Black Belair X 6-12 Lomography camera with Heliar lens and top viewfinder, folded configuration, on a white background

Belair X 6-12 Test

How does the Belair perform in a first test?

Since October it was possible to pre-order, and for some time the cameras have been delivered.
So here is a first small test of the Belair X 6-12 City Slicker from Lomography.

Lomography Belair X 6-12 medium format camera with 90mm lens, open with folding bellows, on white background
Flat lay of the Belair X 6-12 City Slicker camera kit on wood, showing lenses, frame masks, and folded camera body.
Belair X 6-12 and Lomo LC-A+ analog cameras side by side on a white surface, both black with Minitar 1 lens visible
Belair X 6-12 and Lomo LC-A+ black analog film cameras compared side by side on a white background
Belair X 6-12 with extended bellows beside a compact Lomo LC-A+ on a white background, studio product shot
Snowy forest stream in black and white, captured on Belair X 6-12 with 58mm lens, serene winter landscape
Black-and-white snowy forest scene with a flowing stream captured on Belair X 6-12 with 90mm lens, snow-laden trees and banks
Two Belair X 6-12 lenses, 1:8/90mm and 1:8/58mm, placed on a white background highlighting their black ribbed barrel design.
Warm golden light glowing through the viewfinder of a Belair X 6-12 camera fitted with a 58mm lens, rich analog film grain
Warm golden grainy view through the Belair X 6-12 viewfinder with 90mm lens, showing textured light framed by dark edges
Black-and-white photo of a snow-covered church tower in a European village, shot on Belair X 6-12 with 90mm lens in 6x9 format
Black-and-white photo of a snowy village street with a church tower, shot on Belair X 6-12 with 58mm lens in 6x9 format
Sepia-toned photo of a black cow standing in snowy field with mouth open, captured with Belair X 6-12 medium format camera

In pre-sale, the City Slicker was already around 179 euros, which is a great price for a new medium format camera. Meanwhile, you have to pay 249€ for the cheapest model. But in my opinion, this is still a reasonable amount for the camera's features. Also, one should consider that the cameras are not produced in millions.
Whether the surcharge of currently 50€ for the Jetsetter with metal body is worthwhile, I cannot say, as I have not had it in hand yet.

If you want to shoot panoramas on medium format film. If you like to shoot with different formats and want only one camera. If you hate external light meters or estimating exposure. If you want a camera that looks impressive. If yes, then the Belair X 6-12 is certainly worth a closer look.

But if you want to know what the camera does, if you shoot mostly 6x6 and want a really robust camera, then the Belair is not necessarily a recommendation.

All shots were taken without a tripod. The film used was Fomapan 100. Developed for eight minutes in Rodinal/R09 One Shot.

12 120 CAMERA SYSTEM ▲ SAFETY BACKING ▲