The
Lomo SuperSampler is a simple and basic fun camera with 4 lenses that
takes 4 panoramic photos, 9x24mm, on one frame. It had a very short life
cycle. This is the second version of a Lomo action sampler, there was an
ActionSampler before which is still available. On the front it is marked
"AS 3.0", as if to say that it's the 3.0 version of an action sampler.
Its
main features are:
4x
20mm wide lens, F11, fixed focus, 30 cm - ∞
Shutter
1/100, Standard
mode: 4 pictures in 2 s, High-Speed mode: 4 pictures in 0.2 s Size 102x64x32, Weight 142 gr.
Camera with manual.
It has never been used, there is still the sticker on the strap
admonishing you to pull gently.
Camera
front. On top a very tiny frame as aiming device. On the bottom a ring to
pull for film advance and shutter cocking. 4 Lenses..
Camera
back. Instructions in German.
Left side. Film rewind and shutter ready indicator. Right
side. Film counter and rewind release button.
Camera
top. Aiming device, back openening slider and shutter
release.
Camera bottom.
Ring to pull.
Camera back open. Sticker with instructions how to load the camera.
Film compartment. Sticker unfolded. It says: 1 Push the rewind handle
towards the outside with force. 2 Insert cartridge to the left and push
rewind handle back. 3 Pull film to the right until the first sprocket hole
of the film hits a pin on the wind spool. 4 Pull the wind thread GENTLY
until the film has wound one turn. Close back.
Using
the Lomo SuperSampler is not so easy at first, but once you get used,
it's easy. In standard mode the cycle takes 2 seconds which gives
different pictures from a moving subject. In high-speed mode it's only 0.2
seconds, so all pictures will nearly be the same. Don't move too quick, as
1/100s shutter speed may give blurred pictures unless you want them so.
As there is only one shutter speed, you
have to choose your film depending on the weather conditions. On bright
days ISO 200 is fine, on dull days ISO 400 is better. Modern film is
quite flexible, so you will have usable results. Inside or at night
photos are not possible. It's a toy or fun camera,
all plastic, but it's funny.
The biggest problem of this camera is the thread to pull for film advance
and shutter cocking. There are hundreds of complaints about a broken
mechanism. Lomo tried to limit the damage by warning you to pull gently.
Obviously they used low quality plastic gearing which breaks or is soon
worn out. There is a repair advice on Flickr which solves the problem
quite well, but you need DIY skills.
The first version, the ActionSampler, is more solid, but the pictures are
a different format. So it's a choice.
Some
gereral words about Lomography and their service: There is a 2-year
warranty, at least in Europe. My personal experience with their service
is very good. As most of their cameras are made of (cheap) plastic,
there is no repair, they just exchange your defective camera. You have
to send it in to their Vienna office at your expenses, which is not cheap
if you are not based in Austria, but they try to compensate by adding
film or so to the return. You absolutely need a proof of purchase,
there was heavy abuse by fraudulent customers they told me. So if you
buy second hand or your camera is gift, be sure to put your hands on
the proof of purchase. After the 2-years warranty period it's over.
They will try to help for the expensive not-so-plastic cameras like the
LC series, but for the rest there is no repair. Keep this in mind for
the prices you pay for older gear.
