It’s taken a little while to put together but we’re incredibly pleased to introduce you all to the brave subject of this, the first EMULSIVE Community Interview. In fact, you’ve probably already guessed from the obvious feature image and headline that it’s the one and only Lomography.

This is your opportunity to put them under the community spotlight, as in their own words: “Don’t Think, Just Shoot Ask.”

 

 

Lomography who?

To echo our Lomography Turquoise review from 2015: objectively speaking, this collective has done more for film photography in the last ten years than Kodak, Fuji, Hasselblad, Leica, Rollei, Nikon and Canon combined. Just take a look at these NEW products from the last five years (no particular order):

  • A new Nikon/Canon mount Petzval lens (2014)
  • The “Spinner” and “Sprocket Rocket” 35mm cameras released
  • A new M-mount lens (Russar)
  • A new 6×12 medium format camera with AE (Belair)
  • A DIY 35mm SLR (Konstructor)
  • A smartphone film scanner and app
  • Another new Petzval lens (2015, Nikon DC style)
  • New glass lenses for the Diana F+
  • A new automatic exposure medium format camera (LCA 120)
  • New 110 cameras and 110 film…FRESH 110 film!
  • A fantastic Instax camera
  • At least two new film stocks in 35mm and 120 format

…oh, and this list doesn’t include Lomography’s new Instax Wide camera, or M-mount Minitar and Jupiter-3 lenses.

Regardless of you previous encounters with Lomography and their products, the volume and positive impact of their activity in the film photography space since being founded in 1992 is undeniable.

I’ll leave you to make up your own minds but it’s plain to see that they have had a considerable hand in keeping film photography alive in recent years.

 

 

Timeline

As per our introductory article, this interview will be presented in three parts:

 

Part one: Call for submissions (this article)

The submission window is open from today until March 17th 2015. This is your chance to have a think about what kind of questions you want to ask to Lomography and submit them in the comments below. Please keep your questions concise and submit no more than two each. Only new, parent comments will be considered for entry, so please don’t add them as replies to others if you want a chance to have yours featured. When doors close on March 17th 2015, we’ll be locking the thread and our panel will be tasked with whittling down your submissions to ten questions (more on the panel in a bit).

 

Part two: Handover

Once the submission window has closed and the panel has had a chance to deliberate, the shortlisted questions will be passed over to Lomography for review. We’ll be working with them to put together a finished article where you can see their responses within around a fortnight. The shortlist will consist of two questions from EMULSIVE, one each from the panel and up to ten from your submissions.

 

Part three: Release

We’re expecting to have the finished interview released toward the end of March and beginning of April. If you posted a question that made the cut, you’ll be credited in the finished piece. There may be other things to announce here but we’ll leave that until closer to the time.

 

 

Structure

As noted above, there will be 2 questions from EMULSIVE and one each from our selection panel. It’s the job of the panel to help make the final decision as to which of the questions submitted will make the cut for the final piece.

Why go to the trouble of selecting a panel? Having an impartial group in place should alleviate any concerns regarding impartiality and bias; and makes the process transparent. Anyone can be a panel member for future Community Interviews, all you need do is ask. Speaking of the panel, here they are:

Kim @kimmiechem2
Diz @dizd
Jennifer Henriksen @holgajen

 

 

Starting questions

The questions below form only the beginning of this Community Interview and can be added to, or expanded upon with your own. Please be careful not to repeat, or post similar questions to the ones below, as your entry will likely be discarded. Here’s what we have to start things off:

 

Kim:
Lomography has forged a few paths with art lenses and increasingly diverse choices for instant photography cameras. Bearing that in mind, are you looking to veer away from traditional film chemistries in the long-term, in favor of art-lenses (which can also appeal to the digital market), and instant photography?

 

Diz:
I am just getting to know Lomography, so understanding what you stand for would be helpful. I’d like you to give me your elevator pitch of what your mission statement is and how your latest offerings support that.

 

Jennifer:
I purchased my first Holga from Lomography many, many years ago. It was definitely a turning point in my artistic life! With the recent news of the Holga factory closure, what do you see as the future of this iconic camera? Does Lomography have any plans in the works to perhaps keep the Holga alive in some way? And if so, can you share any of that with us?

 

EMULSIVE:
In recent years the company has dipped its toes into creating new M-mount lenses, as well as resurrecting the old (Russar, Minitar, Jupiter). With the recent news of your partner Zenit re-entering the camera market, can we expect to see new Lomography branded camera to take advantage of the new glass?

 

EMULSIVE:
Fuji seem to be interested in maintaining their Instax instant film products over and above other formats (although there have been hazy commitments to supporting 35mm, 120 and sheet film for the next few years). With interest in instant photography appearing to grow and grow, can you see a future where we’ll see new instant film stocks, especially black and white?

 

 

What next?

Doors for submissions are open until March 17th 2015 and the only way to submit your question is in the comments below.

Questions are not subject to moderation at this stage but you are asked to keep them civil and in the spirit of the community.

Please prepend your submission with, “Question:”. For example:

Question: why do you use an 8-bit style font for your logo?

Finally, if two or more very similar questions are posted, we will endeavour to credit the first person who posted it.

If we feel that two or more questions can be combined without losing their original value, we’ll credit each submitter as required.

Feel free to use email, Facebook, Twitter, or the comments for any questions you might have!

Over to you.

~ EM

Similar stuff on EMULSIVE

38 responses to “EMULSIVE x Lomography Community Interview: submit your questions”

  1. So is there going to be another Lomo interview?

  2. So is there going to be another Lomo interview?

  3. Question:

    Your selection of products is amazing, and shows great business sense, at least from this film photographer’s point of view.

    Considering the current customer feedback, your company’s remarkable insight, and your company’s instincts, what do you see as the future of film photography in the next year, 3 years, and 5 years? And what will Lomography be adding or changing products to meet those predictions?

  4. filmphotographylondon Avatar
    filmphotographylondon

    Are there any film stocks that either you believe or customers are demanding that are missing from the line-up of Lomography films and if so do you have a roadmap of planned film stock releases coming up? For example an ISO400 colour slide film like the old Fuji Provia 400x would be great…….

  5. filmphotographylondon Avatar
    filmphotographylondon

    Are there any film stocks that either you believe or customers are demanding that are missing from the line-up of Lomography films and if so do you have a roadmap of planned film stock releases coming up? For example an ISO400 colour slide film like the old Fuji Provia 400x would be great…….

  6. Some time ago there was an announcement of a marketing partnership being developed between Kodak Alaris and Lomo. Could you elaborate on the topic? Has that partnership born any fruit as yet? I’m wondering if for instance the new Kodak Super 8 camera came about as a result of Lomo’s input.

  7. Hi Lomography! I’ve been a huge fan of your 35mm toy creations for a long time – I love how they take their inspiration from older, iconic cameras with personal favourite being the Diana Mini. My question is, do you have any plans for bringing out a new toy camera any time soon?

    1. Let’s hope we’ll see a dinky version of the Lubitel at some point! 😀

  8. Nobody makes a good film scanner: one that is quick, high quality and reasonably priced. Every film scanner I’ve seen, save for the Flextight X5, exaggerates graininess. 2K scans of Super 16mm look cleaner than some scans of 35mm film on photo scanners. Is this a problem you would like to address?

    1. Great question, thanks Karim.

  9. Nobody makes a good film scanner: one that is quick, high quality and reasonably priced. Every film scanner I’ve seen, save for the Flextight X5, exaggerates graininess. 2K scans of Super 16mm look cleaner than some scans of 35mm film on photo scanners. Is this a problem you would like to address?

    1. Great question, thanks Karim.

  10. Why everything is so overpriced?

    I mean, film prices. You want €9 for a roll of Portra 400, when it cost €7 at my local dealer. Agfa Vista – €4, and €3 at my local dealer. Ilford HP5 – €6, and €4,5 locally.

    Instant Wide, double pack – €23,90. €16 locally.

    Cameras. I understand you sell them new, but honestly, €299 for a Lubitel? I’ve been buying them for €20 in perfect working condition. Lomo LC-A+ for €250? I can pick up an used original LC-A, in working condition and with batteries, for €30.

    Standard development – negatives + scanning €11. My lab will do that for €6. And I don’t have to pay shipping.

    1. Don’t Worry Dominik, we know it’s you and will make sure the question gets credited. Thanks for the submission.

  11. Why everything is so overpriced?

    I mean, film prices. You want €9 for a roll of Portra 400, when it cost €7 at my local dealer. Agfa Vista – €4, and €3 at my local dealer. Ilford HP5 – €6, and €4,5 locally.

    Instant Wide, double pack – €23,90. €16 locally.

    Cameras. I understand you sell them new, but honestly, €299 for a Lubitel? I’ve been buying them for €20 in perfect working condition. Lomo LC-A+ for €250? I can pick up an used original LC-A, in working condition and with batteries, for €30.

    Standard development – negatives + scanning €11. My lab will do that for €6. And I don’t have to pay shipping.

    1. Don’t Worry Dominik, we know it’s you and will make sure the question gets credited. Thanks for the submission.

  12. Do you think you’ve settled what you want to do with the instax film in ways opf cameras or do you have more plans in the pipeline?
    I think you’ve done good in adding many features to the pure Instax cameras that have pleased people outside your ordinary customer base.

    1. Nice questions, Jonas. Thanks for submitting!

  13. Checking out what’s new in your online shop, I noticed both the DIY pinhole camera Videre and 16mm film stock. Exciting to see you expand picking up small projects and supplying formats you don’t cater cameras for yourself. Are these branches something you see LSI keeping on letting to grow further?

  14. Checking out what’s new in your online shop, I noticed both the DIY pinhole camera Videre and 16mm film stock. Exciting to see you expand picking up small projects and supplying formats you don’t cater cameras for yourself. Are these branches something you see LSI keeping on letting to grow further?

  15. Deliberate or not, “Lomo” has become synonymous with film photography to the mainstream, or those barely paying attention and aware that film is still being produced and available and that even new dedicated film photography products have been developed and marketed in recent years. I’ve had times when I was out with a Leica R8 or Rolleiflex TLR, two decidedly non-Lomoesque cameras, and people commented that I was shooting a “Lomo” camera. Interestingly, this association counters the impression held by many that Lomography stands for blurry, leaky, poorly composed images that are creative more by accident than intention. Given your efforts to produce quality lenses like the Petzval Art series, the Jupiter-3, and the versatile creative tool Lomo ‘Instant Wide, there seem to be two parallel streams flowing from Lomography, namely the “craptastic” tributary and more serious, quality, and intentionally creative flow.

    So now to my question: will you please save Fujicolor FP-100C?

    Just kidding.

    How much of your mission going forward is about film photography, and how much simply about offering fun, creative photographic experiences?

    1. Thanks very much, David. Great question!

  16. QUESTION: While your contribution to the renaissance of film is undeniably to many, Lomography has garnered critics over the years. Its prices have come under fire repeatedly, and the Society has been called a ripoff or a scam more than once. Some pundits have even conjectured that the whole Lomography movement is an empty and elaborate marketing scheme. What can you say about your pricing and place in the market, and how would you respond to those who say LSI is only truly committed to profit?

  17. QUESTION: While your contribution to the renaissance of film is undeniably to many, Lomography has garnered critics over the years. Its prices have come under fire repeatedly, and the Society has been called a ripoff or a scam more than once. Some pundits have even conjectured that the whole Lomography movement is an empty and elaborate marketing scheme. What can you say about your pricing and place in the market, and how would you respond to those who say LSI is only truly committed to profit?

    1. A difficult topic to broach; very well put. Thanks, Daniel.

  18. QUESTION: Lomography, some of your film is not mainstream and I am apprehensive to buy without knowing more about it. Can you create a section describing each film, how it looks/behaves when shot at different speeds with examples? For example Lomo 800, brief description, strengths, weaknesses, ideal shooting situation/light, how it behaves at 200, 400, 800, 1600. Similarly for all other stock. It would greatly encourage me (and perhaps others) to try your films.

    1. Great question, well put. Thanks Dev.

  19. QUESTION: Lomography, some of your film is not mainstream and I am apprehensive to buy without knowing more about it. Can you create a section describing each film, how it looks/behaves when shot at different speeds with examples? For example Lomo 800, brief description, strengths, weaknesses, ideal shooting situation/light, how it behaves at 200, 400, 800, 1600. Similarly for all other stock. It would greatly encourage me (and perhaps others) to try your films.

    1. Great question, well put. Thanks Dev.

  20. Thanks for your questions, Shawn!

  21. Shawn David Mozmode (@sdMozmode) Avatar
    Shawn David Mozmode (@sdMozmode)

    Question: Hi Lomography! Thanks for all you do to promote the art of film photography. Can you tell me more about your company’s decision to have brick and mortar Gallery and Embassy stores? How are they able to compete with your own online store as well as 3rd party retailers of your products like B&H Photo?

    1. Thanks for your questions, Shawn!

  22. Shawn David Mozmode (@sdMozmode) Avatar
    Shawn David Mozmode (@sdMozmode)

    Question: You clearly have been innovative with your camera products and services offered by your development lab. Can you tell me more about your company’s philosophy and processes relative to providing an equally impressive customer experience when a person decides to make a purchase in your Gallery or Embassy store, sends film to your lab or buys a camera from your online store? Specifically how do you address examples of not so stellar customer service?

  23. Shawn David Mozmode (@sdMozmode) Avatar
    Shawn David Mozmode (@sdMozmode)

    Question: You clearly have been innovative with your camera products and services offered by your development lab. Can you tell me more about your company’s philosophy and processes relative to providing an equally impressive customer experience when a person decides to make a purchase in your Gallery or Embassy store, sends film to your lab or buys a camera from your online store? Specifically how do you address examples of not so stellar customer service?

 

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