Lomography Lomo'Instant White - Instant Film Camera

Product Information

We took hundreds of photos with the 13 most promising instant cameras on the market in a quest to find the best methods for documenting your next adventure. We brought our cameras to dimly lit parties, bright and sunny beach days, and everything in between, all to assess how each performs in a wide range of conditions. We also dove into every advanced setting and creative mode each model offers. Our results cover everyone, from bargain hunters to those seeking the best picture quality to creatives who want as many artistic options as possible. The Baby Diana 110 recreates this nostalgic toy camera feel, but with modern construction that’s less hit and miss than buying a vintage spy cam. 3. Holga 120N Medium Format Film Camera Generally speaking, exposure is well balanced - but there are times when it’s off, and adding exposure compensation would have helped - of course by the time you realise that after the print has come out, it’s too late. When using the close-up lens, focusing is a little hit and miss. Even though it promises to be able to focus as close as 10cm, I struggled to replicate this in the field - it may be something which you need to practice more to get the desired effect.

The wide aspect ratio makes the Wide less of a point-and-shoot than Lomo’s other cameras, as you have to think more about framing and composition. Still, if you take your time (and don’t mind lugging its considerable frame around) the results have just that bit more impact than the square alternatives.Auto mode lets the camera adjust aperture (f/4.5- f/22), shutter speed and flash output. The Automat has a remote built into its lens cap, so you can more easily take group shots or exposures up to 30 seconds. (It has a tripod mount, too.) Zone focusing helps measure the proper distance for the best shot, and we liked its optical viewfinder. The camera and remote use two different batteries (sold separately).

The Automat offers full automatic exposure. Its ambient light meter does a great job nailing exposure with consistency, and you can choose whether or not to fire the flash for a shot. Full manual controls aren't available, but there is a Bulb shutter setting, which keeps the shutter open as long as you hold the release down.

Our Verdict

Fans of Fujifilm’s Instax instant film format should pay attention to Lomography. The company has a growing library of cameras that use Instax, all of which offer more creative control than you get with models from Fujifilm.

As with most Lomography cameras, physical controls are kept to a minimum, but these all feel well placed and intuitive. As is very often the case with Lomo products, the best way to describe the results from the Lomo'Instant Square is “mixed”. In other words, with a camera like this, you can’t, and shouldn’t, expect to get perfect results with every shot - which some people will argue is all part of the Lomo charm. The protruding viewfinder is very much designed for right-handers and is a little awkward for lefties. Looking for an instant camera? You're not alone. Instant film is as popular today as it's ever been. Fujifilm and Polaroid are still around making Instax and I-Type films, respectively, along with the cameras to match. Let’s be honest, nobody is buying a Lomo camera for stunning image quality, but rather the fun and nostalgia which it invokes.

The Wide format prints come out of the top of the camera and have a bit more impact than their square format rivals. A variety of manual controls include the ability to take multiple exposures and a long exposure mode that keeps the shutter open for up to 30 seconds. The camera has a self-timer, as well as a remote control that detaches from the camera (and requires its own battery). The ActionSampler is a riff on a classic toy camera concept. Instead of taking one picture per 35mm frame, this camera takes four. There are a few other controls on the rear. The Flash button turns the flash on or off—you won't need it outdoors unless you need to add some fill to eliminate shadows. It's joined by MX, which stops film from being ejected automatically after a shot so you can combine multiple exposures on the same image. There's also the the aforementioned EV control, and a Mode button to change between standard and Bulb exposure. And finally there's a 10-second self-timer option. That budget camera will be more than enough for you to start creating images that will be recognized for their quality in the lomo scene.