davidcreede's Full Review: Lomo Kompakt Automat 35mm Film Camera
Buy an Olympus XA (just XA. not XA1, XA2, XA3. XA4) instead, you can get one off ebay for 25-50 dollars.
The Lomo LC-A is a copy of japanese camera called a cx1 made by cosina. I have no experience with these cameras but my nikon FM10 is made by cosina and has never failed me and if nikon trusts them with their name and reputation then i assume they are good. The Cosina itself is a re-engineering of the concept of the subcompact 35mm AP cameras made by Rollei and Minox. Minox has continued to manufacture this line of cameras to the present day contiually upgrading the products. Their current model, the 35GT-S, has DX coding and EI from ASA 25-3200. At least two other japanese companies also produced cameras of the same concept. Chinon made the Bellami, And Olympus the XA.
I had a Lomo. HAD. I purchased it new from the Lomography site for probably 120 or so. (it was a while a go) I ran five rolls of film through it and loved the results. One night in my apartment i dropped it on the floor. on the retro shag rug of my roommate. under the rug was the wall to wall carpeting and beneath that an inch of foam. the drop was about four feet. The shutter has never fired since.
I HAVE an XA. I got it used from ebay for 35 dollars delivered. there are three specks in the lens. I have no idea what it went through with it's previous owners. It is 20-25 years old. I've probably dropped it 50 times. sometimes on concrete once from about 9 feet up. It continues to this day.
The Lomographic society uses the word "robust", this is patently dishonest. Lomo enthusiast forums are rife with mentions of second and third lomos because of firsts malfunctioning.
enough about the build quality. The other aspect my XA has over the LC-A is an inspired design.
Coupled rangefinder focusing!!!, F2.8-f22, ASA 25-800 (with all intermediate speeds) ten second timer. electric shutter release. 1.5+stop for backlit compensation. clamshell lens cover. elecctromagnetic shutter release. The Lomo is't as nice in my pocket, won't expose at asa 125 or 800, won't stop down to f22, has zone focusing, no other camera has the xa's shutter release, I don't think the lomo has a backlight compensation or a timer but i can't remember so well.
Compare for yourself.
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 120? This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Easy Enough for Anyone to Use
Harnessing the best features of the original Lomo LC-A, and rising above it witha host of new capabilities the Lomo LC-A+ is simply the finest, most d...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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