Thoughts on the Lomo LC-Wide

I have to admit upfront that when I first heard the word "lomo", I have in my mind cross-processed, heavy-vignetted, ultra-saturated pictures. I hate those things, and the LC-Wide did not change my mind about cheap-ass filters that I can get just as easily on my phone. However, this camera showed me that it's not just about the look that gave Lomography such a cult-following.

Let me explain.

I'm not going to call this little camera a beauty, because let's be honest, it NOT PRETTY, like AT ALL. The Lomo LC-Wide resonates with me more like a toy, but I'm not going as far as to calling it a toy camera, just to show some respect. (Quite frankly, I don't believe Lomography themselves consider what they make toy cameras.)

The LC-Wide is an interesting little film camera. It has a 17mm Minigon ultra wide angle lens on it, which I think is totally amazing. Do you guys realize what an ultra wide like this would cost as a stand alone lens on any given mount?

I bought the LC-Wide at a bargain price of under 30,000 Yen, and I haven't regretted this purchase one bit. The Minigon lens on it is contrasty and vignettes strongly just like how I have speculated, but quite surprisingly I actually like this little camera. Don't get me wrong, though, I'm not saying I like the so-called "Lomo effect" that I can get from this camera, I'm purely talking about the joy of using the LC-Wide.

It's so small that it literally fits in my jeans pocket. It's so light that I sometimes don't even realize I'm holding a camera in my hand and not a plastic brick. It's so easy to use, having only two zones to select focus. In my honest opinion, I think the LC-Wide is even easier to use than an AF-equipted point-and-shoot camera.

This might sound like blasphemy to some, but you gotta hear me on this. I don't have to worry about the LC-Wide missing focus because of such a wide DoP, and I don't even have to worry too much about composition because the 17mm lens literally fits everything into the frame.

All I have to think about... Oh, wait, I really don't have to think about anything, really.

I just shoot.

"But what about your composition?" you might ask. Well, I think capturing fleeing moments is more important than keeping the rule of thirds or the golden ratio. With no AF to worry about, occasional wobbly pictures from low shutter speeds and a lens full of character, one can certainly get serious shooting while having fun.

The LC-Wide is a good way to free yourself from the boundaries and rules of photography once-in-a-while. To me at least, it's certainly good fun.