Lomogon

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We’re excited to be back on Kickstarter! Our 10th project to date, the Lomogon is a new classic for travel & street photography. Enjoy an exclusive 40% discount on its final retail price. Here’s why it’s unlike any other lens:

Introducing the Lomogon

Samples

We’ve created a lens to refresh street and travel photography. Introducing the Lomogon – with a 32 mm focal length to widen your world. But the Lomogon isn’t your standard wide-angle lens. In the age of black plastic equipment, hyper-communication, and digital saturation, we wanted this tool to put the adventure back into your everyday stories. We inspired ourselves from vintage optics for a retro design that sparks wanderlust from the outside, while producing timeless character from the inside.

“It’s giving you a look and a feeling that has been lost by a lot of modern designers. What it comes down to is character. These unique and distinct images that you just wouldn’t get with any standard camera – and you definitely couldn’t get with a phone, or anything in that range.” — Daniel Schaefer (Photographer & Optics Expert, New York)

Travel and Street Photography Revisited

For many, the first time you shoot with a wide-angle lens is like rediscovering photography. With a 32 mm focal length that comes very close to that of a human eye, and a closest focusing distance of only 0.4 m, you can approach your subjects intimately, fill the frame, and get that feeling of being “really there”.

“The wideness of the angle really gives you a rich photographic composition with a lot of details but it doesn’t deform your image. That’s really important.” — Julia Grandperret (Photographer, Paris)

“Shooting on a wide-angle lens is one of the most helpful things in the world.” — Geoff Thompson (Photographer, New York)

Featuring a Sleek and Fuss-free Aperture Mechanism

The Lomogon’s dial-styled aperture mechanism works with Lomography’s signature click-and-stop feeling, meaning that you can feel each aperture lock into place as you dial through them. Switching through apertures has never been simpler.

Wheel

What’s more? This dial-styled mechanism allows perfectly circular apertures – impossible to achieve with a blade system – and thus beautiful bokeh. It covers a range from f2.5 to f11.

“The aperture ring is great – it means the aperture is a perfect circle; which means that your bokeh’s going to be really, really nice.” — Kevin Meredith aka Lomokev (Photographer, Brighton)

“I love being able to change my aperture with the dial because it makes it such a quick transition. When the bands are moving and the lights are moving I can change my aperture just as quickly as they do, which makes for flawless continual photography.” — Coco Alexander (Photographer, New York)

A Carefully Crafted, Beautifully Designed Object

The Lomogon was developed together with the illustrious Russian manufacturer Zenit and assembled by hand with the finest glass optics in a small manufactory on the banks of the Yangtze river, Central China. This means that your shots will be crystal clear and sharply defined – every single time. We hope you enjoy the attention to detail and retro exterior, which is a nod to billowing sails, caravels and golden compasses.

“It has that sort of language that you just don’t get on modern objects and it gives you that sort of character that really builds on an elegant package; no matter what kind of work you’re looking to do.” — Daniel Schaefer (Photographer & Optics Expert, New York)

“The design is everything. I think that the exterior of the camera and the lenses definitely play a part in how excited the model is to have you photographing them.” — Ruby June (Photographer, New York)

Shaped by Round-The-World Adventures

The Lomogon has been developed with exploration in mind. From the tropical beaches of Thailand to the roar of Manhattan’s subway; from the fjords of Iceland to a dizzying Parisian games arcade, the Lomogon has been tested by photographers and videographers all over the globe – through photo series, music videos, documentaries and more.

“The only way to stay inspired for shooting photos in the street is by traveling or putting yourself in new surroundings, new environments, meeting new people. To stay inspired – I think that’s important.” — Adrian Morris aka Mowgli (Photographer, Barcelona)

“When compared with other DSLR lenses, the Lomogon is much lighter and much smaller, which makes it perfect for packing in your bag when you’re traveling.” — Wilson Lee (Photographer, Hong Kong)

A Great Tool for Filming, Too!

Praised not only for its photographic abilities, the Lomogon is also a brilliant lens for videographers and filmmakers looking to experiment. Allowing you to create special bokeh effects and adjust the depth of field all whilst filming, the Lomogon renders videos in a unique, cinematic look.

“I had a lot fun shooting between apertures. Instead of waiting for the click of the aperture dial when dialing between apertures, I paused between two options which allowed me to create particular bokeh effects.” — Alfredo Buonanno (Photographer & Videographer, Naples)

The LC-A Legacy

Celebrating 25 years of Lomography, the Lomogon’s character is inspired by the Lomo LC-A: the little camera which sparked the whole Lomography movement and aesthetic in 1992. It produced images with bold contrast, sweet saturation, and moody vignetting. Now the Lomogon recreates some of this classic look – but in high resolution, for digital and analogue SLRs. This aesthetic can also be toned down at smaller apertures for a more transparent look.

“The biggest thing about the LC-A was that lens – the fact that it let that huge amount of light it. So to then take this lens that I know so well and redesign it so it works with a DSLR… it’s a huge deal because it brings that aesthetic to the world of digital” — Kevin Meredith aka Lomokev (Photographer, Brighton)

So let’s raise our glasses to the LC-A camera – born in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1982 – and discovered in 1991 by a bunch of Viennese students, in an old junk shop in Prague. Those students were us, and The Lomographic Society International was born.

Let’s Get Technical

The Lomogon is a lens that is both at the height of technology and a glowing, nostalgic object. Constructed with six multi-coated lens elements in six groups, the Lomogon corrects optical aberrations to minimize distortion and improve micro-contrast, giving your shots richer colors and tone transitions. And as the closest focusing distance is 0.4 m, you’ll be able to capture even the tiniest of details in razor-sharp focus and beautiful high resolution.

Apertures

Compatible with Analogue & Digital Cameras

The Lomogon Art Lens is available with Canon EF and Nikon F mount. It is designed for full frame sensors but will also give great results when used on crop sensor cameras. It’s compatible with a great list of system and mirrorless cameras when using an adapter: Sony E mount, Fuji X, Micro 4/3, Canon RF, Nikon Z, and more!

Compatibility

If you are not sure whether the Lomogon is suitable for your camera, simply write us a message on Kickstarter and our friendly customer service will check it for you!

Help Us Create the Lomogon

We’re very proud to bring you a brand new Lomography Art Lens, and excited to be back on Kickstarter to share its creative process with photography enthusiasts worldwide. Over the past years, we’ve been working hard to make the Lomogon a flawless piece of photographic equipment. Nonetheless, there’s still more to be done. We hope you’ll join us in the last steps to completion by backing this project!

We’re humbled and inspired by the support we received for our last Kickstarter projects. As a thank you, we’re offering even bigger savings to backers of the Lomogon on Kickstarter. The Lomogon will retail at prices starting from 499 USD, but backers will save up to 40% on it, and all sorts of extras. We’re aiming to have the Lomogon ready for delivery by November 2019 (please note that this is an estimate only). With your support, the Lomogon will be a wide-angle lens unlike any other.

How to Back Our Project

Backing the Lomogon is as easy as one-two-three…

  1. During the campaign: Choose your tier from the exciting list of rewards we’ve put together, select your shipping country, and proceed to check-out. The money you’ve pledged will only be booked when the campaign is over and successfully funded!
  2. After the campaign: Once the campaign is over, we’ll send you a survey asking for the details of your pledge and your shipping address. Soon after that, you’ll receive an email which will allow you to choose your add-ons – that’s when you can purchase an adapter (Fuji X, Sony E-mount, Micro 4/3 cameras…) starting from 13 USD, as well as accessories with special Kickstarter discounts.

If you are a distributor or a store owner and would like to place an order on larger quantities, please reach out to us at help@lomography.com.

What the Hell is Lomography?

Established in 1992 by a group of footloose Viennese students, the Lomographic Society International is photography’s wild child. Fuelled by fiery passion and burning curiosity, we blasted off our free-spirited movement when we stumbled across the Lomo LC-A – the most popular Russian camera of the 1980s, now famed for its quirky aesthetic. We wasted no time at all and created our Ten Golden Rules, and we’ve dutifully followed them ever since. Today – with over 1 million creative members – Lomography is a license to let loose; an invitation to ignite your inspiration, and a platform to catapult your shots around the globe. Whether you’re a complete novice or a seasoned pro, we believe that you harness the power to create something incredible. From crazy color-shifting film to bespoke Art Lenses, innovative instants to classic analogue cameras we’re dedicated to designing and producing all the photographic tools you need.

Delivery Information

The Lomogon will be available for delivery in most countries around the world. Tracking links will be sent to all backers when their rewards start shipping.

For all shipping and handling details, please refer to the FAQs. If you’d like to back the project but your country isn’t listed in the dropdown menu upon checkout, or if you have any further questions about shipping, please feel free to contact us!

Risks & Challenges

We’re proud to have successfully funded and completed nine ambitious Kickstarter projects. We’re working hard to bring the Lomogon to life, but we’re aware that there’s always an element of risk involved in these kinds of projects. We’re dedicated to delivering a flawless piece of photographic equipment that fulfills your expectations. Our commitment to excellence means that the first shipment is set to go out in November 2019. Although we work closely with our manufacturers to ensure everything runs smoothly, unexpected delays in production and delivery are always a possibility. We promise to keep you informed every step of the way. We’re so ready to expand the Art Lens family and excited to be back on Kickstarter with you. We hope you’ll join us in making the Lomogon a reality!

FAQs

Who took all these breathtaking photos and videos, and starred in quite possibly the best three-minute film about travel and street photography that I have ever seen?

Coco Alexander, Julia Grandperret, Wilson Lee, Ruby June, Daniel Schaefer, Kevin Meredith aka Lomokev, Geoff Thompson, Adrian Morris aka Mowgli, Hector Ferreño, Hello America

What’s the estimated delivery date for the Lomogon 2.5/32 Art Lens?

We currently estimate that the Lomogon 2.5/32 Art Lens will be ready for delivery by November 2019.

How much is shipping for my location?

Here are the shipping and handling details for locations around the world:

USA, Canada: $0. Hong Kong: $10. EU: $16. Taiwan, Singapore, Macau, China, South Korea, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam: $15. Australia, New Zealand, Papa New Guinea, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Cyprus: $25. Ukraine: $40. Turkey: $50. Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Peru, Réunion, Venezuela: $100. Please note that if your shipping address is in Turkey or Russia, your pledge package might take up to a month longer than the delivery estimate given for your pledge tier to arrive. This is due to special importation requirements.

If you have a specific question about shipping, handling or local charges, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

Do I have to pay import fees or taxes for my shipment?

We will be distributing your pledge packages from shipping hubs in the EU, USA, Japan, and Hong Kong. As a result, backers from these regions will not have to pay additional import fees. We will ship packages to backers in South America, Africa and the rest of the world with TNT. TNT declares the goods, and customs check this declaration. The amount of tax you will have to pay will be calculated based on this declaration and varies from country to country. The value of the goods, their nature and transport goods are all factors which will determine the amount of tax you will have to pay. On top of this tax, TNT will charge you “Customs Administration Costs” to pay for processing the clearance of imported goods. Please note that these fees are not included in the Kickstarter Shipping fees listed on this page! We are organizing importation to Russia and Turkey through our local distributors. This means that there will be no import taxes on parcels to this area, but also that longer shipping times are to be expected.

What additional sales taxes will there be for backers from the USA and how should I pay them?

State and City Sales taxes will be collected after the campaign. An additional payment will be necessary before we can ship our items. We´ll send you a personalized link for this shortly before we start shipping out!

When and how do you collect the shipping information?

We’ll ask for your shipping information in a survey which is sent out after the Kickstarter campaign ends. We may send out this survey closer to the date that we begin shipping, rather than straight after the campaign in order to minimize the chance of backers changing their address between the survey being filled in and the lenses being shipped. So please don’t worry if you don’t receive your survey immediately after the campaign ends!

Can you indicate zero amount or lower value when shipping to me? I would like to avoid high customers costs.

We’re sorry, but we can’t declare your package as zero value or a gift with donation as customs require that this product be valued with a price. Please check the import duty fees with your local customs office as we cannot handle these types of fees.

Can I pay via PayPal?

This is not possible since Kickstarter only works with Stripe payments. If you are having persistent problems with payment, please send us a private message and we’ll do our best to help you sort out the issue.

When will my card be charged with my pledge amount?

You will only be charged once the Lomogon is successfully funded at the end of the campaign.

Can you give me more info on the rewards including a Trip?

We had such a great time with our Kickstarter backers who came to visit us in Vienna as part of their reward for our previous Kickstarter projects, and we can’t wait to meet some of you for another legendary week! We want to offer an authentic Lomography experience. That’s why our travel reward is a trip to Lomography HQ in Vienna! During the five days you’ll spend with us, you’ll be staying in a hotel in the heart of the city. We’ll take you off on a mystery trip, as well!

The trip is planned for May 2020 and covers the following expenses for one person (extra costs would apply for additional people): accommodation for five days, and meals and drinks for two days. You would cover your own flights and other expenses. If you cannot make the date, we’re happy to arrange for you to visit Vienna another time. However, the dates for any special events we organize are fixed.

If you have any questions at all about the trip, please message us! If you would like to bring additional people, this can be arranged but may involve extra costs (which would be organized after the Kickstarter campaign and before you come to Vienna).

Do you have any stretch goals for this project?

We have not planned any stretch goals for this campaign.

What is the planned retail launch price for the Lomogon 2.5/32 Art Lens?

The retail launch price of the Lomogon 2.5/32 Black Anodized Aluminium Art Lens is currently planned at 499 USD, For the Black Brass Edition the MSRP will be 549 USD and for the Shiny Brass Lens you´ll need to spend 599 USD. You can save up to 40% on Kickstarter compared to the final retail price!

How do I select which lens mount I want?

After the campaign has finished, we’ll send you a survey asking for your shipping address and lens mount Preference. You´ll be able to select between Canon EF & Nikon F. On top Sony E-mount, Fuji X & Micro 4/3 Lens adapters will be made available in a special backer deal after the campaign!

Can I get a lens mount adapter for my Lomogon 2.5/32 during the campaign?

Sony E-mount, Fuji X & Micro 4/3 Lens adapters will be made available in a special backer deal after the campaign!

Can you give me some more info on the other products included in the rewards?

Please find more information on the other products included in our rewards by following this link: microsite

Can I add add-ons to my pledge after the campaign has ended or when you send me my survey?

You will be able to choose your add-ons via an add-on link sent to all backers once the campaign is over and successfully funded. We’ll be offering adapters (Fuji X, Sony E-mount, Micro 4/3 cameras, etc.) as well as color filters, accessories and so much more!

How do I send a private message?

It’s super simple to drop us a message — all you have to do is click on the “Contact” button at the top of our main project page (just under the green “Back This Project” button).

What is the difference between the Lomogon and the other Lomography Art Lenses?

Although all Lomography Art Lenses are handcrafted using the finest optics, each delivers a distinctive character. The Lomogon delivers the vibrant colors, punchy contrast and soft vignetting of the original Lomo LC-A — but in higher resolution than ever before. Unlike our Petzval 85, Petzval 58 and Daguerreotype Achromat Art Lenses, which deliver beautiful, swirly bokeh backgrounds, the Lomogon has a wide-angle focal length that lets you get more of your background in focus. This allows you to capture every last detail of sweeping vistas, intimate close-ups and spontaneous street scenes whilst still enjoying soft bokeh at larger apertures. The Lomogon also boasts the closest focusing distance out of all our Art Lenses, meaning that your close-ups will be razor-sharp and minutely detailed. While the New Jupiter 3+ and New Russar+ are silver bodies designed for Rangefinder cameras, the Lomogon is made for (D)SLR cameras and available in sleek black and bold brass — a nod to billowing sails, caravels, and golden compasses. Although the Lomogon boasts a vintage outlook, it is still small and light enough to take on all your round-the-world adventures.

How does the dial-styled aperture mechanism work?

The dial-styled aperture mechanism is perfect for spontaneous shooting. It’s based on vintage lenses, which means that the Lomogon has a beautiful retro outlook. To change between apertures, all you have to do is turn the aperture dial. Thanks to Lomography’s signature click-and-stop feeling, you’ll be able to feel each aperture as it locks into place, which means that you can select an aperture whilst composing your frame.

Each aperture is perfectly circular. This means that you can enjoy beautiful bokeh in your shot — particular at larger apertures.

Is the Lomogon water/weather proof?

While your Lomogon lens will survive a little sprinkling of rain, it definitely isn’t waterproof.

What is the image circle of the Lomogon?

The image circle of the Lomogon is 44mm.

Is there going to be an option for electronic contacts on the Lomogon?

No, we have not designed the Lomogon to work with electronic contacts. The beauty of the Lomogon is that it’s fully manual. You can feel your aperture lock into place as you dial through the mechanism, and you focus using a helicoid mechanism.

Here at Lomography, we love fully manual lenses. They teach you to become adept in the subtleties of focusing and aperture, rather than relying on an automatic mechanism to set them for you. The Lomogon is a lens for journeys — not just around the world, but also on the path to finer photographic skills.

What materials are used on the Lomogon?

Unfortunately, as is the standard practice with all lens manufacturers, we cannot disclose all of the exact materials we used to manufacture this lens. However, we can tell you we’re creating the Lomogon Art Lens using the most suitable materials — i.e. brass and multicoated glass optics — and precise and professional engineering.

What is the weight and size of the Lomogon?

The exact weight and size of the Lomogon is still being calculated. We’re optimizing to make it as small and light as possible. You’ll definitely be able to pop it into a small bag and take it with you wherever you go!

Will the brass on the Lomogon corrode?

We are using a special varnish to avoid corrosion on the brass finish of the Lomogon Art Lens. Of course, if you use your lens every single day then eventually the brass will start to look a little aged — but it will age with beautiful patina. Your lens will look even more vintage!

How is the lens built?

Each and every Lomogon will be handcrafted in a small factory in China. The lens is constructed using six multi-coated elements in six groups. It is clad in a beautiful brass , black painted brass or black anodized aluminium finish, and available in Canon EF and Nikon F mount.

What adapters work with the Lomogon?

The Lomogon is compatible with a huge range of adapters. You’ll be able to purchase NEX, FX and MFT adapters for a significantly reduced price in our special backer deals after the end of the campaign. If you are unsure whether your camera will be compatible with the Lomogon, please check the “Let’s Get Technical” section above or send us a private message to check. We’re more than happy to help!

Can you tell me more about the legendary Lomo LC-A?

The original LOMO LC-A is the little Russian camera that sparked the globally-active creative photography movement known and loved as Lomography. Famous and adored for its sun-drenched images, the LC-A was the pioneer of what we now recognize as the definitive Lomo aesthetic — soft, moody vignetting; vibrant colors and sharp, punchy contrast.

In 1991 a group of Viennese students came across the LOMO LC-A in a quirky, old-school camera shop in Prague. They used it to shoot from the hip — going with the flow, abandoning the viewfinder and snapping at will. On developing their film, they were amazed by the unique aesthetic of their pictures — and inundated with people asking where they had found this amazing little camera. A year later, the Lomographic Society International was born.

A quarter of a century later, we’re bringing this distinctive aesthetic — and the freer, louder style of shooting that comes with it — to photographers and videographers around the world. We’ve reworked, augmented and beautifully ameliorated the original optic design of the LOMO LC-A to create the Lomogon, a lens that takes the Lomo look to digital and analogue SLRs.

Can I also use the Lomogon to create videos?

Yes! The Lomogon is perfect for shooting motion pictures. All of the videos on this page were created using the Lomogon, and testers around the world have used the Lomogon to create everything from music videos to documentaries. Thanks to its 32mm focal length the Lomogon lets you get more of your background in focus. This means that you capture every last detail of sweeping vistas, intimate close-ups and spontaneous street scenes. You can even experiment with the aperture dial while filming to create overlays and a completely distinctive aesthetic.

What is the difference between the Lomogon and the Lomo LC-A Minitar-1 Art Lens?

Both the Lomogon and the Minitar-1 are inspired by the original Lomo LC-A. They deliver vibrant colors, punchy contrast and soft vignetting. The Lomogon, however, delivers this distinctive aesthetic in higher resolution than ever before, and lets you tone down this look at smaller apertures. Unlike the Minitar-1, which is a rangefinder lens for cameras with Leica M mounts, the Lomogon is designed to be used with (D)SLR cameras with Canon EF and Nikon F mounts. While the Minitar-1 has a zone focusing system and lets you select your aperture using the aperture ring on the front of the lens, the Lomogon works with a classic focusing ring and a dial-styled aperture mechanism for a unique shooting experience.