Huss
Veteran
My films should be ready by Monday. I'm really looking forward to the results, but until I get them I don't want to shoot more rolls. In case there is a camera problem! $6/roll + $18 to dev and scan does that to you!
It's interesting that you are still on your first roll, given that it is only 12 shots. Interesting in that it reflects poorly on the camera. Cameras that are a delight to hold and use make you want to go out and find something to shoot, just for the act of using them. I'm feeling the same way about this Lomo. The chintzy feel and horrible shutter release just doesn't make me feel for it. I picked up a Fuji Instax something that I got for free used when I bought some old film, and that weird jelly bean camera feels better, and has a much much nice shutter release. I think it was $60 new.
Anyway, I am really hoping that the results are better than the production!
dwojr
Well-known
Looking forward to seeing your results, with the Lomo as well as with the other cameras.
Yes I agree about the shutter release. I attached the cable release which feels much better.
My lack of shooting also has to do with my choice of film. For some stupid reason I loaded some 100ISO B&W film and that has affected my ability to shoot.
As a side note, a Hasselblad SWC is being sold by a local photographer for $1,000. If only I had unlimited money....
Yes the Instax cameras are quite enjoyable to use. I have several of them that get used regularly. Fun cameras to have around.
nukecoke
⚛Yashica
"View Finder: Direct optical viewfinder"
Wow.
Wow.
DominikDUK
Well-known
Some of the Responses to this thread remind me of the Leica Sl thread and Roger's for the same Money you could buy thread.
It seems that Leica and Lomo have one Thing in common whenever they bring out a new product they are getting criticized for their pricing and we are being reminded that there are other lower cost or better Options.
But in reality there aren't any other choices if I want the look of the Lomo or if I choose a Leica I Chose them for a reason. Yes they are not cheap but in the case of the LC-A 120 it's the only choice that will give me that look.
I have to admit that I am happier with the results from my Toy cameras than with the results I get from my other MF cameras and I feel that the results they gave me is well worth the Price of admition.
It seems that Leica and Lomo have one Thing in common whenever they bring out a new product they are getting criticized for their pricing and we are being reminded that there are other lower cost or better Options.
But in reality there aren't any other choices if I want the look of the Lomo or if I choose a Leica I Chose them for a reason. Yes they are not cheap but in the case of the LC-A 120 it's the only choice that will give me that look.
I have to admit that I am happier with the results from my Toy cameras than with the results I get from my other MF cameras and I feel that the results they gave me is well worth the Price of admition.
Huss
Veteran
To be fair to Leica, one can argue that the steep price is due to the exquisite construction and feel in the hand. I am talking aboutt their film cameras, and the M240+ and S series digital cameras (my old M-E had a not very nice shutter release).
This Lomo LCA-120 is extremely expensive but feels like a toy disposable camera, and on my copy, the leatherette is already peeling off as can be seen in the photo I attached. It is a low quality product but I am hoping the pictures that I get back show an upside. As I have mentioned before, nothing else has these specs.
Huss
Veteran
24 hours to go before I find out if this camera is worth $430 or $4.30...
DominikDUK
Well-known
Huss my critique wasn't directed at your posts which were quiet balanced. Regarding the price I can't fully agree yes it is expensive but compared to a new even not so great MF camera it is still "cheap". Also a new Leica costs nearly 15 times as much and should be at least 10 times as good
Huss
Veteran
Well... the anticipation has led to disappointment. But really, who was I kidding? Did I really expect decent shots from a toy camera? It only seems to be able to get sharpish pictures - in my hands - if the light is really bright. I guess because then the shutter speed is maxed, and the lens stopped down all the way. I say 'in my hands' because a lot of the shots seem to suffer from camera shake. Which would be a result of the beyond lousy shutter release. Combine that with a low/lowish shutter speed (who knows as all you get is a low speed warning, whatever that means and however that is judged - there is no exact explanation in the owner's manual).
It also seems that the focus mechanism is off. It seems to only be able to get sharp images at infinity and with the lens stopped down. But then again, most of my 'infinity' shots were in bright light so maybe camera shake (thank you awesome shutter release) is again at play. I would pace out a bunch of the shots (I measured two paces = 3 feet for me) and something is wrong. Because with a 21mm equivalent lens pretty much everything should be in focus. Must be that camera shake.
The sharpest images I shot, well, that's relative. Viewed at 100% they are still soft. But if you just plan to email/facebook/instagram etc these shots at a small size they would be ok for those who don't know better. Or want this lo-fi look.
Is this camera worth $430? Obviously not. Would I take this camera for free? No. Cuz here's the thing, if I take lousy pics I want it to be my fault. I want to be the one that screwed up the exposure, the focus, didn't hold the camera right etc. This Lomo - maybe this one is a bad example and others are better - takes that away from you. If you get a 'good' shot, it's because there was a happy coincidence of the above factors not coming into play.
I also wouldn't take this camera for free because 120 film and processing is not free. It's pricey so if you are going to do it, do it right.
First shot below was taken a few days ago with my cheaper than the Lomo Mamiya 645. To show that I can expose and focus a shot! And to show what 120 film results should look like.
Yeah, no other camera has the specs that the Lomo has. But what matters are not the specs but the results.
It also seems that the focus mechanism is off. It seems to only be able to get sharp images at infinity and with the lens stopped down. But then again, most of my 'infinity' shots were in bright light so maybe camera shake (thank you awesome shutter release) is again at play. I would pace out a bunch of the shots (I measured two paces = 3 feet for me) and something is wrong. Because with a 21mm equivalent lens pretty much everything should be in focus. Must be that camera shake.
The sharpest images I shot, well, that's relative. Viewed at 100% they are still soft. But if you just plan to email/facebook/instagram etc these shots at a small size they would be ok for those who don't know better. Or want this lo-fi look.
Is this camera worth $430? Obviously not. Would I take this camera for free? No. Cuz here's the thing, if I take lousy pics I want it to be my fault. I want to be the one that screwed up the exposure, the focus, didn't hold the camera right etc. This Lomo - maybe this one is a bad example and others are better - takes that away from you. If you get a 'good' shot, it's because there was a happy coincidence of the above factors not coming into play.
I also wouldn't take this camera for free because 120 film and processing is not free. It's pricey so if you are going to do it, do it right.
First shot below was taken a few days ago with my cheaper than the Lomo Mamiya 645. To show that I can expose and focus a shot! And to show what 120 film results should look like.
Yeah, no other camera has the specs that the Lomo has. But what matters are not the specs but the results.
Huss
Veteran
Not taken with a Lomo:
Taken with a Lomo 120:
(some of the colour ones were taken in San Pedro)
Taken with a Lomo 120:
(some of the colour ones were taken in San Pedro)
Huss
Veteran
Huss
Veteran
Huss
Veteran
Huss
Veteran
Final thoughts. The colour shots came out better than the B&W shots. I think because the colour film was ISO 400 while the B&W was ISO 125, but rated at 100 as the Lomo only reads in full values (100, 200, 400 etc).
I'd only shoot 400 speed or faster film with this camera, unless you want a whole lotta shakin' goin' on.
I'd only shoot 400 speed or faster film with this camera, unless you want a whole lotta shakin' goin' on.
f16sunshine
Moderator
I like the images. Some of them quite a bit
You sound disapointed but,... these are exactly the type of results I thought we might see from this camera.
FWIW, I always like color images from the holga better than my B+W's.
You got some nice B+Ws though. Creepy Mustache man is a great candid.
Good stuff.
You sound disapointed but,... these are exactly the type of results I thought we might see from this camera.
FWIW, I always like color images from the holga better than my B+W's.
You got some nice B+Ws though. Creepy Mustache man is a great candid.
Good stuff.
Huss
Veteran
I like the images. Some of them quite a bit
You sound disapointed but,... these are exactly the type of results I thought we might see from this camera.
FWIW, I always like color images from the holga better than my B+W's.
You got some nice B+Ws though. Creepy Mustache man is a great candid.
Good stuff.
Thanks, but I am disappointed because they could have been so much better if only the camera had a better shutter release. The one it has pretty much guarantees camera shake at lower speeds. IMO it's unacceptable if the camera was $50. The Lomo Horizon Perfekt that I used at the same time (still waiting to get those pics back) costs less and has a much better shutter release. It also seems to be much better made (Russia vs China). Then again, I haven't seen the results from that one yet!
Huss
Veteran
dwojr
Well-known
Thanks for sharing your pics. Good work. I prefer the color ones as well.
I think the camera shake would be lessened through use of the cable release. It is hard to keep the camera still when pressing the shutter button. Did yours include the cable release? Maybe the release was included because they know the shutter button is not very smooth.
I need to send my rolls off to be developed. I shot one roll of B&W 100 and another roll of color 800 accidentally shot at 100. Currently I have 800 loaded with the ISO dial set correctly this time.
I think the camera shake would be lessened through use of the cable release. It is hard to keep the camera still when pressing the shutter button. Did yours include the cable release? Maybe the release was included because they know the shutter button is not very smooth.
I need to send my rolls off to be developed. I shot one roll of B&W 100 and another roll of color 800 accidentally shot at 100. Currently I have 800 loaded with the ISO dial set correctly this time.
Huss
Veteran
Yeah, but the cable release would need use of a tripod. These were mostly daytime active shots at an event .And it would be interesting to see if using the cable release would cause the camera to shake, as it still has to fight through that same shutter release.
p.s. I would be very interested to see the results from the 800 film, as that would facilitate the use of higher shutter speeds.
dwojr
Well-known
I regularly use a cable release on my Holga without a tripod. I've been doing the same with the LCA 120 as well but not consistently. I will try and use it more now that I see that it is necessary.
Wow, I wanted to like this camera, but the shutter release is one of the more important parts of a camera to me...since it is what we push!