thinking of buying a lomo

[heshanj]

hey guys.. posting here after a long time
been shooting with my dslr for about a year now - n lately, ive found interest in film photography. thinking of looking into a rangefinder later on, but til then i thought of checking out lomography. i had basically decided on the lomo lc-a+ but today i came across the refurbished original lc-a, which was cheaper, and also comes with the same warranty, from the lomography shop.

im trying to work out the differences, n i know that the lc-a+ has the extended ISO, cable release/tripod thread and double exposure feature, which the original lc-a does not have.
however, if the lc-a is a better quality camera with a better lens (russian made), i can live without these additional features. but after a lot of searching today, i cant find the exact difference in focusing and metering (exposure modes). so the following questions:

1. do both have the same focusing? coz i read somewhere that the original lc-a has manual focusing while the lc-a+ has zone focusing - another site said they both use zone focusing. so im not sure bout this.

2. does the original lc-a have manual exposure mode? coz i read somewhere that it does, but i read in other places that it has 'program auto' and aperture priority (with no mention of manual exposure) - and i know for sure that the lc-a+ has only auto exposure.

3. any suggestions if i should get the new lc-a+ or a refurbished lc-a original? i hear the build quality is better on the original, although it doesnt have some features. im also wondering if a lot of lomo photos are taken using manual exposure (im guessing not, but not sure). i know they say that the choice always depends on the photographer, but im just new into this and just looking to explore different areas of photography, so i'd appreciate suggestions from people who know more than me especially if u own either one, or both!

thanks for ur time reading this! hope to hear response soon cheers

 

[nstclicks]

Get a vintage camera instead. Look around Salvation Army for cheap plastic toy cameras, or get one from ebay. Even after shipping it'll be cheaper than a Lomo and of better quality.

 

[havokex]

I've heard alot of bad stuff about the lca+ and how it breaks apart easily. If I were you, I would get the original LC-A. Its more sturdy and cheaper if you get it 2nd hand. About $250 for one that is in excellent condition. I used to want an LC-A but the price turned me off and I got over that phase in my life. Haha. I tried alot of lomo cameras and none comes close to the type of picture that the LC-A produces, maybe the CX-1 and CX-2 might. I tried rangefinders too. Get a Bessa, its worth the money. Most of the other cheaper RFs fall apart easily and the price of Leicas can actually buy a family in Africa a few cows that can last them a few generations. =D I hope this helps.

 

[havokex]

Get a vintage camera instead. Look around Salvation Army for cheap plastic toy cameras, or get one from ebay. Even after shipping it'll be cheaper than a Lomo and of better quality.

Thats what I thought. I always thought 'LC-A is so overpriced, I dont want to waste my money'. But after trying out so many cameras (about 10 or 11) in a span of about 6 months. I've come to realise that the type of pics the LC-A takes cannot be attained with ANY other camera. Dont expect anything from salvation army unless you want to camp there for some time until something good comes along. I agree with you on ebay. Its wayyy cheaper on ebay. But the shipping can take awhile. but still ALOT cheaper. Lomos and RFs in Singapore seem so overpriced when you compare with ebay....

 

[heshanj]

thanks for the response yeah, im definitely looking at a rangefinder later on.. if not a vintage one, probably a viogtlander bessa - however, im definitely looking for a lomo, and i'd probably stick to a lomo product, i.e. the lc-a or the lc-a+ . so still tryign to decide between the two, and clarify the difference between the two, apart from the obvious new features of the +

im starting to lean towards the original lc-a now. if anyone else has opinions or more info on the difference between the two, apart from the build quality and the obvious new features of the lc-a+, please let me know.. much appreciated.. cheers

EDIT: i saw a couple of ebay listings for a 'brand new LC-A' -

ebay listing 1
ebay listing 2

wat are these, are they refurbished or something? one talks about it being an slr camera.. sounds a bit dodgy

 

[frametology]

you can consider an olympus XA or XA2, they're a lot cheaper than the LC-A.

i've got two XA2s and a XA, but i'm considering getting a LC-A (i want the instant back thingy)

anyway, between the LC-A and the LC-A+, i'd probably choose the LC-A cause it's cheaper, better and more genuine.

however, this also depends on the condition of the camera (it's almost 20+ years old already)

i've seen many listings for the LC-A on ebay. has anyone here bought from any of them (those located in russia)?

thanks!

 

[Tay]

You won't regret getting the LCA. You will love it.

 

[havokex]

EDIT: i saw a couple of ebay listings for a 'brand new LC-A' -

ebay listing 1
ebay listing 2

wat are these, are they refurbished or something? one talks about it being an slr camera.. sounds a bit dodgy

If youre worried then just buy from a local. There's somebody selling an LC-A at the Buy n Sell forums right now. At $230. Almost the same price if you compare to those two you found on ebay.

 

[heshanj]

nah, its not that im just worried, i buy lot of stuff on ebay generally but.. since there's no brand new LC-A, im wondering wat the product is. refurbished? the lomography site also has the refurbished original, but although thats more expensive (than ebay), its probably in better condition? not sure if it ships to asia though. asian lomography shop doesnt have it.

and again, anyone on the differences between the new and original lomo? thanks

 

[havokex]

I think the lca+ also has the capability to do multiple exposures easily. The original one still can make multiple exposures. But it is more troublesome unless you mod it.

 

[ndroo]

There is also a Russian lens version of the LCA+. I sold off my LCA and switched to a LCA+ ... because of the capability to use the wide lens with it. Also, there is the Instax back for it which works great with the LCA+. On an old LCA, it is pretty hell trying to **** the shutter with Instax back on. The old LCA does feel nicer and bit more solid but I've heard horror stories of 'new' old LCAs giving up the ghost not long after purchase. Problem is there ain't no warranty. If you can find one with warranty ... it is of course a safer choice. It's very hard to really tell you which one to go for. Look for what you need. If you ain't gonna get any accessories (for LCA+) ... then you sure can consider an old LCA.

 

[ndroo]

I think the lca+ also has the capability to do multiple exposures easily. The original one still can make multiple exposures. But it is more troublesome unless you mod it.

I do agree about the LCA+ being good for double exposures ... at least it is really easy to do it. For the old/original LCAs ... you don't have to mod it. Just press the rewind button at the bottom and advance to the next frame ... then take the next exposure.

 

[heshanj]

yeah, one of the new features advertised on the lomography site is the double exposure feature.. i didnt know its that easily done on the old LC-A too...

and yes, im really starting to think of getting the original LC-A - the russian lens LC-A+ sounds interesting too... how do i identify one of those? dont seem to find one like so on ebay.. but yes, i agree with buying the original LC-A, warranty is an issue. i wish the lomo shop asia sold the refurbished LC-A but it doesnt.

apart from the wide angle lens and instant back (two accessories i can live without), wat other accessories are available for the lc-a+? flash? can that flash be used on original lc-a?

will search for the russian lens lc-a+ too.. thanks for the responses!

 

[ndroo]

yeah, one of the new features advertised on the lomography site is the double exposure feature.. i didnt know its that easily done on the old LC-A too...

and yes, im really starting to think of getting the original LC-A - the russian lens LC-A+ sounds interesting too... how do i identify one of those? dont seem to find one like so on ebay.. but yes, i agree with buying the original LC-A, warranty is an issue. i wish the lomo shop asia sold the refurbished LC-A but it doesnt.

apart from the wide angle lens and instant back (two accessories i can live without), wat other accessories are available for the lc-a+? flash? can that flash be used on original lc-a?

will search for the russian lens lc-a+ too.. thanks for the responses!

The Russian lens version of the LCA+ will have the 'RL' indicated in the model. Apart from the 2 accessories, I think there is the Splitzer. The flash can be used on both old and new LCA.

 

[heshanj]

The Russian lens version of the LCA+ will have the 'RL' indicated in the model. Apart from the 2 accessories, I think there is the Splitzer. The flash can be used on both old and new LCA.

thanks for the help. i can now keep looking with more knowledge as i can do without the accessories, i'll probably look for the LC-A or maybe the LC-A+ RL

 

[Muckafutha]

LCA has iso settings in GOST or ASA....
and can use slower speed films. LCA+ slowest is 100

 

[1megapixel]

yeap! the original is the Lomo LC-A and the more ancient kind is called the Lomo LC-A, Cyrillic version: Nomo nk-a. the ancestors of Lc-a are the Cosina cx-1 and 2. The nomo feels like a brick to me and can smash any baddies head.. and the nomo has gost iso value. my nomo is oso modded for multiple exp! =D :thumbsup: i bought quite a number of lc-a wannabe such as agfa 505-d(digital) & XAs none gave a feeling like the lc-a. :heart: follow your heart :embrass:

 

[heshanj]

thanks for the further info guys appreciate it. im definitely on the hunt for an original LC-A now, or maybe the LC-A+ RL. for the guys who own the original, wats the focusing like? is it the same as the LC-A+ ? coz i read somewhere that focusing is manual? is that true?

 

[ndroo]

thanks for the further info guys appreciate it. im definitely on the hunt for an original LC-A now, or maybe the LC-A+ RL. for the guys who own the original, wats the focusing like? is it the same as the LC-A+ ? coz i read somewhere that focusing is manual? is that true?

Since when there is auto focus for any LCA? Anyway, both the old and new LCAs are manual focus or rather ... range focusing. You estimate the distance and set the distance accordingly.

 

[1megapixel]

Anyway, both the old and new LCAs are manual focus or rather ... range focusing. You estimate the distance and set the distance accordingly.

oso known as zone focusing xD:thumbsup:
if u wanna use ur eyes to set the focusing thru the viewfinder using the focusing patch like the leica or the yashica rangefinders, u can get a XA. the original. cuz xa2 xa1 xa3 xa4 oso uses zone focus. :bsmilie: