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Kamerastore Digital Database

LOMO Lubitel 166 Universal - Camera

LOMO Lubitel 166 Universal - Camera

Manual focus 120 TLR released by LOMO. The Lubitel line has been in constant production since the 1950s and borrows heavily from the Voigtländer Brilliant from the 1930s. The 166 Universal added the ability to shoot 6x4.5cm images with an attachable film gate. Plastic body available in black.

  • Taking Lens: Lomo 75mm f4.5 T-22 (3 elements, 3 groups)
  • Shutter: Leaf, 1/15s - 1/250s
  • Size: 124 x 98 x 92 mm
  • Weight: 464g
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TLR

Twin-Lens Reflex (TLR) cameras are defined by having two lenses. One lens is used for taking images and the other is for viewing, focusing, and framing your photos. The lenses are synchronized and the same focal length to allow for proper framing and focusing.

Normally, the viewing lens redirects light upwards towards a waist level viewfinder and the lower lens exposes the film using a built-in leaf shutter. Because of the way this system works the image in the viewfinder is flipped horizontally, which can take some time to get used to. There are also slight differences in framing between the two lenses that can affect images at close focusing distances.

Most TLRs take 6x6cm images on 120 medium format roll film, although some could also use now-discontinued 220 film. Many companies made TLRs, including Yashica, Minolta, and Zeiss Ikon. The most famous TLR brand, though, is Rollei.

The Rolleicord and Rolleiflex cameras are the definitive TLR designs, with all others taking major inspiration from them. These cameras pair world-class build quality with legendary Carl Zeiss & Schneider-Kreuznach lenses to make an excellent, if expensive, camera.

TLRs are iconic ”old school” cameras, used as the primary camera of journalists and documentary photographers for decades before 35mm SLRs took over. Most people will recognize a TLR as an ”old camera” and many will be intrigued by its strange (by today’s standards) two-lens design.

DHW Fototechnik is still making Rolleiflex TLRs today in Germany.

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LOMO Lubitel 166 Universal - Camera Availability & Price History
Date Sold SKU Quality Control Price Image
22 Aug 2024 T76973 € 15.00 LOMO Lubitel 166 Universal - Camera Image
13 Sep 2023 T51605 € 89.99 LOMO Lubitel 166 Universal - Camera Image
06 Apr 2023 T39376 € 149.00 LOMO Lubitel 166 Universal - Camera Image