Topic: Lubitels are not what they used to be!

[Francois]

Yep, Lubitels are not what they used to be. Ever since Lomo got their hands on the camera, we've all seen the prices shoot sky high. Last weekend during a trip to the camera store, I saw one on their small Lomography display. The camera was tied down with a steel cable so that tells you a bit how expensive they are. They were selling them 385$...

I started playing with it. The front plate was written in Cyrillic. Good point. But when I looked under it, I was surprised to find something missing. No "Made in Ukraine", no "Made in Russia", no "Made in USSR", no "Made in CCCP"... instead, it said Lomography "Made in China"!

For some reason, my heart sank a little. The camera did run smoothly... probably better than the original Russian models. But it just didn't have that little thing...

Oh well... things change...

[astrobeck]

that's a sad story.....

I bet it didn't smell funky either.
There is no match for the scent of an old Lubitel. 

Worn-out, tired and festered grease has it's own gritty charm I must admit.

[sethasaurus]

$385 ?
Holy... crap

[sapata]

The price is insane...
The Smena and Lubitel were first built with the purpose of being good and affordable cameras to the people...

I guess all lomography cameras are made in China now including the LCA... maybe the Horizon still made in Russia.

[Mike (happyforest)]

Wow!

I got mine some 20 years ago and it cost in the region of £12.

Actually should use it a bit more often.

Mike

[Mojave]

That is a sad story!

[Francois]

I guess it's lost its old skool Soviet charm forever...
And it was only slightly more expensive than buying it direct from the Lomo store in Toronto...

[Info Red]

I actually got a steal on an old version on the Bay about a month ago - 20 bucks!  And that included shipping!
I had been trolling for one to convert to a zone plate camera, but didn't want to spend almost $400 for one from Lomo; I'm a very happy guy!

IR

[Francois]

I guess I'll be sticking to my Yashica A for a very long time 

[sapata]

The good thing about Lubitel is that they're quite light comparing to others TLRs, you just throw in your bag and forget about. Not to mention the great sharp Lomo lens.

[Miles]

Good point, I love my TLR's but they are soooo heavy, especially the lovely Mam C'.  It makes the Yash 44 seem extra cute dispite limited film choice.  I should make that Gakkenflex too 

Not tried a Luby, was going to get one untill I saw the Toyocaflex and Photographica.

[LeonY]

I grew up in the Ukraine,my dad and myself used a few Zenit bodies(35mm slr) and i have used a made in CCCP Lubitel a few years back, i have to say if its being made in China, that will be a major improvement. The one Lubitel i tried was SOOOO shite! Im not knocking russian cameras, in fact most of them are amazing quality and last for decades!! I bought a 1979 made Zenit on ebay for $20 and after using it for 5 years passed it on to my cousin who has been using it now for a few years! it still works without fail! however the lubitels were shit(in my opinion_

[Suzi Livingstone]

I have an old one which broke. Anyone wanna buy it for $385? 

[Chalky]

ha. crazy prices. managed to get a 166b for £9 about 2 years ago, and once I got the hang of the focussing (well kind of worked out how it works) I have managed to get some nice shots with it.

shame it takes me about 2 mins to frame each one though, no candid shooting by me with it!

[Francois]

I have an old one which broke. Anyone wanna buy it for $385? 

Maybe you can pass it on the Lomo Extended warranty

[sapata]

I guess the Lubi is quite fragile comparing to other russian cameras (and has the worst focusing screen I've ever seen!) The shutter is fine and it seems to be made in a similar way (if not same...) to other russian cameras like Smena, the lens is fantastic and frankly is hard to understand they would put such quality optics in a piece of plastic. Nigel had some brilliant examples in this form in the past and I'm sure he will agree with me

The big problem I had with mine was the focusing lens getting misaligned with the lens, it took me a couple of rolls to realize it wasn't my mistake. In the end I fixed myself... relatively easy using tracing paper on the back of the camera and a measure tape.