With the wide variety of options that lomography offers, it is understandably confusing for a newbie to decide which camera to get. The good thing is that most lomos are point-and-shoot cameras. Almost all of the camera settings such as lens focus and aperture are fixed, all one has to do is advance the film, pick a shot, and shoot! So when someone asks me to recommend cameras for newbies, I always say that he/she could start out with ANY camera and it will boil down to personal preference. I ask them a couple of questions to determine what they like about Lomography and from those answers, I suggest suitable cameras.
If you would like to find out what my suggestions for your preferences are, answer the questions below and see my corresponding camera recommendation(s). Please note that these suggestions are based on my own and my friends' personal experiences. By no means do I claim to be an expert on lomography and my suggestions may not always match your preference.
1. What do you like about the lomo photos?
a. Funky colors
The saturated colors that lomo shots produce are a combination of the camera, film used and sometimes, modifications made on the camera. The simplest way to get unusual hues is to tint the flash with colored filters. The cameras below have either a built-in colorsplash flash or a hotshoe which can accommodate a colorsplash flash.
- Colorsplash Camera
- Holga 120CFN
- Colorsplash Flash and a camera with a hotshoe (Holga 120N, Holga 135BC, Fisheye 2)
b. Vintage-ish appearance
My first try at Lomography was with a Colorsplash Camera with expired rolls of film that my sister had lying around the house. I brought it on a trip to Bohol with friends. What came out were yellowish, grainy and old-looking photos. My friends and I were pleasantly surprised with the results because it seemed that the pictures were taken ages ago when in fact it was taken just weeks ago. In my opinion, this vintage-y feel gives the pictures more character. What would have been an ordinary touristy shot of you in front of a famous landmark becomes more interesting because of the vignettes (blurring of the outer edges of the shot), film grain and unusual colors. I found that most of the single lens cameras, paired with expired film usually gives the vintage-y look. These single lens cameras have proven to give the occasional vignettes which give an added softer look to the shot.
- Colorsplash Camera
- Holga Camera
- Diana +
c. Multiple shots in a single frame
A signature look of lomography is multiple shots in a single frame. Ranging from 4 to 9 sequential or identical shots, these cameras are especially fun to use for capturing in-motion shots. So if you can't keep still long enough for a shot to be taken, these cameras are for you.
- ActionSampler or CyberSampler (takes 4 sequential square shots)
- ActionSampler with Flash (takes 4 sequential square shots with sequential firing of flash)
- Oktomat (takes 8 sequential square shots)
- SuperSampler (takes 4 sequential vertical/rectangular shots)
- Pop9 (takes 9 identical static shots)
2. Where will you take your lomo camera?
a. Indoor/Evening Gatherings
Bring your lomo cameras to gatherings and put it on the table. This will make a great conversation piece. Once you get everyone interested in your camera, get them to pose for you. Do not let the lack of daylight stop you from taking those lomo photos. Fire up your flash and take up close shots. These cameras will surely make you the life of the party.
- ActionSampler with Flash
- Colorsplash Camera
- Holga 120CFN
- Fisheye 2
- Frogeye
- Colorsplash Flash with Holga 120N, Holga 135BC
- Pop9
b. Sunny Outdoors
Cameras that do not have a flash thrive best under sunny conditions. Under the bright rays of the sun, sequential multi-lens cameras take sharper in-motion shots. If you prefer to take still shots, I would suggest using single lens cameras as these will take in more detail and will give you the occasional vignettes.
Multi-lens:
- SuperSampler
- Oktomat
- ActionSampler or CyberSampler
Single Lens:
- Fisheye 2
- Colorsplash Camera
- Holga
c. Beach/Pool (Underwater)
Amphibious lomo cameras let you have fun above water, underwater or anywhere in between. So for water babies, I suggest these waterproof cameras so that they may take it along with them virtually anywhere.
- Frogeye
- Fisheye 2 + Fisheye Submarine
d. Everywhere!
These cameras are the most versatile because you can take them almost anywhere without having to worry about light conditions.
- Holga
- Colorsplash Camera
- Fisheye 2
- ActionSampler with Flash
- Pop9
3. Usually, what is the subject of your photos?
a. People
Personally, I have the hardest time taking face shots. My shots have the tendency to look ordinary when I use a single-lens camera. To prevent this, I usually use cameras that always give you a distinctly lomo effect every time. So even if your subjects will give nothing but run of the mill smiles and poses for your lomo cam, your shots will still have the lomo effect. These cameras are trademark lomo whatever your subject may be.
- Fisheye 2
- ActionSampler or CyberSampler
- ActionSampler with Flash
- Oktomat
- Supersampler
- Pop9
- Colorsplash Camera
b. Natural Scenery
Sunsets, shores and landscapes are some of the popular subjects under this category. For some, these subjects may be too worn-out. But for me, these cameras paired with a different trick every time always produces unexpected and interesting results.
- Holga
- SuperSampler
- Frogeye
- Fisheye 2
c. Architecture/Landmarks
I find famous landmarks or buildings rich in history very interesting. Given the history, I tend to favor my lomos that are prone to vignettes because I get an old-feel that perfectly matches the history of the structure. But that's just me. These cameras will give a different and fresh perspective of renowned landmarks.
- Holga
- Colorsplash Camera
- Fisheye 2
d. Things in Motion
The sequential multi-lens lomo cams let you take a series of shots over a period of time. If you prefer capturing subjects while in motion, these cameras' sequential shutter firing is the way to go.
- ActionSampler or CyberSampler
- ActionSampler with Flash
- SuperSampler
- Oktomat
For more information on each camera, please visit: http://ina202.multiply.com/photos/album/45/Lomo_Cameras_for_Sale_94
