LOMO

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This article is about the optical manufacturer. For the camera, see Lomography.

LOMO or Ленинградское Оптико-Механическое Объединение (Leningrad Optical Mechanical Amalgamation) is a manufacturer of advanced optical instruments, medical equipment and consumer cameras, based in St. Petersburg, Russia.

[edit] History

Founded in 1914 as the Russian Optical and Mechanical Company, it manufactured gun sights during World War I. Today LOMO makes military optics, scientific research instruments, criminological microscopes, medical equipment, and a range of consumer products. It produced the first Russian camera in 1930.

Known as GOMZ (State Optical-Mechanical Plant), the company was transformed under the directorship of Mikhail Panfilov, who united several industries and founded the LOMO Association in 1962. Panfilov was the General Director until 1984, when he retired and was replaced by Georgy Khizha as Director General. In 1990 - 1997 Ilya Klebanov was the Director General of LOMO Association.

The company went public in 1993, and was renamed LOMO PLC; it is traded on the RTS Classic Stock Market.

The company is ISO 9001 certified and exports world-wide. Night-vision devices and telescopes account for 30% of the company's exports. Germany is the largest importer of LOMO products. Medical equipment, fiber optic cables and Endoscopes, optical components and cameras are consumed mainly by the Russian market and other states of the former Soviet Union. Military equipment and science research instruments make a significant share of production for export to such countries as Israel, India, USA, Canada, Mexico, and other international markets.

Its Maksutov telescope range is highly regarded by amateur astronomers.

The word LOMO is often used to refer to the Lomo LC-A and other LOMO branded consumer cameras; while the cameras have a large following around the world, the cameras themselves are a minor product for LOMO PLC.

For more information about LOMO branded consumer cameras such as Zenith and Smena 8M, see lomography.

In 1980 - 1990,

LOMO is also currently a manufacturer of die-cast models in 1:43 scale. LOMO factory mass produces 1:43 scale models of the 1930's-1950's vehicles on AMO, ZiS, ZiL and GAZ chassis.

[edit] Social standing

LOMO is regarded in St. Petersburg for its advanced medical centre, with well equipped facilities for advanced treatment of a range of medical conditions. LOMO medical centre has a steady reputation in general surgery and trauma, oncology and radiology, OB/GYN, pediatrics, physical therapy and other specialties of medicine.

Medical instruments, such as Endoscopes and Surgical Microscopes made by LOMO are used by the doctors at LOMO medical centre, thus helping a prompt feedback from doctors to engineers and designers of medical equipment.