Lomography Konstruktor
Lomography Konstruktor
I recently had the pleasure of building and reviewing the Lomography DIY Konstruktor camera. This camera is a fantastic project for anyone who loves film photography and a bit of hands-on fun. It comes with a variety of customization options, including red, white, or black leatherette finishes and a selection of stickers.
The Build Process: Fun with a Few Fiddly Bits
The instruction manual is fully illustrated, which I found very helpful. However, I did notice that the written instructions were not as detailed as they could have been, which led to a few initial assembly errors. Despite this, the overall build was straightforward and a very enjoyable process.
Challenges I Faced and My Solutions
During the build and shooting process, I ran into a couple of issues that I was able to work through.
Focus Screen: I had trouble getting an accurate infinity focus through the viewfinder. My solution was to install the focusing screen upside down, which required a bit of trimming to get it to fit correctly.
Film Indicator Dial: I found that the film indicator dial moved independently of the film itself, which caused me to accidentally change the frame count when winding the film. I think a small piece of tape could easily solve this issue.
Film Jam: One of the most frustrating issues was a film jam that occurred after only 21 frames on a 36-roll, leaving a significant portion of the film unused.
Shooting Experience and Overall Impressions
I took the camera out on a dreary day in Leeds and shot with Lomography Berlin ISO 400 film. The F10 lens and cloudy conditions meant that some of the images were underexposed. I also ended up with quite a few double exposures, as the winding mechanism is separate from the shutter, and I sometimes forgot to wind it on.
My final takeaway is that the Lomography DIY Konstruktor is an excellent "toy" camera that is all about the fun of the build and the shooting experience. The plastic meniscus lens isn't designed for sharp, professional-grade photos, but the camera would be perfect for a party, giving you that retro, disposable camera feel, especially when paired with a flash.