Pixiq

Lomography is a company dedicated to the use of film cameras. Perhaps, even more important, it is a company dedicated to having fun with cameras.

One of the latest things from Lomography is an exciting, fun to use and perhaps dizzy little camera that makes long images on 35mm film. Called the Lomography Spinner 360˚, each image it shoots, is about four times longer than a normal 35mm negative. Using a slit instead of a shutter, this camera produces images by spinning. Simply use one hand to hold the handle and the other to pull the cord and release. The camera instantly spins to capture a panorama image that represents a full 360˚ view of the scene.

While the concept is not new to photography, the few specialty cameras that have been produced at various times within the history of photography have been out of reach for the average photographer. Cameras that fit into this category are the Cirkuit cameras of the early part of the twentieth century as well as more recent cameras such as the Globoscope, the Swiss made Roundshot and a handful of panorama cameras that use swing lenses such as the Japanese Widelux. There are also high tech digital scanner type cameras that can take similar images. These cameras are all relatively expensive and rare.

I should also mention that Lomography sells several panorama cameras such as the Horizon Perfekt and the Horizon Kompakt. Both of these cameras shoot 120˚ panorama images on 35mm film.

While it is now common to create a 360˚ panorama using a simple point and shoot digital camera, many pictures need to be taken with attention paid to image overlap and then stitching the images together in the computer. This is not a spontaneous task and the images generally do not look at all spontaneous.

The Spinner 360˚ is unique in that it is not a very expensive camera. The camera sells for less than a hundred and fifty dollars. One of the coolest things about this camera is that it is completely spontaneous. Everything happens in one complete movement. That means that any action that takes place during the exposure is captured. 

Although there is a handy bubble level built into the top of the camera for those times when you might want a straight horizon,  the camera can be held at any angle to shoot unique panorama images that go up, down, or sideways. One thing I love to do is rotate my wrist as it spins so that I get a warped perspective.

Besides a setting for use when loading the camera, there are only two shooting settings. One setting is for bright sun and the other is for shade when shooting 400 ISO film. You can also use these two settings to compensate for film speeds, bright sun for 400 speed and shade for 200 speed when shooting in bright sun.

Loading and unloading film are fairly simple tasks and for the most part is similar to a conventional 35mm camera. The main difference is that there is a funny looking wedge shaped pressure plate that pushes the film forward into the film chamber and closer to the lens, when the camera back is closed. Also, the rubber drive belt needs to be removed befor loading film and replaced after loading a new roll.

Once loaded and the light/film setting has been made, the only thing you have to do is pull and release when you are ready to take a picture. The exposure happens in a fraction of a second as the camera rotates through a complete 360˚. Actually, if you use a short pull and release, you can shorten the rotation and create non-360˚ images.

The camera comes with a built in metal lens hood to help reduce the effect of flair which can happen when taking 360˚ panorama shots. It also has a tripod socket, a spare rubber band and a fun set of instructions showing a number of ways to hold and many ways to use it.

Besides the terrific fun of shooting this camera, there is no immediate gratification of seeing your final results. Instead, like with other film cameras, there is a period of waiting and anticipation until the film has been developed and then there is the satisfaction of finally seeing what was captured. Personally, I find that anticipation is something to enjoy. It is a sustained gratification. It is one of those magical things that film gives me that digital does not.

Simple, easy and fun, this camera is built for creating exciting images. Fun is certainly what I have when I go out to shoot ­with this camera.

I hope to add many more 360˚ images taken with this camera to the image gallery in the next few days.