Lubitel
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Lubitel refers to any of the several medium format twin-lens reflex cameras manufactured in Russia by LOMO. The design is based on the early 1930's Voïgtlander Brilliant camera with various improvements.
They are often considered "toy" cameras due to cheap price, bakelite and later plastic construction and low build quality. However the Lubitels use 120 film, feature Cooke triplet, all-glass lenses and shutter speeds can be set from Bulb to 1/250 of a second. Apertures vary from f/4.5 to f/22. These characteristics are closer to those of an amateur TLR of the fifties than a toy or disposable camera. They can achieve good results when the lens is stopped down but, as with any 3-elements lens, the results will be soft by today's standards at larger apertures.
Lubitel cameras are often used by art photographers or amateurs looking for a cheap introduction to medium format.
Models and years produced:
- The Komsomolets camera was a forerunner of the Lubitel. Unlike the Lubitel, it has a non-focusing viewfinder. It is a close copy of the Voïgtlander Brilliant.
- Lubitel TLR 1950-1956
- Lubitel-2 1955-1977
- Lubitel-166 1977-1980
- Lubitel-166 B 1980-?
- Lubitel-166 Universal 1984-August 1988 (production terminated)
