When I received this amazing camera, the first thing I thought was “This will be perfect for street snapshots!” - My second thought was “The mechanics are awesome!” - And my third thought was “Should I sell some of my cameras?”
One day whilst I was out shooting some pinhole photos, I checked my email while waiting… It was a great surprise to see that I had been chosen to be a ‘Beta Tester’ of the new Lomography camera! I nearly screamed when I saw this mail! (Of course I didn’t, or passers-by would stare at me) The name of camera is LC-Wide and as the name suggests, it’s an amazing wide-angle camera.
The LC-Wide takes with the main functions of the LC-A (automatic exposure, multiple exposure (MX), cable release, ISO 100 – 1600) and adds a load more fantastic functions.
In the three weeks after I got the camera, I visited loads of different places and found that my first three impressions of the LC-Wide were correct.
The reason why the LC-Wide is ‘Perfect for street snapshots’ is because of its ultra-wide angle lens. The 17mm lens is excellent for landscape photos – It capturing so much on the film. When shooting street photos, you will never miss your subject even when you don’t look through the viewfinder. The strong vignetting effect makes the centered subject more attractive.
The viewfinder covers about 80% of actual picture, so…… get closer and closer! The nearest focus is 0.4m – 0.9m, which is rarely gives you out-of-focus shots. The ultra-wide angle shows a long horizon. Thus remember to hold the camera horizontally or the tilted horizon would be too obvious.
The reason why ‘The Mechanics are awesome’ is because of the shooting formats. The LC-Wide can shoot normal 3:2 format, as well as square and half-frame formats (when you insert the correct mask in the film chamber before loading). The awesome part is not only the format switch on the bottom of the camera, the half way opening of lens sliding door is just fascinating.
At the beginning I thought, ‘The Square format will crop both sides. Will the vignetting be cropped too?’ – The answer is NO. As it gets an ultra-wide lens, the vignetting is still obvious after cropping. The composition looks more stable, which is the same as our beloved 6X6 format of 120mm film.
The half-frame format maximizes the value of a roll as it doubles the number of photos you can take. I prefer to tell a story through 2 frames or even more! You may scan by yourselves or merge photos with software. It is a cost-saving and interesting format.
The most interesting way to utilize the half-frame format is the panorama trick. Switch to half-frame (HF) mode without the mask. Open the sliding door half-way. Shoot a few photos from left to right. The panorama image will merge smoothly!
Such a ‘3-in-1’ (no… ‘multi-function-in-1’) camera makes me seriously think, ‘Should I sell some of my cameras?’ – The LC-Wide, equipped with it’s ultra-wide angle lens, automatic exposure, sharp images, larger aperture than many snapshot camera (f/4.5), multiple exposure function……it’s much stronger than some of my camera collection! But I haven’t sold any of my cameras. It’s because every camera has its own, unique, irreplaceable features. Most importantly, a camera is not just about it’s functions but also about carrying your memories when snapping away with them. Undeniably, however, I now have fewer reasons to buy new cameras when I already have the LC-Wide!
Is there any ‘disadvantage’ of LC-Wide? Yes. It’s tooooooo wide! Again, come closer! You can’t be spectator any more. Participate in every event in your life with the LC-Wide!
25 comments
singleelderly
It's finally launched! So excited ^^
himhim
singleelderly
For the Panorama and Half frame photos, larger photos are in this LomoHome album: http://www.lomograph(…)ry-revealed
gateau
Very nice review and lovely photos!! >3<
Looks so attractive especially the panorama shots!
Wanna get one...immediately!
singleelderly
@gateau: Thank you! ^^ (Rush to Sheung Wan and get it immediately!)
mythguy9
Thanks for offering the square format function.
adi_totp
Love your gallery, it really made me smile :) thank you for sharing
simonh82
Great review and fantastic photos. All I need is 200 more piggies and I can get one!
simonh82
Great review and fantastic photos. All I need is 200 more piggies and I can get one!
itsdebraanne
what?! I wanna be a Beta Tester! how do you apply? (:
singleelderly
@adi_totp: Thank you so much! : D
@simonh82: Great! Workhard to earn more piggies!
@itsdebraanne: It's a suprising email I received one day to be the beta tester! : D
niko_fuzzy
omg. are you the beta-tester of lc-w?
ahleng90
best review :)
moon_moon
nice nice nice *10000000
moszkito
singleelderly
@niko_fuzzy: Yes. It's my honour! : D
@ahleng90 & moon_moon: Thanks X1000000000000000
@moszkito: Thank you! I have put film information of each photos in LomoHome album here. http://www.lomograph(…)ry-revealed You may check them out : D P.S.: I recommand ISO 400 / 800 for indoor shots!
lxinping
cant wait to get one of my own!
xtina70
wow, being a beta tester of LC-W!!! congratulations!!
nwy that was great album!!
titidvivant
Truly amazing photos. Not every lomographer could get those results, that's why they aren't handing those things over to just anyone for beta testing! :-)
lawypop
Great Reviews!!! especially luv the pano photos! really tempting to buy :P haha!
mojo_lomo
amazing pic, amazing cam, amazing gallery....amazing LOMO!!!
artabear
eva_eva
Beautiful review!
antibiotyx
great shots! your review entices me to get an lc-w. but darn, it's expensive. i should start saving up.
justins