Today we’re going to take a look at the camera Lomo'Instant Wide - the largest member of Lomography’s instant camera lineup in both size and frame format.

Ergonomics and camera controls

The camera is quite large, its shape is bulky, and it feels like a big brick. But these dimensions are compensated by its capabilities. However, in terms of weight, the Lomo'Instant Wide beats similar cameras made by Fujifilm. Carrying the camera is easy, as is shooting with it.

Shooting is intuitive and not particularly complicated. The shutter button is located on the front of the camera, while all other controls are on the back. This is very convenient because you can change settings and modes and take photos with one hand.

Shooting modes

If you can get used to the camera’s controls and tactile feel, where it truly shines is in its capabilities. There probably isn’t another instant wide-format camera on the market with such features.

Let's go through the modes:

• Simple auto – the mode selects all settings for you.

• Bulb mode – long exposure for your night shots.

• Constant shutter speed 1/30 helps in challenging lighting conditions.

For each of these modes, you can turn the flash and multiple exposure function on or off.

Multiple exposure is one of my favorite features on this camera. With it, you can create even more interesting shots by layering two, three, four – or as many exposures as you want.

Frame taken using double multiple exposure

The camera also comes with four color filters for the flash, which can be combined with each other as well as with the multiple exposure function.

Photo taken with flash and a blue filter

On the left: multiple exposure + yellow and blue filters

On the right: multiple exposure + red and blue filters

With a fixed shutter speed of 1/30 second, you can shoot indoors and experiment with moving objects.

1\30

Also, one of the very interesting features of the Lomo'Instant Wide is its wonderful lens cap, which also functions as a remote shutter release for the camera. It makes taking selfies and shooting on a tripod much easier. Just remember to remove this cap before shooting, otherwise instead of a photo, the camera will give you a wonderful gray rectangle :) Yes, the camera also has a tripod socket and even a sync port.

Lomo'Instant Wide is a camera that encourages your creativity and invites you to experiment with everything: light, color, and composition. Although I didn't become a fan of its design, I really enjoyed shooting with it without worrying about shutter speed, aperture, or depth of field, just taking photos with the thought "what if...".

After all these DSLRs and other "serious" cameras, I felt that instant photography is a completely different class of emotions and sensations. It's photography for fun. And what could be more important in life than fun and joy?