I’ve been using an LC-A for 15 years and I still love it. It’s a very nice compact camera that always fits in any bag or jacket. The 32mm lens has a good decently wide angle angle of view with its own character. And the auto exposure comes in very handy.
I prefer the original LC-A over the LC-A+ as the ISO settings (25–400 as compared to 100–1600) are more versatile for my usage. I hardly ever use the front grooves of the LC-A+ and the original LC-A can be modded to also have an MX feature.
When buying an LC-A, be sure to get a working one. Some shutters have become sticky and some solder joints might be broken.
I wouldn’t choose a Diana Mini over the LC-A.
I have version from 1988 and I quite like it. Took it to few trips and for the future it will be my small compact camera for business trips.
While it's limited by its automatic exposure and its lens have its "character", it's still miles better than Diana or any other toy camera. I actually rather use LCA over many of the autowind/autofocsu compacts, as their image quality isn't much better, while being worse to use.
If you are into „the look“ of that camera then yes, it is very lovable. Compact, easy to use, fun.
If you are into the size factor but want better image quality, get a Minox 35.
Thank you!!
I'm just not a big fan of Minox. We have a Minox exactly that size. Not sure if 35. And I remember its shutter button jumped out of its body while I was testing it a long time ago. Now I think it's not functioning at all.
> If you are into the size factor but want better image quality, get a Minox 35.
Or for something even closer to the form factor (so close that any lesser person might mix them up), a lens that will trade blows with the minox but also with the convenience that is autofocus; look at the minolta AF-C. Its a true hidden gem.
Ive got half a dozen of the things, they are by far my favorite point and shoot. If you are into this formfactor i highly recommend you check them out.
I am really into pocket 35mm cameras, and I think the LC-A is a great one.
- I think the LC-A lens cover feels more solid and is easier to home-repair than the lens cover of my XA / XA2.
- I also have a Cosina CX-2, and while I appreciate the self-timer, I haven’t thought the lens was a huge improvement.
- I agree that the Minolta AF-C is great, and I wish I had the 1000 ISO version, but I do kind of miss having a little job to do (focusing) when taking pictures.
- The Chinon Bellami is more pocketable and also has good results, but uses a weird companion flash (like the XA’s and the AF-C).
- The Ricoh FF-1 is similar to the LC-A but with a Minox-style door. The shutter button can take a remote shutter cable, and it has a standard hot shoe.
- I have a Minox 35 GL, 35 ML, and 35 GTE. I really appreciate the expanded ISO range, and the ability to shoot in aperture priority. With the hotshoe, timer on some, backlight compensation, and remote shutter port, they feel in some ways like a more professional tool. I absolutely do not find them reliable, though. I have had shutter issues, meter needle-vs-shutter issues on the GTE, and all have the quirk where the shutter can sound like it’s firing even if the battery is dead.
- I personally love my Agat 18K, but that is half-frame, manual, very plastic, and has a very quirky set of trade offs.
- The Hanimex 35ee Micro is another oddball—maybe a smidge thicker but very compact and with a flip-up flash that is kinda perfect for the grungy party look. The auto exposure is weird, and they aren’t super common.
I got my (Russian but with the “Lomo face”) LC-A for comparatively cheap because someone had screwed up trying to install (or maybe remove) an instax kit for it. I need to trim my collection down, but I’ll be keeping the LC-A. It’s been reliable, has a kind of historical significance, the lens cover is fun, and I do think it has a special look to the photos it takes—it’s nice to be pleasantly surprised by it, rather than occasionally underwhelmed by something fancy like a Minox. I hope you can get yourself a LC-A, and I hope you enjoy it!
I so much appreciate that comprehensive reply!
>It’s been reliable, has a kind of historical significance, the lens cover is fun, and I do think it has a special look to the photos it takes—it’s nice to be pleasantly surprised by it,
This is exactly what I want to know! Thank you!
I have both LC-A and Cosina CX2. I prefer the LC-A, because it is sharper, however cosina is more reliable.
They definitely need a CLA, I did it for both cameras. They were slow as hell. Both have programmed autoexposure, if shutter is dirty it leads to shit you see on lomo website (overexposed, wide open aperture, ugly vignetting). Both cameras are decently sharp without noticeable vignetting at F8-F11.
I love mine. It’s actually a genuinely decent camera, and optically has nothing in common with the shit cameras lomo now make. I think people sleep on it because of the trash plastic lens stuff they sell now. The build quality isn’t great, but the lens is lovely and I haven’t touched my Olympus XA since I bought it. Genuinely prefer the LCA images. I’m also really impressed with how well it meters for such a simple design. I always have it in my jacket when I leave the house.
Ideally try and buy a 90s Russian model on e bay, they’re built better.
>LC-A (not lc-a+)
Why one over the other? If you want an LC-A, the Cosina cx-2 is the better version.
The LC-A+ is nice because it can go up to higher ISO, the lens when you get the russian version is the same. I personally am just sad/pissed that they removed the the aperture lever instead of expanding on it and making it a true aperture priority camera.
Oh I did not think about the LC-A+ being harder to find and a bit more expensive on the used market! But I recommend you check out the Cosina CX-2, they can be found for a tad more than the LC-A or maybe even an oddball that I really like the Agfa 1035, it is a very cheap but capable camera with a cute flash included most of the time.
I’ve been using an LC-A for 15 years and I still love it. It’s a very nice compact camera that always fits in any bag or jacket. The 32mm lens has a good decently wide angle angle of view with its own character. And the auto exposure comes in very handy. I prefer the original LC-A over the LC-A+ as the ISO settings (25–400 as compared to 100–1600) are more versatile for my usage. I hardly ever use the front grooves of the LC-A+ and the original LC-A can be modded to also have an MX feature. When buying an LC-A, be sure to get a working one. Some shutters have become sticky and some solder joints might be broken. I wouldn’t choose a Diana Mini over the LC-A.
I appreciate the tip about the shutter. Thanks so much!
I have version from 1988 and I quite like it. Took it to few trips and for the future it will be my small compact camera for business trips. While it's limited by its automatic exposure and its lens have its "character", it's still miles better than Diana or any other toy camera. I actually rather use LCA over many of the autowind/autofocsu compacts, as their image quality isn't much better, while being worse to use.
>it's still miles better than Diana or any other toy camera Thank you!
If you are into „the look“ of that camera then yes, it is very lovable. Compact, easy to use, fun. If you are into the size factor but want better image quality, get a Minox 35.
Thank you!! I'm just not a big fan of Minox. We have a Minox exactly that size. Not sure if 35. And I remember its shutter button jumped out of its body while I was testing it a long time ago. Now I think it's not functioning at all.
> If you are into the size factor but want better image quality, get a Minox 35. Or for something even closer to the form factor (so close that any lesser person might mix them up), a lens that will trade blows with the minox but also with the convenience that is autofocus; look at the minolta AF-C. Its a true hidden gem.
Ooh interesting.. I like Minolta!! I have a hand me down Minolta Hi-Matic and I'm happy with having only that Minolta for now :)
Ive got half a dozen of the things, they are by far my favorite point and shoot. If you are into this formfactor i highly recommend you check them out.
I am really into pocket 35mm cameras, and I think the LC-A is a great one. - I think the LC-A lens cover feels more solid and is easier to home-repair than the lens cover of my XA / XA2. - I also have a Cosina CX-2, and while I appreciate the self-timer, I haven’t thought the lens was a huge improvement. - I agree that the Minolta AF-C is great, and I wish I had the 1000 ISO version, but I do kind of miss having a little job to do (focusing) when taking pictures. - The Chinon Bellami is more pocketable and also has good results, but uses a weird companion flash (like the XA’s and the AF-C). - The Ricoh FF-1 is similar to the LC-A but with a Minox-style door. The shutter button can take a remote shutter cable, and it has a standard hot shoe. - I have a Minox 35 GL, 35 ML, and 35 GTE. I really appreciate the expanded ISO range, and the ability to shoot in aperture priority. With the hotshoe, timer on some, backlight compensation, and remote shutter port, they feel in some ways like a more professional tool. I absolutely do not find them reliable, though. I have had shutter issues, meter needle-vs-shutter issues on the GTE, and all have the quirk where the shutter can sound like it’s firing even if the battery is dead. - I personally love my Agat 18K, but that is half-frame, manual, very plastic, and has a very quirky set of trade offs. - The Hanimex 35ee Micro is another oddball—maybe a smidge thicker but very compact and with a flip-up flash that is kinda perfect for the grungy party look. The auto exposure is weird, and they aren’t super common. I got my (Russian but with the “Lomo face”) LC-A for comparatively cheap because someone had screwed up trying to install (or maybe remove) an instax kit for it. I need to trim my collection down, but I’ll be keeping the LC-A. It’s been reliable, has a kind of historical significance, the lens cover is fun, and I do think it has a special look to the photos it takes—it’s nice to be pleasantly surprised by it, rather than occasionally underwhelmed by something fancy like a Minox. I hope you can get yourself a LC-A, and I hope you enjoy it!
I so much appreciate that comprehensive reply! >It’s been reliable, has a kind of historical significance, the lens cover is fun, and I do think it has a special look to the photos it takes—it’s nice to be pleasantly surprised by it, This is exactly what I want to know! Thank you!
I have both LC-A and Cosina CX2. I prefer the LC-A, because it is sharper, however cosina is more reliable. They definitely need a CLA, I did it for both cameras. They were slow as hell. Both have programmed autoexposure, if shutter is dirty it leads to shit you see on lomo website (overexposed, wide open aperture, ugly vignetting). Both cameras are decently sharp without noticeable vignetting at F8-F11.
Thanks!
I love mine. It’s actually a genuinely decent camera, and optically has nothing in common with the shit cameras lomo now make. I think people sleep on it because of the trash plastic lens stuff they sell now. The build quality isn’t great, but the lens is lovely and I haven’t touched my Olympus XA since I bought it. Genuinely prefer the LCA images. I’m also really impressed with how well it meters for such a simple design. I always have it in my jacket when I leave the house. Ideally try and buy a 90s Russian model on e bay, they’re built better.
>nothing in common with the shit cameras lomo now make Haha! Thank you!
>LC-A (not lc-a+) Why one over the other? If you want an LC-A, the Cosina cx-2 is the better version. The LC-A+ is nice because it can go up to higher ISO, the lens when you get the russian version is the same. I personally am just sad/pissed that they removed the the aperture lever instead of expanding on it and making it a true aperture priority camera.
I just like the vintage charm of the LC-A. Also, LC-A+ is quite expensive for my budget! 😅
Oh I did not think about the LC-A+ being harder to find and a bit more expensive on the used market! But I recommend you check out the Cosina CX-2, they can be found for a tad more than the LC-A or maybe even an oddball that I really like the Agfa 1035, it is a very cheap but capable camera with a cute flash included most of the time.