Faaabii's First Impressions of the Minitar-1 Art Lens

Faaabii took the Minitar-1 Art Lens on a trip through the city of Stuttgart and tested it with his analog and digital camera. In this review he describes his experience and shows his first results!

I still remember how excited I was, as I’d heard of the Minitar-1 Art Lens for the first time. On the one hand was the look of my beloved LC-A cameras and on the other hand my rangefinder darling, the Voigtländer Bessa R2-M; and now a single lens would unite both of them. It was only a question of time until I finally made up my mind and pre-ordered the Minitar-1.

Finally the time had come and the Lomography package was in front of me. The packaging was elaborate and designed so meticulously that it was a lot of fun unpacking the lens. My first impression – oh man, it’s tiny!

My adapter for the Olympus OM-D arrived a few weeks later and so I tried the Minitar-1 on my Bessa first. Together we visited the CSD in Stuttgart.

Credits: faaabii

Thanks to the focal length of 32mm I could orient myself towards the preset 35mm illuminated frame of my Bessa’s viewfinder. I was already excited if, and how I would cope with focusing with a lever instead the usual “twisting.” I have to admit, it is different – yes, in the beginning even a bit weird – but you easily find your way and by now I say that I can find the aperture lever as well as the focus lever blindly, with my eye on the viewfinder.

When I am on the road with the Minitar-1 and the Bessa I set myself a constant exposure time and choose the aperture while focusing with the light meter of my Bessa in the viewfinder. This may sound a bit complicated for now, but it is really working out quickly and it helps you to save some time.

Credits: faaabii

With the appropriate adapter I can now also have fun with the Minitar-1 on my digital camera. When switched into the aperture priority mode I can concentrate myself (most of the time) fully on the subject. The following pictures were made with the Olympus OM-D E-M5:

Credits: faaabii

All in all, I am really happy with the lens. If I want to take quick and simple pictures I would suggest carrying on, using the LC-A+ or the LC-A 120 (my Bessa doesn’t have any aperture priority mode). But when I want more possibilities in aperture or time settings and assuredly sharp photos I am always looking forward to hearing the sexy “click” when my Minitar-1 snaps into the Bessa.

_Featuring the original optics of our signature camera, the lens merges the LC-A heritage of shooting from the hip with the handmade craftsmanship of the Lomography Art Lens family. Compatible across a large platform of analog and digital cameras, the Lomo LC-A Minitar-1 Art Lens offers freedom over LC-A optics like never before. Buy now in our Online Shop!

written by Fabian Schreiter on 2015-11-16 #gear #review #minitar-1 #faaabii #minitar-1-art-lens #lomo-lc-a-minitar-1-art-lens
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Mentioned Product

Lomo LC-A MINITAR 1:2.8

Lomo LC-A MINITAR 1:2.8

It is our great pleasure to introduce the latest addition to the Lomo LC-A legacy, the Lomo LC-A Minitar-1 Art Lens. Featuring the original optics from the Lomo LC-A, the Lomo LC-A Minitar-1 Art Lens merges the LC-A heritage of shooting from the hip with the exquisite handmade craftsmanship of the Lomography Art Lens Family. Compatible across a large platform of analogue and digital cameras, the Lomo LC-A Minitar-1 Art Lens offers freedom over the LC-A optics like never before!

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