The Lomo 130A and the Lomo 130AL were the attempt to bring a budget version of the Sokol Automat onto the market. In order to reduce production costs, the number of metering cells for the exposure meter has been reduced from six to one. The attachment lugs for a camera strap were also removed.
The Lomo 130AL never made it into series production. The Lomo 130A was only produced in limited quantities and sold only on the domestic market. Due to the fact that only a few of the models were produced in the 70s, they are very rare today and only available at a corresponding price.
The lens of the Lomo 130A cannot be exchanged. The Industar-70 has a focal length of 50 mm. The maximum aperture is f/2.8 The lens is focused by hand. The Lomo 130A does not have an autofocus function. With the camera’s rangefinder, you no longer have to estimate the distance to the subject.
The 35 mm camera has a built-in meter for measuring the correct exposure. The Lomo 130A has an automatic exposure control and adjusts aperture and exposure time automatically. The desired f-stop number as well as the exposure time can be set by the user.
The 35 mm camera has a bulb mode. The closure remains open as desired. An external flash unit can be used via the PC flash socket.
Films for the Lomo 130A
For taking pictures with the Lomo 130A, 35mm films are needed. 35mm films are still produced today and are quite easy to get. A color film for 35mm camera is the Kodak Gold 200*. A possible film for black-and-white images is the Kodak T-Max 400*.
The 35 mm camera has a connector for a cable release. There is also a thread for a tripod. The film is rewound manually in the camera.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Rangefinder camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 36 mm |
| Focal length | 50 mm |
| Widest aperture | f/2.8 |
| Focus | Manual |
| Rangefinder | Yes |
| Exposure times | 1/500 second to 1/30 second, Bulb |
| Bulb mode | Yes |
| Light meter | Yes |
| Built-in flash | No |
| Flash Connection | PC-Flash |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | Yes |
| Self-timer | No |
FAQ about the Lomo 130A
How does the Lomo 130A focus?
The Lomo 130A uses manual focus. It doesn't have autofocus. You adjust the focus yourself using the lens's focusing ring.
What type of film does this camera use?
This 35mm camera uses standard 35mm film. Both color and black and white films are compatible.
Can I use a flash with the camera?
Yes, the Lomo 130A has a PC flash sync socket, allowing you to connect and use an external flash.
Is the lens interchangeable on this camera?
No, the Lomo 130A has a fixed Industar-70 50mm lens. You cannot change the lens.
How does the light meter work on the Lomo 130A?
It has a built-in light meter with automatic exposure settings. However, you can also manually set the aperture and shutter speed.