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This 35 mm Russian compact classic produces unmistakable photographs bursting with life, deep saturation, punchy contrast and shadowy vignettes that make it a beloved snap-shooting legend across the globe.

This is a seriously spruced up version of Lomography’s first Russian camera, the Lomo LC-A. Signature features which made the LC-A such a sought-after classic – the lightning-fast zone focusing and on-point automatic exposure; the pocket size, robust analogue looks and the all-important Minitar-1 glass lens – were faithfully reproduced and passed on to the LC-A+ and we added a few experimental features of course. Whether you’re an analogue newcomer or a seasoned Lomographer, the Lomo LC-A+ is a must have in any photographer’s arsenal.

History

The whole Lomographic phenomenon began on a sunny St. Petersburg morning back in the 80s. Two gentlemen examined a rather nifty little Japanese compact camera called the Cosina CX-2 and gave orders that an improved copy should be produced en masse for the Soviet people’s snapshooting pleasure. The Lomo LC-A was, in truth, a real (and rather cheeky) copy of the Cosina. It was the greater potential of its sharp glass lens, extremely high light sensitivity and robust casing that impressed the USSR Minister of Defense and the Director of the LOMO Factory. Hence with some tweaking here and there – the Lomo LC-A was born.

1981: The Japanese Cosina CX-2 is released.

1982: LOMO PLC completed the first working sample of the Lomo LC-A in St. Petersburg, the former USSR.

1984: The first Lomo LC-A series went into mass production. Initially, 1100 units were manufactured each month, solely for the Russian market. The Lomo LC-A quickly found its way into the hearts and pockets of the photograph-enthused Russians and after a short time was exported to then Communist countries such as Ukraine, Poland, Czechoslovakia and even Cuba.

1991: Weakened by flashy imports from Asia, the Lomo LC-A was out of production and available only at quirky, old-school camera shops. However, it was at an establishment such as this that a group of Austrian students discovered the Lomo LC-A in Prague, Czechoslovakia and their passion for relentless experimental shooting began. They wandered through the capital taking in the newfound Czech democracy.

1992: After seeing its incredible images, the demand on the streets for a Lomo LC-A camera exploded! Soon, the best sources (and worst-guarded security posts) of the former Eastern Bloc were employed for the clandestine import of these little wonders. The Lomographic Society was founded in Vienna, with the aim of spreading the message of Lomography throughout the globe. Exhibitions, parties, workshops and tours helped to expose as many willing participants as possible to the Lomographic lifestyle. The whole progression was more spontaneous and reactive than could have ever been predicted. There was one little problem with this gloriously expanding demand – an ever-diminishing supply of the Lomo LC-A. To find the solution, our intrepid “Wieners” journeyed to the horse’s mouth – the LOMO Optics factory of St. Petersburg. Relating the news of the worldwide Lomographic explosion, the Society members successfully convinced the LOMO factory heads to begin full production of the amazing Lomo LC-A once again – ensuring that all the hungry Lomographers across the world would be guaranteed a steady supply of this Russian analogue wonder.

1994: Disaster struck and all camera production at LOMO PLC was stopped. As only 30 employees were working on the Lomo LC-A, production of the camera was discontinued and the entire department was shut down. At exactly this point, just as the future of the LOMO PLC factory was more uncertain than ever and approximately 15,000 workers were forced to leave the company, a group of fresh-faced Lomographers went to Moscow to present an exhibition of their Lomographs.

1995–1997: The future of the Lomo LC-A was negotiated in St Petersburg. For the time being, LOMO PLC delivered 1,000 cameras each month to Austria. However, as the young Austrian business grew quickly and Lomographers demanded more cameras, the price per camera was suddenly raised by 50% in St Petersburg! This was due to the fact that the former Soviet Union split, energy prices rose and production as a whole significantly changed for Russian enterprises, which were now in the capitalist world. Tough negotiations followed and the Lomographers found themselves sat in front of the Vice-Mayor of St Petersburg – a chap named Vladimir Putin – who convinced the LOMO PLC officials to recalculate and finally in 1997 production of the Lomo LC-A was resumed.

2005: Early in the year, the Lomographic Society received some dire news. The LOMO Optical factory was to cease all production of the Lomo LC-A camera. As their overall production became more specific and high-tech, they could no longer support the small niche fabrication of a single (yet priceless) little camera. At first, the Lomographers were crushed by the news – but a plan soon came together. We would re-build a new Lomo camera incorporating both the beloved features of the original and a whole host of new tricks.

2006–2007: The Lomo LC-A+, an enhanced version of the original Lomo LC-A, is released. It bore all the characteristic qualities of its ancestor plus new awesome features to boot. This copy of a copy of a copy is now almost entirely produced in China.

2009: The Lomo LC-A’s first 25 years were wholeheartedly celebrated with the release of the LC-A+ 25th Anniversary and a South Korean-designed “No Nukes” limited editions as well as parties, projects, workshops and all manner of Lomographic happenings.

2010: Two limited editions were created – the LC-A+ White & the LC-A+ Gold. Also in this year, 10 groups of film-fanatics from around the world teamed up to join the great LC-A Race – a race from the four corners of the globe back to Lomography headquarters in Vienna, armed only with a GPS, a notebook and an LC-A+ camera.

2011–2014: Firstly, we unleashed the world’s widest compact camera, the Lomo LC-Wide; the latest innovation in the LC-A family. Featuring a newly developed 17 mm Minigon-1 Ultra-Wide-Angle lens. Then we went on to launch the LC-A+ Instant Camera turning the iconic LC-A+ and into an instant snap-shooting success.

2021: We celebrated 15 years of the LC-A+ with a host of analogue activity and film-filled offers. With other big manufacturers steadily halting production, the LC-A+ is now the only programmed automatic 35 mm analogue camera still being produced today. This legendary snapper continues to grow in stature and popularity due to its ability to render that legendary analogue aesthetic we all know and love.

A Family Affair

The Lomo LC-A Family grew to include some very prestigious additions including the LC-Wide and LC-A 120 as well as a roster of special limited editions and awesome analogue accessories.

Read All About It

The full riveting Lomo LC-A story can be found in the enormous and encyclopedic LC-A Big Book, along with literally thousands of LC-A photos taken from the world’s Lomographers and the Lomography Worldwide Archive. Two years in the making, this unrivaled visual history and homage to the most charismatic of analogue cameras brings together the complete, never-before-published, 25-year history of the Lomo LC-A. From its creation in 1980s St Petersburg and the struggle to keep production going, through to its Lomographic rebirth in China as the beloved Lomo LC-A+.