plastikcam.com       Lomo SuperSampler


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.

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Camera with manual. It has never been used, there is still the sticker on the strap admonishing you to pull gently.

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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..

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Camera back. Instructions in German.

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Left side. Film rewind and
shutter ready indicator.

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Right side. Film counter and rewind release button.

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Camera top. Aiming device, back openening slider and shutter release.

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Camera bottom. Ring to pull.

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Camera back open. Sticker with instructions how to load the camera.

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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.

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