The Lomography LC-A+ is a compact film camera famous for its vignetting effects and unique colors. This model is a reinterpretation of the original Soviet-era LC-A, which is a bonus point for us.
During the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, we started getting lost in time since most days were the same. This was when we decided to go back to the basics of photography and begin exploring film photography.
First, we tried some disposable cameras, but the results could have been better. Later, we started looking for cheap cameras online. This is how we got into the Lomography LC-A+!
But let me talk about the camera before sharing some of my experiences with you.
A bit of the history behind the Lomography LC-A+
The original Lomo LC-A was introduced in 1984 by Leningrad Optics and Mechanics Association, which we know as LOMO. Production lasted for only 10 years, and in the mid-1990s, a group of photography enthusiasts from Vienna persuaded LOMO to restart production. In 2005, the future of the LOMO LC-A seemed uncertain when production at the LOMO factory in St. Petersburg halted.
However, Lomography, a company dedicated to preserving and promoting the LC-A, stepped in and ensured that the camera would continue to be produced in the form of the new and improved LOMO LC-A+.
Lomography LC-A+ was a way to replace the Lomo LC-A when production moved to China. It was first introduced in 2006 and can be found today in three different versions: a regular 35mm, a wide 35mm, and a medium format.
One of the standout features of the LC-A+ is its Minitar-1 lens, which is a 32mm f/2.8 lens. This lens is known for its sharpness and ability to capture vibrant colors.
This new LC-A+ captured the hearts and minds of film photographers worldwide with its familiar feel and look. If you are new to analog photography and a bit lost as to where to start, this can be the camera you’re looking for…
Our experience with the Lomography LC-A+
We bought the Lomography LC-A+ in the Summer of 2022 after some bad experiences buying film cameras online. It felt like we were wasting money trying to buy something valuable and exciting just to see a camera break or malfunction in the middle of a roll of film.
We wanted to feel safe with a film camera that was still being produced, which could be fixed in case anything went wrong. Also, we trust Lomography since everything we ever had from them was built with quality in mind. With this in mind, we decided to visit the Lomography shop and try one of its many available cameras.
The Lomography LC-A+ feels robust and well-built, as we brought it with us on trips to London, Copenhagen, Koli National Park, and Malmö in the last couple of months. Consistently delivering great images with different types of film and light conditions! And our choice was the right one.
For beginners in film photography, this camera can be a safe haven. Most of its features are automatic, which can limit a bit of the creative control photographers like to have. But I say the opposite. Since the camera takes care of aperture and shutter speed, I can take care of framing and making sure this is the picture I really want to take instead of getting lost in features that might slow me down.
Also, this lack of manual control allows for a certain level of chance. This can play a role in the final photo and aligns well with Lomography’s philosophy in the photo book that comes with the camera: Don’t think, just shoot.
The main problem with the camera is something I don’t care about anymore, but it was like a cloud above my head when I started using it. The Lomography LC-A+ is relatively expensive for a simple analog viewfinder camera. But it matches well with the goals I had in mind before I bought it. So, no regrets from my side here.
Overall, the Lomography LC-A+ is a fun and quirky camera that is great for photographers experimenting with film. Its compact size makes it easy to carry around in your pockets, and its Minitar-1 lens can produce beautiful, sharp, vibrant images.
I carry it with me almost everywhere I go, and it always delivers excellent quality pictures, as you can see in the slideshow below that I took from my Flickr account.
If you want a Lomography LC-A+, click the link below and go to the Lomography Shop for one. And remember to check the films they have there since you might find something magical.
