Lomo Fisheye Impressions

Back in December 2005, when my father asked me what I would like for the Holidays, I was stumped. Having had a full time job as a developer, money was coming in, and there wasn't much on my wishlist. While browsing the web, I came across a photoblog in which the artist published a picture captured on a Lomo LC-A. I had seen shots done on a Lomo before, but I never imagined they could look this good.

I wanted a Lomo. I searched and found something even better. I found the Lomo Fisheye. After seeing some of the shots taken with it, I was hooked. I had to have one. Fisheye photography has always been an interest to me, but lenses aren't cheap. The Lomo Fisheye on the other hand is very reasonable.

Labeled by many as a "toy camera", the Lomo Fisheye is made of plastic and comes with a 170° non-removable plastic lens. Images are distored into a circular image that most of the time gets cut off on the top and bottom. An integrated flash uses one AA battery, and puts out enough light to illuminate a capture in a completely dark room. Though, it is definitely a camera for use in bright sunshiny conditions.

The Lomo Fisheye is definitely a "from the hip" camera, and is quite suitable for interesting street shots, portraits and, of course, the venerable nose closeups that have embarrassed friends of fisheye lens users for decades.

After getting one, I shot my way through 4 rolls of film, two of which were ruined by my "don't break this" mentality that plaugued me when it came time to rewind the film. The Lomo, as stated, is entirely made of plastic and the rewinding mechanism is in my opinion shoddy at best. There is an indicator on the flip up handle that points you in the right direction to rewind, however, when rewinding you feel as though you're stripping the gears and busting the camera. It took me a few rolls of ruined film to trust it, but now that I do, I'm super happy with it.