The Lomo LC-Wide, like nothing else.

Huss · Mar 6, 2023

Here's a weird and perplexing thing about this camera. When I shoot it in half frame/constant pano mode, the pics come out exceedingly sharp. Like I can make massive prints from it sharp. But when I shoot it in square or regular full frame format, the camera seems to front focus quite severely so outside posting on the web, the images are very soft.

There are only two focus settings, and I am making sure to use the correct one! I also verified that the lens moves between the two settings. And when I make those half frame panos, the front lens cover is in the same fully open position as if I am making a full frame shot. The only thing that is different is the film advances only half the distance per exposure. So I am thinking when the film is fully advanced for a full frame shot, for some reason the film flatness is no longer optimal.

See pics attached. In full frame mode - only the grass at the front is in focus even though the camera is at infinity. In the half frame pano - everything is pin sharp - same infinity setting.

MTGseattle · Mar 6, 2023

Ah the pitfalls of Photrio. Someone posts something fun and whimsical and now I "need" another camera. Really cool stuff @Huss

@ic-racer what the heck did you post? It's amazing and befuddling and reminds me of something Hunter S Thompson wrote regarding a man in the depths of an Ether binge.

brbo · Mar 7, 2023

MTGseattle said:
Ah the pitfalls of Photrio. Someone posts something fun and whimsical and now I "need" another camera.

Tell me about it!

I now have 5 new (to me) Lomo cameras that came in a 120 EUR bag of Lomo stuff. One of the cameras was LC-Wide (one other worth of mentioning was Spinner 360). LC-Wide came without square and half-frame inserts, though. Contacted Lomography, they said I can't buy the inserts, but they would send them to me free of charge if/when those spare parts become available here in EU.

@Huss, I doubt that 0.9m-Inf position is actually infinity, more probably hyperfocal, but still infinity shouldn't be too soft (hard to judge from your 800x800px examples how soft infinity is). Anyway, thanks for doing the squares!

Huss · Mar 7, 2023

@brbo Lomo actually were very cool and sent me those missing frames for free. It took a while - so I thought they forgot about it - but they then showed up!

W re. to my camera, the focusing is accurate when used in that half frame format where I made the continuous strips. Literally pin sharp. So I think it has to do w the film advance in the FF mode that for some reason no longer holds the film flat. Anyway, to test that theory I just shot a test roll in the 1/2 frame format again and will find out tonight.

Yours of course may be fine in both FF and 1/2 F! I wouldn't mind if I can only use mine in 1/2 frame, as I bought it for that purpose.

Huss · Mar 7, 2023

Dev'd/scanned my film. Yup, shot at the 1/2 frame advance but in full frame mode it is crazy sharp! So obviously when it is advanced in full frame mode, the film is buckling and/or loosening which is why the pics are out of focus.
Very weird, but to me actually inconsequential because I bought this to be used as a 1/2 frame camera and also make the 1/2 frame pano with.

brbo · Mar 8, 2023

That's very odd.

So you HF advanced film twice (one shot with lens covered), took a shot, changed to FF, advanced the film, took the same shot and the first shot was properly focused while the second wasn't?

Did you also try to manually tension the film with rewind lever after FF advance?

Huss · Mar 8, 2023

I compared the rolls I shot in FF mode to the ones I shot in the half frame mode. Every single image on every roll I shot in the FF mode were very soft - basically out of focus - from mid distance to infinity. Remember, this is a 17mm lens with basically infinite DOF on a sunny day! Every image I shot in the half frame mode is pin sharp.

I did not manually tension the film in either case - which would be a thing to do for sure - but I did make sure to check that the film rewind knob turns appropriately every time I advance the film. Just a force of habit thing.

Next time I use it, I will shoot a couple of images in FF mode - one as normal, the other with the film intentionally tensioned, then the rest in the 1/2 frame mode.

Huss · Mar 10, 2023

Lomo LC-Wide, Superia 400

Huss · Mar 10, 2023

xkaes · Mar 18, 2023

While the Lomo LC-Wide probably won't be on my price-radar anytime soon, anyone looking for an affordable alternative -- like me -- might want to consider this puppy. I know I am:

The Holga 135TIM is a 35mm half-frame of a different color - PLUS it comes in many different colors. While it has many of the features of a typical half-frame, it adds some that no other half-frame camera has. Let's start with the basics. It's small and light, uses a 29mm zone-focusing lens with apertures of f8, f11 & f22, has a single shutter speed of 1/100, PLUS "B", has a standard viewfinder and hot shoe, and can take 72 shots on a 36 exposure roll. Sound like a pretty bare-bones half-frame? Well the 135TIM adds three important features that you can use alone or in combination - like no other camera. First, it has TWO lenses, and TWO frame boxes, PLUS it allows you to open each lens at the same time or separately -- for REAL stereo photos. Most importantly, it adds a Multi-exposure feature so you can create photos together in ways never imagined. The biggest problem is keeping track of what you are doing. For example, you can take one exposure with one lens at one exposure setting, and then take another with the other lens at a different exposure and focus setting at a different time with or without using the multi-exposure setting - with the same or a different subject. Then you can advance the film -- or not, to make multiple exposures. Holga sold a matching electronic flash -- with colored filters -- but adding any auto-exposure hot-shoe flash, gives you limitless possibilities. Has a tripod socket and cable release connection too.

FROM WIKI:

"The Holga 135TIM (Twin Image Maker) is a compact half frame, dual image 35mm film camera based on the Holga 135 body.

It uses two independent built-in lens covering to shoot one side or the other. Both lenses can also be used together to take two of the identical pictures at the same time and can be used as a stereo camera or independently to provide half frame images. The shutter requires cocking either by winding the camera on or by means of MX (Multiple Exposure) switch. The front housing is a bit humorous and looks like a persons face, with the lens covers depicted as eyelids. It is available in black, white, blue, red, yellow, pink along with a red body and white top version. Camera uses a proprietary filter holder and has threaded points for cable release & tripod."

Huss · Mar 18, 2023

Looks fun! $65 on AliExpress. Possible downside is the regular 135 it is based on has a super fragile film transport.

xkaes · Mar 18, 2023

Two sold recently on EBAY for about $40 -- used, of course. I'm not in a rush, so I'll keep my eye open.

Huss · Mar 18, 2023

The problem w these Holga 135s is they are not long for this world if used. So buying a used one is very risky.

Huss · Mar 19, 2023

LC-W, shot in half frame mode. Superia 400 rated at 200

xkaes · Mar 19, 2023

While researching the Holga 135TIM, I also remembered the Diana Mini. I have an original 120 Diana, but the Diana Mini is a little different. Sure, it's made of the same plastic body and lens, but my 120 Diana doesn't have a tripod socket, a cable release, or contacts for a flash. Here's what I found out about the Diana Mini. Sounds like it's perfect for panoramas -- with the Diana look, of course.

The Diana Mini is equipped with a 24 mm plastic lens that offers apertures of f/11 and f/8 in the sunny and cloudy modes, respectively. The zone focusing lens has markings for four distances -- 4, 2.4, 1.2, and 0.6 m. The shutter operates in the bulb mode as well as at a speed of up to 1/60th of a second. Multiple exposures can be executed with the ability to overlap frames for a continuous panorama. The camera has a 1/4"-20 tripod mount and accepts a threaded cable release. It also accepts a special plug-in flash as an accessory. Available in different colors, coverings, and names -- such as "Love Letters".

Apparently it can take half-frame or 24x24mm pictures -- but there may be different versions.

Prices on EBAY are around $25.

Huss · Mar 19, 2023

Lomo LC-Wide, Superia 400

Huss · Mar 20, 2023

Lomo LC-W, Superia 400

xkaes · Apr 2, 2023

xkaes said:
While researching the Holga 135TIM, I also remembered the Diana Mini. I have an original 120 Diana, but the Diana Mini is a little different. Sure, it's made of the same plastic body and lens, but my 120 Diana doesn't have a tripod socket, a cable release, or contacts for a flash. Here's what I found out about the Diana Mini. Sounds like it's perfect for panoramas -- with the Diana look, of course.

The Diana Mini is equipped with a 24 mm plastic lens that offers apertures of f/11 and f/8 in the sunny and cloudy modes, respectively. The zone focusing lens has markings for four distances -- 4, 2.4, 1.2, and 0.6 m. The shutter operates in the bulb mode as well as at a speed of up to 1/60th of a second. Multiple exposures can be executed with the ability to overlap frames for a continuous panorama. The camera has a 1/4"-20 tripod mount and accepts a threaded cable release. It also accepts a special plug-in flash as an accessory. Available in different colors, coverings, and names -- such as "Love Letters".

Apparently it can take half-frame or 24x24mm pictures -- but there may be different versions.

Prices on EBAY are around $25.

I just nabbed a MINI DIANA on GOODWILL for $9. I was the only bidder. Comes with the flash and manual. I hope it works as good as it looks.

When it arrives, I'll start a new thread in LO-FI about it -- and similar cameras.

Huss · Apr 2, 2023

xkaes said:
I just nabbed a MINI DIANA on GOODWILL for $9. I was the only bidder. Comes with the flash and manual. I hope it works as good as it looks.

When it arrives, I'll start a new thread in LO-FI about it -- and similar cameras.

With pictures taken with it I hope, otherwise what's the point?

xkaes · Apr 2, 2023

xkaes said:
I hope it works as good as it looks.

Even if it doesn't, I can probably sell it for more than I paid for it.

Huss · Apr 2, 2023

xkaes said:
. I hope it works as good as it looks.

I can't tell if you are being sarcastic or not.

Huss · Apr 4, 2023

LC-W, FUJI 400

Steve@f8 · Jul 12, 2023

Huss said:
For panos I use a service that allows me to print the full image within the border of the specified paper size that I have picked. You could either go a 'custom' route, or here in the US I like to use Adorama's printing service for this called printique.com
For example, if I have an image that I want 36 inches long, and they do not offer a pano with that length, I'd pick the 24x36 size and select the setting that allows the uncropped image to be printed on it. It will have very large borders on the horizontal axes, but those will be trimmed off when framed.

Huss, my long search to bag an LC Wide has paid off, with a fairly new, but non the less second hand one heading my way (seller says he’s only run one roll).
Your 1/2 frame panos influenced me, and I’m wondering if you could share your technique for digitising a fairly lengthy strip of negs making up the pano. (I’m assuming negative lab pro for post production.)
Thank you.

The Lomo LC-Wide, like nothing else.

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