The Lubitel 166 Universal was my first medium format camera, that I found in a flea market many years ago for few dollars. Last year I bought the new and improved Lubitel 166+ on the Online Shop of Lomography. Great camera, with an awesome and bright viewfinder!
Some months ago, I went to the Lomography Gallery Store in Milan to withdraw some 120mm developments and scans, and I saw on a shelf the new Lubitel 166+. As a first sight, I was impressed by its new viewfinder, which I found bright and with interesting focusing aids, as the microprism and the split image system.
The split image focusing system allows me to use the camera in many dynamic situations, as in this rugby match (Rugby Como v/S Rugby Busto, third division of Italian Rugby Championship).
Photo by sirio174
The viewfinder covers 100% of the image, allowing a better composition without the need of cropping the images.
Photo by sirio174
The lens is sharp and the plasticity of the images is incredible!
I love the 120mm format because I print with great enlargement with my Meopta Opemus 7 enlarger!
All these photos were taken using an Ilford HP5+ developed in R09 Spezial (a new version of the fine grain developer Rodinal Special).
This camera is a great companion of my Lubitel 166U!
4 comments
brandkow93
The 166+ is the most overpriced camera ever, £289 for Lubitel!!!! for that you could get a Bronica SQ!!! or 3 Minolta cords, 1 and a half Mamiya C330's or 20 lubitel 2's off ebay. The lens is not sharp at all, and the viewfinder compared to something like the autocord is woeful. Id rather own an original lubitel as they are better made and aren't chinese made unreliable bits of plastic.
robotmonkey1996
The Lubitel's got a warranty, is in production, and is decent enough. If you don't want one from LSI, get one from a sketchy Ukranian guy on ebay.
sirio174
The 166+ is a well made camera!
brandkow93
So your paying the huge price for warranty?? i got my lubitel 2 for a local camera store fully tested and working with a warranty for £25. Hey if you are happy with it thats all that matters its just for me the price you pay could go much further on a better, more versatile camera with limitations, the bronica SQ for example.