26 June 2008

My New Toy

As I was making my last round through the thrift store yesterday, scoping out any little treasure that may have escaped my eye, I spotted this gem buried on a shelf underneath a pile of discarded knick-knacks. A Smena 8M! The word “Smena” literally means “Young Generation” in English – an apt name for a line of cameras produced by the esteemed LOMO factory in St. Petersburg, Russia. Introduced in 1952, it was designed to make photography affordable and convenient to the hardworking young Soviets at the time. I've already loaded it with film and plan on snapping away this weekend. I'm pretty addicted to digital photography at this point so it will be an interesting experiment to see what it produces. I mean, the thought of taking a photo and then having to wait days before I actually see it seems so... archaic. I know, I know! Technology has us all so spoiled.




On a side note, if you are interested in a camera like this you should check out the Lomography site. They offer all sorts of refurbished vintage cameras like the Smena 8M, the Diana and the Lomo LCA.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Smena is great, i have one myself and tho it took me awhile to figure it out, it takes gorgeous pictures :}

And i'm sure your bf can help out!

jessica ann said...

what an awesome find! i actually found my nikon onetouch 35mm camera at nearby thrift store as well and i love it to bits! i actually am too impatient to wait days after having the film developed so i usually do the one hour photo service:)

have fun xo

Unknown said...

(L)lomo cameras
you can have so beautil pictures adn simple effects with these cameras i love it

Fashion Is Poison said...

i love it!

esme and the laneway said...

Cool, I am looking forward to seeing the results. I have a lomo, but never really use it because of the waiting, the cost, the chemical badness... but I do miss it!

Lily said...

I'd love a lomo, you're so lucky to find an original!

Teemu said...

Oh thats so pretty camera! :)

I love your clothes and I think that you are very gifted with your eye of making good choises with clothes. :) Keep up the good work Sally Jane!! <3

With love,
Teemu
Fan from Finland

Anonymous said...

Ooh yes, I have a Smena 8M! It took me a while to figure out how to use it, but it's a lovely little camera. Have fun! :)

becky said...

Ooh, wow! I've been looking at these for awhile, I have a bit of a thing for vintage cameras, and since my Seagull TLR just broke for the hundreth time, I'm deciding what to try out next.

Looking forward to seeing the results! x

AlicePleasance said...

Oh, what a great find! I adore Lomo LCA and Holga.
Can't wait to see your pictures!

Michalina Bigaj said...

Lomography is my passion!

I like Smnena - i have two, but in the Lomography site, price is wery high. In my country, it cost near 20zł, or 7$.

Have fun!

Hannah Bee said...

Wow, that is such a find! And in surprisingly good condition. Who would ever toss that away?
Oh I wish I had enough money to spend on clothes so I could buy dresses from your store. They are all so lovely!
And I have now become an avid reader of your blog.

Rebecca, A Clothes Horse said...

The instant gratification of digital is such an addiction. I have a brilliant 35 mm that is my fathers and got a fisheye lomo for Christmas, but I rarely use either because it's such a lengthy and expensive process...

Anonymous said...

Invest in a negative scanner, it's seriously worth it. Ebay is also the place to go for vintage cameras like the original LC-A, Feds, Leicas, and everything else.

Anonymous said...

Oh some weeks ago I find my father's old camera and it's the same like this - Smena 8 :)