Lomo LCA

The Lomo LCA is a fixed focal range 35mm compact camera originally built in Russia in the 1970’s. Production ceased several years ago and then recently started again in China with the LC-A+ model introduced in 2006. The camera has risen in popularity and now has cult like status, often referred to as ‘Lomography’.

The original LC-As were built from rugged metal bodies, based on the previous Cosina CX-2 also made by the Russian firm Lomo. The tough build is maintained in the new LCA+ versions and is incredibly rugged, no nonsense and distinctive if not beautiful!

The real strength of this camera is the Minitar 2.8 32mm lens and the metering system. The combination of these two things makes it a great performer, particularly in low light conditions.

Lomo LCA Specifications:

Lens: 32mm
Aperture: f2.8
Shutter: 1/500 sec to 2m
Format: 35mm
Type: Compact
Focus Modes: Zone
ISO: 25-400
Batteries: 3 x S76
Weight: 250g
Dimensions: 107 x 68 x 44 mm

Using a Lomo LCA

There is a switch that allows you to manually set the aperture (from 2.8, 4, 5.6, 5, 11 to 16) manually or of course the automatic mode. The manual settings are only really useful when using the LCA with a flash (using the hot shoe on the top of the camera). Most of the time we settled for Automatic (A) mode.

The light meter in the LCA is ‘reactive’ in that it changes the exposure time even during the exposure if the lighting in your scene changes. This is one of the reasons why this little camera takes such good pictures.

Focusing a Lomo

Focusing an LC-A is done via a zone system. You simply adjust the zone depending on how far away your subject is (0.8m, 1.5m, 3m or infinity). When using these zones it is crucial to get the distance to your subject right on the first 3 settings in order to achieve a sharp image.

The depth of field (especially at 0.8m) can be very small which is why many LC-A users have been known to carry around a small tape measure with them to ensure their subjects are the exact distance required away from the camera!

In addition to the zone focus controls you can of course adjust the ASA (ISO to you digital photographers). On the original LCA you can go from 24 ASA up to 400, the newer LCA+ models now allow you to go up to 1600.

Lomo LCA Tips

To check the battery on your Lomo LCA simply press the shutter release button halfway and look through the viewfinder. If the batteries are good you should see a red light on the left side of the view finder. If you don’t you know it is time to replace the batteries.

If you want to add some extra colour and saturation to your Lomo shots why not try some cross processing? The most common way is to use colour slide film and get it processed as regular negative film. The results can be unpredictable and stunning but often pleasing like the shot below.

Be sure that your LCA is winding the film on correctly by checking the film winding handle turns when you wind on between shots. If it doesn’t the film may have come off the winding sprockets. Take the camera into a very dark room and carefully open the back if this is the case.

When shooting in low light (particularly indoors) the shutter speeds achieved can be very slow. If you are used to shooting digitally it can be easy to release the shutter button after you hear the first click. Be sure to make a point of holding down the button for a few seconds when shooting, ensuring the exposure is complete before your let go and wind the film on.

When using the LCA in low light conditions you can reduce the risk of motion blur by resting the camera on a solid surface while shooting (the floor, a railing, wall, parked car…anything that is solid and stationary).

Always be sure to check the zone focus before you take a shot. After using a digital camera for so long it can be very easy to keep forgetting to set the right zone and think everything on this camera is automatic!

Lomo LCA Conclusion

If you are looking for an old compact camera that produces consistently sharp images which offers lots of user control then the LCA isn’t for you. However if you are after a great camera, full of nostalgia that is great fun and produces some truly stunning photographs some of the time then the LCA may be what you are looking for. The colors it produces are vivid and strong and once you learn to tame it’s quirks you can create some uniquely stunning images.

Check out the latest prices of Lomo LCAs on Amazon.

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Tagged as: Camera, Film, Review