Lomography introduced the LomoApparat, a compact 35mm viewfinder camera made in China, in October 2022. The standard model comes in a black plastic case, but over time various editions have been introduced. A model that has been available from the beginning is the Bauhaus Edition.
The case is finished in a warm brown tone and has a leather-like texture that gives it a touch of vintage charm. The front of the camera is dominated by a large, round lens surrounded by a silver ring. Above it there is a small hot shoe into which a colored flash filter is inserted.
The top of the camera is in a light cream color and houses the lettering "LomoApparat" as well as a switch with the settings "B", "N" and "OFF". There is a film transport wheel on the right side.
The camera is equipped with a fixed 21mm wide-angle lens that offers a maximum aperture of f/10. This lens captures a wide image section and produces images with striking contrasts and characteristic vignetting.
The LomoApparat Bauhaus Edition does not have autofocus and works with a fixed distance setting. In order to achieve sharp and detailed images, a minimum distance of 50 cm from the subject should be maintained.
Since the camera does not have a light meter, it cannot determine the exposure automatically. The aperture is fixed, while the exposure time can be selected between 1/100 s (N) and Bulb (B). In bulb mode, the shutter remains open until the shutter button is released.
An integrated flash ensures good image quality in poor lighting conditions or little light. At ISO 100 the flash ranges from 0.5 to 2 meters. It can be turned off if necessary and has a frame for color filters to color the flash light.
The camera is equipped with a tripod thread, which is particularly useful in bulb mode to prevent camera shake. It also has a silver hand strap for a secure hold.
The LomoApparat Bauhaus Edition requires an AA battery (eBay / Amazon*), which is easily available and inexpensive. The power supply is only required for the flash.
Films for the LomoApparat Bauhaus Edition
The Lomography camera is designed exclusively for 35mm films. There is still a large selection of color and black and white films for this format. Many photographers prefer the Kodak Ultramax 400* for color images and the Ilford HP5* for black and white images.
The color film is developed using the C-41 process, which is available in most photo labs and drugstores. The black and white film can be developed either in a photo lab or at home, with instructions available online.
The negatives of the LomoApparat Bauhaus Edition measure 24 mm x 36 mm. Since the camera does not have an automatic film transport, the film must be advanced manually using the thumb wheel on the back.
