Lomo LC-A+ - Give Her a Chance
written by oldskool_rider
on March 29th, 2009
, 7 comments
(8 votes)
It all started on 1st July 2008 when I registered at lomography.com and got myself a nice new shiny Lomohome. At this time I had a Fisheye 2 camera and after browsing through the Shop section of the site, I desperately wanted to add every camera in there to my collection. I was impressed by the vignettes from the Holga family, I loved the style and the beauty of Diana+. I loved the long panoramic shots from the Horizon. The funky charm of the Supersampler, the four flashes of the Actionsampler Flash. However the LC-A+ only intrigued me. I saw the photos that were produced through that Minitar 1 lens, however because I was fairly new to analogue photography, I couldn’t understand why this camera was so good and why (for that matter) it more than most other cameras.
The end of the summer soon came, and I was starting to become addicted to the analogue way. I was browsing through friends’ galleries, and trying to figure out why their shots were so much better than mine. “2008-04-28 2 LC-A hamburg“ (an album on mephisto19’s home) was a particular favorite of mine. I realized that he was not only using good quality film (rather than the cheapest stuff I could find), but the shots were also taken through a great lens. After a few months, I knew I had to have the LC-A/LC-A+. I had come to understand that this was not just a camera, it is the camera. This is the classic Lomo camera with a beautiful lens. The vignettes, the colour, the contrast, the beauty! This is something I wanted to have in my life.
Being a student, I dismissed the idea of buying one instantly. I simply haven’t got the money to buy such indulgences as this, however on 20th December 2008, there was a surprise party (which I knew about) for my 21st birthday organized by my amazing girlfriend Jem. I was overwhelmed with shock as you can image, however it wasn’t because of the party, (that I knew about) but because while we were eating, a small present was placed in front of me. I knew what it was from the first second I saw that box. My dreams had come true. I immediately loaded the batteries and film in my new LC-A+ so I could have memories of this beautiful happy day!
BUT, when I received the first 3 films from the lab, they were blank! My heart sank. After asking for people’s advice, and worrying that I had to send her back to Vienna to be replaced, I realized that I hadn’t loaded the batteries correctly. All was well!!
Since that day, my LC-A+ has rarely left my side. I have had many happy memories with her and I know there are still many many more to come.
Now I know what you’re saying, “that story is nice, however this is a camera review, not a life story”, but there is little I can say to you about the LC-A+ you don’t already know, I’m sure. Everybody on Lomography.com knows that this is the one camera that all Lomographers aspire to own. When you see shots others have produced with her, you can see that she is special, but I don’t think you really appreciate her fully until you have held her in your hands and felt the way she works. There is something indescribably special about this camera. She has the charm and compact versatility that you want from a camera, however she is also something you want to protect. For she is delicate, fragile and sexy beneath that hard durable exterior.
The main reason I wanted to review the LC-A+ is to tell people not to be put off my her price tag, or the fact that unlike many of the Lomography cameras, can only take 35mm film, but that does not matter! She is simple, elegant and versatile. The possibilities with her are unlimited. Give her a chance.
Thank you Jem.
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