Lomo LC-Wide

The Lomo LC-Wide or Lomo LC-W was introduced in May 2011 by the Lomographic Society as the latest innovation in the world of Lomography. It took 3 to 4 years from concept to product release of the Lomo LC-Wide. 

The most elaborate part of the design process was the heart of the LC-Wide, the 17mm super wide angle lens. It delivers high-contrast, sharp images with beautiful vignetting. Get close is the motto, as with the fisheye, with the Lomo LC-Wide.

With a maximum aperture of f/4.5, the 17mm Minigon 1 ultra wide-angle lens of the Lomo LC-Wide isn’t exactly fast, but it has a closest focusing distance of only 40 cm.

The name “Minigon 1” is a mixture of the name of the lens of the Lomo LC-A (“Minitar 1”) and the ending “-gon” of popular wide-angle lenses (Hologon, Hypergon, Biogon, Distagon, Super Angulon, Flektogon, Topogon). Focusing is very fast, as there are only two focus settings (0.4 m to 0.9 m and 0.9 m to infinity).

The Lomo LC-Wide uses normal 35mm film (eBay / Amazon*). Color negative film, slide film, black and white film, Redscales or Lomography film are no problem. If the normal picture format is set, the film can also be developed at DM-Markt, Rossmann, Müller and Co. Exceptions are special requests like cross development and other image formats, there may be problems.

In addition to the normal image format (36 x 24 mm), where the wide-angle lens is particularly effective, square images (24 x 24 mm) and half-format images (17 x 24 mm) are also possible by inserting a mask. Whether the mask is really useful for square images, and the images cannot simply be cropped on the computer, is something everyone must decide for themselves. The format can only be changed without film in the camera and not in the middle of the film as with the Diana Mini.

The viewfinder of the Lomo LC-Wide shows only a part of the later image, so it is rather useless for the correct composition of the image. When taking pictures, you should make sure that your fingers are not in front of the lens or in the later image. You can orientate yourself by the elevation at the front. The fingers should be at the lowest point to avoid fingers in the photo.

The super wide angle camera has, like the Lomo LC-A+, an automatic exposure metering. This is powered by three LR44 (eBay / Amazon*) or A76 batteries and automatically sets aperture and exposure time.

As known from the Lomo LC-A+, the exposure time is not limited downwards. So you don’t have to do without the Lomo LC-Wide at night. The adjustable ISO range is also the same (ISO 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600).

The Lomo LC-Wide has connections for a tripod, a cable release and an external flash (e.g. Colorsplash Flash or Diana F+ Flash). A switch for double exposures or multiple exposures is installed on the bottom of the camera.

The Lomo LC-Wide comes in a fine wooden box with a cable release, 2 rolls of 35mm film, batteries, a hand strap, the masks for the different formats, a Lomo LC-A+ book, a Lomo LC-Wide book and an instruction manual. Its dimensions are 108 x 68 x 44.5 mm and without film and battery it weighs 220 grams. Not only does the LC-Wide look reminiscent of the LC-A+, it also feels similar to the touch.

Those who can’t afford the price of a hefty 349 euros should take a look at the La Sardina.

Different techniques and formats

Full format

Remove the masks from the Lomo LC-Wide and set the film advance control to “FF/S”, then the LC-Wide will expose 36 frames of 36 x 24mm each on a normal roll of film.

Square format

For the square format, the 24 x 24mm (S) plastic frame must be inserted and film transport slider set to “FF/S”. With the mask in place, you are simply masking out part of the image. You can’t fit more images on a roll of film than you can with full format.

Semi-format

When the half-frame mask is loaded and the film advance control is set to “HF”, the Lomo LC-Wide will expose twice the number of frames onto the film.

normal 12 frames = 24 half-frames

normal 24 frames = 48 half-frames

normal 36 frames = 72 half-frames

When the lens cover is half open, you get a slight taste of what the image will look like later. The half-frame feature can be used to tell small stories with two related images.

Endless Panorama

For Endless Panorama the film transport slider must be set to “HF” without the mask. Now open the lens cover still halfway and then just start snapping. The lab should not cut the film in the process.

Extreme Vignetting

For extreme vignetting, the camera must be set to full frame and the lens cap must be set to “HF” or must be half closed.

Accessories for the Lomo LC-Wide

Lomography LC-Wide Instant Kit

With the Instant Back, you have the shots right in your hand. The LC-Wide Instant Kit from Lomography is required to use the LC-A Instant Back+. It includes an extra viewfinder and correction lens.

The Instant Kit uses the still available Instax Mini Film* instant film.

Lomo LC-A+ Krab

The underwater housing for the Lomo LC-A+ can also be used with the Lomo LC-Wide. When using the Krab, a part of the housing can also be on the later photo, due to the super wide angle lens. With the red plastic housing, dives up to 20 meters are possible. Of course, the housing also protects the wide-angle camera from rain and bad weather.

The two focus settings of the LC-W are a big advantage over the LC-A+ (4 different settings). After the camera is in the housing, this setting cannot be changed. There it is advantageous to cover a wide range with one setting.

Sample photos

Video