Small in size, not obstrusive. Fast and decent glass lens.

Need to practice estimating distance: 0.8m 1.5m 3m or infinity? The price should be $50

The Lomo LC-A is a well designed, simple to use camera. Quick to shoot since there is no auto focusing, just need to set the distance manually which can be done very quickly. I think this is the ultimate snapshot camera, easy and fun to take pictures with. Everybody smiles when they see such a funny looking camera. Remember to choose a saturated color film for the lomo, the pictures will have a very interesting look.

Customer Service

Very good

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Leica Minilux

Unique Russian camera, metal case, different, cult following.

Unpredicable results with often blurry pictures. Expensive when purchased new. A bit awkard in shape. Non standard batteries are difficult to find. Over-hyped. Very tiny viewfinder. No power wind. No flash.

The Lomo LC-A camera has quite a cult following. I guess you should try one out for yourself to see if you like it. I did and have since replaced mine with an Olympus Stylus Epic.

The Lomo takes some unique pictures which often have a glassy-like quality with saturated colors and sometimes blurry images. It also tends to vignette at the edges quite a bit. That's the 'Lomo look'. Since there is no flash, you have to press the shutter button down and hold it down until the camera gathers enough light for an exposure and closes the shutter. In low light situations, this proves difficult since it is hard to hold the camera steady for the necessary second or two. The result in low to medium light situations is often a blurry image. Most 'Lomographers' as Lomo users/fans are often referred to, like these unpredictable blurry-type images because they can at times be cool looking and different.

One thing you have to give credit to Lomographers for is their work ethic. The Lomo ethic is to shoot snapshots everywhere and anywhere. Just carry the small camera everywhere you go and shoot shoot shoot! I agree with this ethic and anything that get's people out there, taking more pictures is a good thing. However, you can practice this ethic with just about any other point and shoot camera! And, you will often achieve better, sharper results with another camera.

I question whether the images with the Lomo are enough different to merit owning one. Yes, the Lomo can sometimes provide a unique looking picture but, you often can obtain the same blurry-type images with many point and shoot cameras by simply turning off the flash in low light situations.Furthermore, my Olympus Stylus Epic is much smaller than the Lomo (it fits fine in the front jeans pocket!) so it truly goes with me everywhere. I find that my Lomo is a bit awkward and bulky and therefore it stays home.

I guess you just have to decide for yourself. If you want convenience and versatility, and sharpness, go with another camera like the Olympus or Yashica, etc.. But if you are looking for a bit of an artsy, glassy, blurry look, than the Lomo is it!

I personally like the fact that I can obtain a Lomo-like image with my Olympus if I want it, yet other images taken with my Olympus can look very sharp and professional, like they were done with my Nikon! The Lomo images usually look amateur, grass roots, gen-x and blurry no matter what.

At full retail price, I don't feel the Lomo is a good value. They are marked up and over-hyped quite heavily by the company (run out of Austria, I believe).

Customer Service

Have not had to use.

Similar Products Used:

Olympus Stylus Epic, Yashica T-4 Super, Fuji Mini Super DL

No. Or all... It depends on what you want!

Many. Or none...

Yes, it´s a cult camera, yes it´s overpriced. Yet, it takes some historical (hysterical?) pictures. It remembers me of those photos my mum took with a camera looking like a box! Vignettes, YES! But it takes the meaning in from many pictures. In the middle the photo is a little brighter and fading out to the corners. Indoor pictures in B&W are absolutely faboulus! I like it a lot, but it can´t replace any other camera...

Customer Service

Not needed (a screwdriver comes together with the camera, so I will repair mine by myself???

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The most in high end compact cathegory. LOMO is VERY special in comparasion!

Novelty camera: fits in your pocket, has retro features like manual winding, has a unique industrial/oil smell to it that is not unpleasant. Every once in a while, the Lomo provides you with a spectacular, unique photograph.

Incredibly unpredictable. Sometimes gorgeous (I shot black and white in a snowstorm, and the results were shockingly good), very often blurry (to be expected, but to a point), and often just plain dull (the last three rolls I shot on it, in bright sunlight no less, were simply crummy).

Camera is way too expensive for what it provides.

It's kind of fun to have. If you like the anxiety that comes with having absolutely no idea what your pictures are going to look like, then this is for you. If you want to preserve special moments, use ANYTHING else. And by all means, try to buy one used. Now that the trend has died down somewhat, they are easy to come by cheap. The Lomo is fun in its way, but the bottom line is, it's a toy.

Customer Service

There's customer service? How can you tell when it's not taking pictures properly?

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This was my first point and shoot camera.

Unique lens quality

Focussing system
Fragile
Overpriced

This camera is not intended to replace a standard compact. The Lomo should be used as a separate creative tool. The clumsy focussing mechanism will ensure plenty of 'happy accidents' and the lack of a flash merely increases the creative potential. The lens deserves a mention because it does posses a unique quality that is not normally found in Japanese compacts. Sure, it vignettes, but it also seems to saturate the colours and lends the images a distinct character. However, as one of the other reviewers mentioned, don't use this camera to shoot a once in a lifetime event!

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Olympus RC

lens, lens, lens
size and retro russian design

none that i am aware of!

The camera was recommended to me by a friend who is professional fashion photographer. I got it over the lomo.com website and ever since the day I received it I am in looove.
simply gorgeous and very easy to handle, you can get the smartest sharpest images and the most beautiful blur, depending on how crisp and clean or sloppy and chilled you are viewing the world that day.
small enough to fit in any pocket and sturdy to carry it in your bag all the time and most importantly it is not big and right in everyones face, some people do not even think you are taking a picture of them 'cause they do not take you seriously with this camera, simply perfect!

Customer Service

great, friendly and efficient
very interesting membership background, check out the competitions and parties all over the world!

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minox

absolute fabulous light strong lens, automatic lightmeter setting, that enables you to take exposures of more than ONE minute!!!! try to find that for $ 150.00 anywhere!!!! You will not!!!!

screws get loose very easy, but you can simply glue them in the holes, the lomo kompact automat needs care and wants to be used all the time

I am using this camera since over 7 years, nothing else interests me anymore. Of course there are other great cameras out there but either they are way more expensive than this one ( I am sorry gals and guys but which decent camera can you get for $ 150.00????)or they have features such as autofocus and automatic flash settings that ruin any spontaneous snapshot photography!
The lomo lens is fabulous, super light strong and cristal clear, the light meter is one fine feature!
I think that the Lomographic Society International is doing a great job in promoting this fun and spontaneous approach towards photography.
Finally we are challenged to only please ourselves and do not have to obey classic photography standards anymore.
check out their website, www.lomo.com, and all the fun stuff you can participate in, i am a big fan.

Customer Service

Their customer service rocks! 1877 312 LOMO, I once had problems with another one of their cameras, the Action Sampler, called there, very friendly lady solved my problem immediately!
no big company hazzle hold for hours and then do not know more struggle but a friendly voice and immediate assistance!
this si what i call customer service!

small, easy to use, unpredictable, sturdy and reliable

Lomo hype
consumes most of my free time and server space

The Lomo LC-A is not a camera for people who want to take "pictures". It's not a camera for those who don't like the unexpected.

The Lomo LC-A is capable of producing incredible images in every lighting situation. The aperture will remain open as long as it deems necessary in the Auto mode. In low light, the result is simply awesome.

The Lomo brought me back into photography after a few years of neglect. It's free form allows for a different style of photography, which has reactivated the leftside of my brain. The camera is easy to use, exciting to use and fun, dammit.

Ignore the hype found on the Lomo site. Just buy a Lomo, checkout Lomo.org, or www.peculiarplanet.com (gratuitous plug!) and see for yourself. I have found that Lomographers are an exceptionally creative group, who tend to frequent pubs and bars rather frequently, just check out their lomographs.

Customer Service

never had to use it

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Action Sampler
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Werra 1
Agfa Optima
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must I go on?

The typical draws of a metal, automatic compact camera with a sharp glass lens...

However, as I got aquainted with the Lomo, I realized that it has an additional strength: it provides the vehicle to shift your perspective, at least a little. After shooting several rolls with the Lomo, and relishing the ways it "interpreted" light, depth and shadows, I truly learned to appreciate the meaning of the word "see" as opposed to "look at".

Overhype by Lomo.com. Several people expect it to just autonomically generate artsy, quirky award-winning shots from roll 1. This takes time, some practice, burning through a few rolls, and getting a hang for it.

Some people report problems with the camera, mechanically, but I surmiose this is due to rough handling, etc. I've never had a single problem at all with my much older model.

Avoid the hype. Go read up on the BBS at Lomo.org and see if its for you- so many nice people there will deal straightly with you.

Even at $100+, its been a good value, lots of fun, and a definite pulse of excitement in my previously photographically-jaded mind. Its a fun camera, that produces shtos from normal to the kind that make you stop and say "woah!".

Customer Service

Several fellow Lomographers report good experience with the cabal at Lomo.com.., some report some delay, etc, but Customer Service definitely exists and is easily accessable. Lomo.org cuts through hte hype and offers several knowledgeable Lomo-fiends on its BBS.

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Numerous point-and-shoots and various SLRs. However, as the Lomo is quite obviously unique, its not altogehter comparable to other cameras in its category.

Artsy little camera.
Very good saturation.
Compact, fits in your shirt pocket.
No flash, so you can do all sorts of ghostly images.
For a small camera, the shutter opens for as long as it can to get the right exposure, all automatic.

Quality issue.

Even if the camera starts to fall apart on its own, I will immediately buy another. And if that one falls apart, I'll buy another one... This camera is that addicting, once you used it, you'll never go back to your old p&s.

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