Lubitel 2

Dinis Figueira · Oct 11, 2016

Hi guy's,

I've found a Lubi 2 on a sale - my second Lubi.
Seemed awesome but then at home I discovered the real stuff.

The hood is all wobbly (the front part can't get fully straight), selftimer ain't working correctly, the ground glass is full of dust underneath it and the focus mechanism is stiff.
Other than that, I found it as a really neat camera.

So the real question here is, how could I repair all of these problems? The exterior is mint condition. It had dust on the lens but I've removed it. And the shutter speeds seem to be working properly. So I was thinking of giving away my first Lubi (since I've already broke it accidentaly) and turn this one as my main workhorse, since I still have two rolls to expose. Or I have to once again, begin the search to another medium format for me...
Never jump really high with a camera in your neck...

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Harry Stevens · Oct 12, 2016

Yes! Put the Lubitels in the bin and buy a fully working Rolleicord VA/B.

Dinis Figueira · Oct 12, 2016

Harry Stevens said:
Yes! Put the Lubitels in the bin and buy a fully working Rolleicord VA/B.

That would be nice. Except that needs more than 100€ just to burn 2 rolls.

Ko.Fe. · Oct 12, 2016

You already broke one, why do you need to brake another one? Give two away to more capable and give two rolls away as well.

Dali · Oct 12, 2016

Why do you need to expose 2 120 rolls?

Dinis Figueira · Oct 13, 2016

Wanted to do a couple of shots to print. Guess I won't do it. Even thought I already fixed the hood and selftimer, the ground glass is both dirty and scratch from the hood. It's let's sell time.

darkosaric · Oct 13, 2016

I had Lubitel 2 - the lens stopped at f8/f11 gives very decent quality. The only problem was overall feel, especially ground glass - even it was not very dirty, it was hard to focus and compose. If you are not after 100% clear, nice and perfect shots - Lubitel can be fun and challenging to use.

bvy · Oct 13, 2016

darkosaric said:
I had Lubitel 2 - the lens stopped at f8/f11 gives very decent quality. The only problem was overall feel, especially ground glass - even it was not very dirty, it was hard to focus and compose. If you are not after 100% clear, nice and perfect shots - Lubitel can be fun and challenging to use.

The Lubitel is capable of incredible sharpness, but yes, the ground glass and magnifier are useless. I resorted to focusing the lens using a ground glass and loupe over the taking lens, and marking off 4', 5', 6' 8', etc. on the focusing barrel.

locutus · Oct 13, 2016

I did the same with mine, i marked its focus scale and use it as a lightweight scale focus camera at f/16. Its surprisingly good for that.

Trying to use the 'intended focus mechanism' just drives one mad.

flavio81 · Oct 13, 2016

bvy said:
The Lubitel is capable of incredible sharpness, but yes, the ground glass and magnifier are useless. I resorted to focusing the lens using a ground glass and loupe over the taking lens, and marking off 4', 5', 6' 8', etc. on the focusing barrel.

My lubitel (166B) would be a great camera if it could actually do sharp photographs. It didn't, even after recalibrating the focus.

I was going to buy the later 166+ marketed by Lomography but the sample in the store had incorrect focus synchronization between the taking lens and the viewing lens.

I just returned to my Mamiyas and never looked back.

AgX · Oct 13, 2016

Did you check that in the store? If so, how?

Ko.Fe. · Oct 13, 2016

Dinis Figueira said:
Wanted to do a couple of shots to print. Guess I won't do it. Even thought I already fixed the hood and selftimer, the ground glass is both dirty and scratch from the hood. It's let's sell time.

This is huge progress!

Do you know what L-2 is the best TLR for scale focusing? Comparing to overpriced YashiRolls, it has focus scale where it must be. Forget L-2 ground glass which is useless with or without loupe. Use hood VF and scale.

If L-2 taking lens is aligned, you could take photos at f5.6 and scale focusing fast and easy!

Few examples here:
Dead Link Removed

Rudolf Karachun · Oct 13, 2016

Lubitel -2 is the simplest camera I ever had. it can be disassembled cleaned and assembled back together probably with just one screwdriver and a few drops of lens cleaning fluid. Especially if you have already two of them and you can use broken one for parts. I was about 15 or less years old when I purchase a new Lubitel-2. The self timer was a bit stiff. Even I was able to replace camera in the store, I kind of already felt in love with it and decided to fix myself. A drop of fine oil fixed everything, but before I got the right oil I already removed one of the front geared ring witch coupled both lenses together for focusing. The piece of matte paper was all what I had in hands in this time. So I place the paper on the film transporting rollers, focus both lenses and put the geared ring back in place. Camera worked many years after that and produced sharp pictures. Why you don't try to fix it, instead of looking for something else.

Dinis Figueira · Oct 17, 2016

I'm thinking on getting a tripod and go shoot some islands with it after all this discussion instead of selling it...

darkosaric · Oct 17, 2016

Dinis Figueira said:
I'm thinking on getting a tripod and go shoot some islands with it after all this discussion instead of selling it...

+1!

flavio81 · Oct 18, 2016

AgX said:
Did you check that in the store? If so, how?

Bringing my own ground glass and loupe for the film plane!

Lubitel 2

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