Holga vs Lomo LC-A 120

[skysh4rk]

I have Holgas, true lo-fi. They are great for their purpose. I don't know about the LCA120, since I've never seen one in person. I do have an Agfa Isolette II for which I paid less than $600 cla'd. From looking online, I don't see how the LCA120 performs better than a properly functioning Agfa Isolette or equivalent. And for less money. And an Agfa Isolette can be repaired. On the plus for the LCA120 it has auto exposure, which I assume functions well.

If you want a very wide angle, I don't see how the Isolette II could perform better than a properly functioning LC-A 120.

The closest equivalent to the LC-A's 38mm lens in 6x6 will be a Hasselblad Superwide, which will cost quite a lot more than the LC-A 120.

 

[Donald Qualls]

I don't see how the LCA120 performs better than a properly functioning Agfa Isolette or equivalent. And for less money. And an Agfa Isolette can be repaired. On the plus for the LCA120 it has auto exposure, which I assume functions well.

If you want a very wide angle, I don't see how the Isolette II could perform better than a properly functioning LC-A 120.

I haven't seen anything equivalent to an Isolette with a lens shorter than 75 mm, never mind with auto exposure. Yes, the Isolette can be repaired, but the repair is likely to cost more than a well-working Isolette is worth unless you're able to do it yourself. OTOH, you can probably buy two or three good Isolettes, Nettars, Speedex, etc. assorted non-RF 6x6 folders for the price of an LC-A 120 -- and you'd have trouble finding a 38 mm that covers 6x6 as a lens in shutter or lens for a system camera for less than the LC-A 120 camera, complete.

It's in kind of a no-man's-land for me, though. The same lens with two or three aperture choices and a fixed plus B shutter (i.e. the works from a Holga) would have the same utility, for me, and be more reliable and durable (and not dependent on a battery).

 

[Jeremy Mudd]

I own both and like both, but I'm not sure I really consider the LC-A 120 lo-fi like the Holga, as its lens and feature set are a bit more advanced.

Although it doesn't technically have a bulb setting, it will automatically do long exposures where necessary. I would prefer manual exposure settings on the LC-A, but the only thing that wide and that portable in medium format would be a lot more expensive. It has its issues, but good balance of features/strengths for the money. I tend to use the LC-A 120 as my secondary camera when travelling.

Those images are freaking awesome.

I wasn't really familiar with the LC-A before this thread, but these images made me go check it out on Lomo's site. Love the wide perspective on the 6x6 format.

Honestly, I need another 6x6 medium format camera like I need another hole in my head, especially in this time of financial uncertainty. So please don't post anymore great shots.

Jeremy

 

[gijsbert]

Except that they are both 6x6 and plastic I don't find them that comparable. Normal vs very wide angle. Not very sharp to pretty sharp. Manual but few choices (2 apertures, 2 speeds) vs auto only.
Haven't done any color with the Holga, but LC-A 120 has good colors;

Holga image:

For me the Holga is very niche and you have to find the right subject material composed in the center where there is the most sharpness. Mine doesn't have too many light leaks, which I'm happy with.
The LC-A is much more a regular medium format camera - almost p&s, just don't throw it around too much because it's plastic. I do wish it had a manual mode and bulb. And some feedback of the chosen aperture/shutter, fairly often I have a depth-of-field surprise when the film is developed.

 

[wyofilm]

I haven't seen anything equivalent to an Isolette with a lens shorter than 75 mm, never mind with auto exposure. Yes, the Isolette can be repaired, but the repair is likely to cost more than a well-working Isolette is worth unless you're able to do it yourself. OTOH, you can probably buy two or three good Isolettes, Nettars, Speedex, etc. assorted non-RF 6x6 folders for the price of an LC-A 120 -- and you'd have trouble finding a 38 mm that covers 6x6 as a lens in shutter or lens for a system camera for less than the LC-A 120 camera, complete.

It's in kind of a no-man's-land for me, though. The same lens with two or three aperture choices and a fixed plus B shutter (i.e. the works from a Holga) would have the same utility, for me, and be more reliable and durable (and not dependent on a battery).

You are right. Everything is a compromise. Now if one is willing to spend something like 8x the price of a LCA120 you can get all the great features and a 55mm wide angle lens (still not as wide as the LCA-120). Fujifilm GF670 W! Shoots 6x6, auto exposure, aperture priority, range finder focussing, manual control, wonderful lens and a price tag of around $3500! Kids college fund ... GF670 ... kids college fund ... GF670 ... kids college fund. Oh, well.

 

[skysh4rk]

Those images are freaking awesome.

I wasn't really familiar with the LC-A before this thread, but these images made me go check it out on Lomo's site. Love the wide perspective on the 6x6 format.

Honestly, I need another 6x6 medium format camera like I need another hole in my head, especially in this time of financial uncertainty. So please don't post anymore great shots.

Jeremy

Thanks for the kind comments. As with any camera, it has its limitations, but used within these, it can produce some very pleasing results.

 

[Horatio]

Delightful, thank you! This is one of those funny decisions. I truly believe the camera is overpriced and cannot justify the $600 (CDN) pricetag. If it were $300 or even $400 I would buy it today. Is my attitude ridiculous? I'm sure I'd enjoy the camera thoroughly, and yet my "principles" will not allow me to buy a camera that seems unfairly priced! I was born foolish and perhaps I've stayed that way!

There’s one in Oregon listed for auction (theBay) at $375, or best offer.

 

[Joseph Bell]

There’s one in Oregon listed for auction (theBay) at $375, or best offer.

It looks like I missed it. Thanks very much all the same!

 

[xya]

while waiting for the funds get yourself a diana and its 38mm lens. not bad to begin with. same angle and much fun. not the quality of the lc-a 120, but you can see whether you really need such a wide angle...

 

[Joseph Bell]

while waiting for the funds get yourself a diana and its 38mm lens. not bad to begin with. same angle and much fun. not the quality of the lc-a 120, but you can see whether you really need such a wide angle...

That's terrific, thank you. I had no idea the Diana had so wide a lens.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Weren't most Diana cameras permanently masked to 4x4 (ostensibly so the resulting images could be mounted in 2x2 slide mounts like 4x4 on 127) and the ruby window positioned for 16 frames?

Okay, now I see you mean the current Diana F+ -- but at US$210 plus tax and shipping for a plastic fantastic, even including six lenses, multiple masks and adapters for different film formats, and flash, it seems a little high. If you could get the basic camera with just the 38mm lens, it might make more sense as a "test the waters" before an LC-A 120, but at 2/3 the price it doesn't make much sense to me...

 

[Donald Qualls]

That's terrific, thank you. I had no idea the Diana had so wide a lens.

Watch out. The basic Diana has a 75 mm lens (though 4x4 mask is optional). You apparently have to buy a "system" package to get the 38mm.

 

[Grim Tuesday]

I have Holgas, true lo-fi. They are great for their purpose. I don't know about the LCA120, since I've never seen one in person. I do have an Agfa Isolette II for which I paid less than $600 cla'd. From looking online, I don't see how the LCA120 performs better than a properly functioning Agfa Isolette or equivalent. And for less money. And an Agfa Isolette can be repaired. On the plus for the LCA120 it has auto exposure, which I assume functions well.

There aren't many wide angle options in medium format. A relatively exhaustive list is: Hasselblad 500 40mm Distagon, Hasselblad SWC 38mm Biogon, Bronica Zenzanon SQ 40mm, Pentax 6x7 45mm, Kiev 60 45mm and... the Lomo LCA120. Someone please let me know if I've missed any - I don't think I have. Compared to those options, it is higher quality than the Kiev, half the price of the SWC and lighter weight than all of them. If I didn't have reliability concerns I would have gotten one a while ago!

 

[skysh4rk]

If I didn't have reliability concerns I would have gotten one a while ago!

It’s a new camera that comes with a two-year warranty. There is less risk purchasing the LC-A 120 than any of the cameras/lenses you’ve just mentioned.

 

[Grim Tuesday]

It’s a new camera that comes with a two-year warranty. There is less risk purchasing the LC-A 120 than any of the cameras/lenses you’ve just mentioned.

Good point. I was thinking of buying one on eBay but new, you are totally correct.

 

[Donald Qualls]

There aren't many wide angle options in medium format. A relatively exhaustive list is: Hasselblad 500 40mm Distagon, Hasselblad SWC 38mm Biogon, Bronica Zenzanon SQ 40mm, Pentax 6x7 45mm, Kiev 60 45mm and... the Lomo LCA120. Someone please let me know if I've missed any - I don't think I have. Compared to those options, it is higher quality than the Kiev, half the price of the SWC and lighter weight than all of them. If I didn't have reliability concerns I would have gotten one a while ago!

RB67, 50 mm f/4.5 (normal is 110 mm for the 6x7 frame). Of course, the lens probably weighs more than the entire LC-A 120...

 

[wyofilm]

Someone please let me know if I've missed any

Mamiya 7 has a 43mm lens. A spectacular lens.

 

[bernard_L]

Thus far I cannot begin to think about allowing myself to spend $600 CDN I don't have on this relatively lo-fi camera!

For the same amount of money (<=400€ approx 600CND) you can buy a Fuji GS645W. Admittedly, the 45mm FL is not as wide as the 38mm of the LOMO. Also admittedly, the EBC-Fujinon is simply SHARP. Keep in mind that the novelty of the super-wide might wear off rather soon. Like feeding on pickles.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

I've been shooting a lot with my LC-A 120. Yes, the body is plastic, and you have no real control over exposure. But it does an AMAZING job at what it does, for (relatively speaking) not much money. You do have to accept that it will vignette at the corners a tad, and it isn't quite as optically corrected as a Hasselblad SWC, but it's 1/4 the price of a heavily used SWC, and 1/4 the weight. Perfect travel camera. And the built-in meter is excellent - this was a full-auto exposure with it, at night!

 

[xya]

I don't know for the states, but in europe, especially in germany a diana f+ second hand is not expensive, ~30€. a 38mm lens with finder is 30€ (new) as well. just checked on ebay...

 

[4season]

I think I've shared these photos before, but have since learned to do better scans from color negatives. Not as heavily processed as you might think: Not sure why the pumpkin picture in particular looks so wild, but I like it.

 

[Joseph Bell]

Yes! Pickles! You crave pickles and you don't know why! The first one is briny and delicious! The second one is pretty good, but only a lunatic would eat a third! Is the LC-A 120 the pickle of cameras?! Oh I pray not!

For the same amount of money (<=400€ approx 600CND) you can buy a Fuji GS645W. Admittedly, the 45mm FL is not as wide as the 38mm of the LOMO. Also admittedly, the EBC-Fujinon is simply SHARP. Keep in mind that the novelty of the super-wide might wear off rather soon. Like feeding on pickles.

 

[Joseph Bell]

It’s a new camera that comes with a two-year warranty. There is less risk purchasing the LC-A 120 than any of the cameras/lenses you’ve just mentioned.

Excellent point.

 

[Joseph Bell]

I think I've shared these photos before, but have since learned to do better scans from color negatives. Not as heavily processed as you might think: Not sure why the pumpkin picture in particular looks so wild, but I like it.

Love that pumpkin picture!

 

[Huss]

LCA-120