mystery camera

Found in effects an OMO LUBITEL 2. T22 4.5/7.5 CAMERA. It has a twin lens and is viewed from above. It looks vintage and has its own plastic case and is obviously a film camera. Can anyone tell me anything about this camera.

Ah, the Lubitel, just about the cheapest Twin Lens Reflex ever made. There are various versions, but they all amount to the same thing - cheap and cheerful.

Put in a 120 film and you too can get moderately sharp images, but you'll also need a fair amount of photographic esxpertise to get the best out of this camera. No automation or help of any kind!

Thanks John..perhaps that is why it has been hidden for so many years. Do I just dump it??

NO! Don't dump it! Search Fleabay to find out why! For some reason they are still sought after (though to be fair the lens wasn't all that bad, pretty reasonable in fact). A new Lubitel 166 retails for a quid short of sixty, and the older and better made 2 can fetch almost as much.

The Lubitel has become a cult camera amongst those who are seeking to use older cameras with film and lenses with character. B&W photography magazine had an article on them last year. Load it up with some B&W roll film and go and have some fun. Aim for moody and atmospheric as you'll not be getting pin sharp photos!

Cheers, Kris.

Guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A new Lubitel is £260 - I kid you not! Lee Frost is a big fan. For that kind of money I'd rather have a 50 year old Rollieflex, though.

£260? Are you sure? I've seen them for 59 quid!

Someone's putting hope above reason asking for that much, surely!

I'm aware that there is a new new model of the Lubitel that has just been released and it is more expensive, but just offhand I didn't take much notice so can't remember the price.

The Lubitel 166+ kit (don't know what's in the kit) is almost £300.00.

Peter, its actually even more: £360 with 20 rolls of film.

And here it is: link

For £250 you could get a Pentax 645 which even has the image the right way round in the viewfinder!

Look what inflation and exchange rates have done, added £100 in two hours.

I think the main point rhayles is USE IT!!

If you can find a proper camera shop (not Jessops) they may have somebody who can show you how to load/unload film and who has some idea of how it works.

good luck

They're probably made under licence . . . in Zimbabwe.

They'll be a few thousand pounds in a couple of weeks, grab a bargain while you can.

Having a look at that Lubitel 'microsite' has almost made me want to get either of my Lubitels out.

Dan

Thanks guys. Facinating. It looks a complicated beast. Yes! I did try it with odd results. What is concerting is that you have to remember after each shot to wind on. I think at least half of the shots were double exposed. Not sure I did anything right. The results are long in the bin. Maybe someone would welcome this. If I decide, and I am not sure yet, to put it on fleabay, what would the sensible starting price be. If I cannot master this beast thaen someone somewhere might want to take up the challenge. Presumably this takes 120 roll film. regards RON.