From what I recall (I was busy pointing at the screen and ranting for much of the programme) , the Lomographics founders depicted themselves as just a freewheelin' band o' karefree krazy kids from a Scooby Doo cartoon. Putin appeared to know nothing whatsoever about the camera and to care even less, but jerked into the brief enthusiasm that gets visitors out of a politician's office. I believe they got some sort of discount on export taxes, or something similar.
I too remember when the Lomo was £20.00 new (I seem to recall that they were £19.70 from good old Global Cameras of Harrow, "specialists in Soviet equipment since 1961") . In 86-87 Amateur Photographer were inexplicably keen on them. I borrowed a Lomo on the strength of such an article and was deeply unimpressed. The subsequent hype has only made things worse 🙂
For my money, the real unsung gem amongst Soviet compacts is the FED 50!
Cheers, Ian
While I previously had great respect for BBC I don't have anhymore (Iraq, Afganistan, Northern Ireland etc. etc.) Generally speaking, they are flock of liers. And this story, I still believe, is only party true. If at all.
To export anything out of Russia you need an export licence and you have to pay a hefty export fee/tariff. If you can get an export licence of, say crude oil, and get off with a low export tariff you will end up owning british football club. There is no way that Vladimir Putin, in capacity of deputy governor of St.Petersburg could have granted anyone such privileges. Sorry, BBC, but this is bull. If Putin tells you so on TV is he bragging. At best, he could send a christmass card to the officials with this power, in Moscow.
At that time, late 90', the oligarchs were flocking around president Yeltsin at his tennis court trying to get his signature for export licenses for just anything from precious metals, oil, timber, machinery, weapons etc. etc. The handing down of that sort of privileges sat that high. Most likely the lack of business potential of the LOMO cameras - compared to shiploads of nickel, uranium, oil and timber, such a desicion would have been made at a lower level. Still that would be guys at departments in Moscow, corrupt officials very consious of their power. Having the deputy governor of a city deciding import tariffs of cameras would be as if a 'deputy major of Manchester' would decide that britain should pull out of Iraq. (- Which would be fine.).
Vladimir Putin is a very powerful man today. Back then he was a 'survivor' in a environment where all his political rivals were shot in doorways. He was keeping his head down. I regard him as a 'compromise candidate' between strong forces in Russia; the military, the oligachs and the secret services. A destiny he shares with Gordon Brown..? Vladimir Putin has managed to stand up to the powerful oligarchs - gangsters really, and have the most notorious put in jail. The rest of them are living happily in britain. Here they are portrayed as good citizens while Vladimir Putin as a murder. Which he is, ofcause. Just like the war criminals Gordon Brown and Tony Blair.
I think BBC is gravely underestimating and misunderstanding the structure of decision processes of Russia. Or trying to willify people. Russia is quite similar to the Britian in many ways. Unfortunately.
Further; I would guess that the reason for that the LOMO camera is made in China today is due to that the russian export licence fee & tariff is all to high and making this camera rediculously expensive to have them made in Russia and exported from there. Just like russian cars, that is far better than their reputation today.
