LOMO Smena 35, Converted To Black & White, II

Analog Diary: Film photography favorites, black-and-white conversion from images with a vintage LOMO Smena 35, a mechanical plastic body 35mm scale-focus film camera, the final iteration of the legendary Smena line of cameras.

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Another batch of images was shot on an outing with the Smena 35, a very interesting Russian LOMO 35mm viewfinder film camera. Often available at the lowest of prices at auction sites, and manufactured with its all-plastic body, the LOMO does come with a fascinating lens.

The Triplet T-43 40mm F4 is a highly regarded '3 lens anastigmat' built-in coated glass kit lens with aperture settings from F4 to F16 and a shutter speed range from 1/15 to 1/250 second and B.

The shutter on the camera is cocked separately from the film wind and can be operated independently and repeatedly over a single film frame, making multiple exposures, both intentionally or unintentionally, interestingly possible.

I have yet to go into this mode with my review unit, and will probably plan for it fairly soon.

LOMO Smena 35

These images were shot on a roll of expired Kodak ColorPlus 200, scanned, and post-processed initially on the defunct Olympus Viewer 3 (OV3). The conversion and final enhancement of the black-and-white images were done on Microsoft Photos.

LOMO Smena 35, Converted To Black & White, I

Analog Diary: Film photography favorites, images with a LOMO Smena 35, a plastic 35mm scale-focus camera by the Soviet LOMO plant, revered for its surprisingly sharp 40mm f/4 Triplet T-43 lens.

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Took these images with the LOMO Smena 35 on a roll of expired Kodak ColorPlus 200, had the images scanned and post-processed initially on the defunct Olympus Viewer 3 (OV3), and did the print conversion and enhancement on Microsoft Photos.

For those who are familiar with the all-plastic LOMO Smena 35, the Triplet T-43 40mm F4, as we know it, is quite a highly regarded '3 lens anastigmat' built-in coated glass kit lens fitted to the Smena series cameras.

The same lens is built on Smena models 6, 7, 8, 8М, Smena-Rapid, Smena-SL, Smena-Simvol, Smena-19, Smena E, Smena 20, and Smena 35. These cameras were first manufactured by GOMZ in 1953, and later by MMZ and LOMO.

As for the post-editing bit itself, working on Microsoft Photos was not a well-traveled workflow for me, and this was actually the first time I was using the apps for the conversion.

LOMO Smena 35

The ease of use, however, and the resulting images, which are easily manipulated for Light, Color, and Clarity, and Vinegtte for a bit of peripheral darkening, have it all going for me.

LOMO Holga 120Pan, Trying To Get It Right II

Panoramas: Getting it right with the Holga 120Pan, a lightweight, plastic medium-format panoramic film camera, on a roll of expired Fujifilm Pro 160-S.

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Well, here I am, back again with the Holga 120-Pan at the park right near where I live, and as per my previous visit, I had the camera loaded with a roll of expired Fujifilm Pro 160-S.

The Holga 120-Pan is a medium-format 6x12 panoramic camera released around 2010. Its form factor is based on the Holga 120-WPC pinhole camera body, as can be seen by the same field of view lines on top of the body.

The camera comes with an attached viewfinder, two hot shoes, and a level bubble, features that make the Holga almost a complete contraption, all set and ready for tilt and yaw adjustments.

Holga 120-Pan

The 90mm optical lens has the same four focusing distance positions as seen on other Holgas as well - 1M,  2M, 6M, and 10M-Infinity. Same as other Holga cameras, it has a single (N) 1/100 second shutter with a B(ulb) setting. The film back has a fixed film counter window.

Holga 120-Pan

To get the correct frame count, the film must be advanced to the next odd-numbered exposure number; otherwise, the film will not be properly forwarded to cover the panoramic film frame, and overlapping exposure will occur. An optional 35mm film kit is also available, which can expose 24 x 108mm images.

LOMO Holga 120Pan, Trying To Get It Right I

Panoramas: Getting it right with the Holga 120Pan, a lightweight, plastic medium-format panoramic film camera, on a roll of expired Fujifilm Pro 160-S.

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The Holga 120-Pan, similar to its sibling Holga 120-GN, is a very lightweight, simplistic camera that comes in a plastic body that is susceptible to light leaks, a 90mm optical lens, a single shutter speed of 1/100th second, and two aperture settings, f/8 and f/11.

The Holga 120 Pan, however, takes 60x120mm panoramic images on 120 format color or B&W film, which is twice as wide as the square 6x6 format.

Focusing is adjustable to 4 zones - portrait, small group, big group, and infinity. Interestingly, the camera is fitted with a clear-line viewfinder fixed to the top plate and a spirit level embedded within the top plate towards the left of the top plate.

Holga 120-Pan

The film back, with the red film frame count window set for 12 and 16 (glued fixed) frames, is clearly from the GN model; the 120-Pan can only take up to 6 shots per 120 film roll. In use, with nothing much by manual control or other adjustments, all you have to do is set the camera level and steadiness before pressing the shutter.

LOMO Holga 120GN, The Golden Hour

Analog Diary: Film photography favorites, images with a vintage LOMO Holga 120GN, a lightweight, plastic medium-format toy camera featuring a 60 mm glass lens, manual zone focusing, and a hot shoe for external flash.

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These images were shot on the Holga 120GN, scanned, and tweaked for Auto Tone Correction, Crop, and Tilt Adjustment to adjust for scanning error, Brightness & Contrast, Gamma, Hue & Saturation, Sharpness & Blur, and Noise Reduction on the Olympus Viewer 3 (OV3).

The Holga 120GN is a plastic, fixed-focus, medium format camera fitted with a 60mm zone focus, glass lens, as designated by the GN model identification. It comes with only one shutter speed, 1/100th sec, and a selection of two aperture settings, f/8 and f/11. Also fitted is a flash hot shoe.

Holga 120 GN

A flash version of the camera is also available. The kit also comes with a stylish thin fabric strap, but not the black duct tape, recommended for sealing up light leaks.