Film is fun again with the Sprocket Rocket

Lomo Sprocket RocketSeveral months ago I received an email from Lomo going on about this mysterious new camera they were coming out with soon, and being the consummate consumer and photo geek that I am, I decided to take the bait. After a few days of waiting, the official announcement was made about the Lomo Sprocket Rocket – and I was instantly intrigued. Although it would be more than a little while before the camera graced my collection, it has since become an instant favorite.

One of the draws of the camera is that it is dead-simple to use. With two shutter settings, N (1/100) and B (bulb), and two exposure settings, Cloudy (f/10.8) and Sunny (f/16); the Sprocket Rocket is a joy to use in a world of a bajillion settings, dial, buttons and beeps. You can also choose to use the standard insert, if for some strange reason you don’t want to expose over the sprocket holes in the film. Mine is still in the box, having never been used.

White River Power StationAfter only a couple of rolls of film, this thing has become a standard participant in my photographic outings, and I don’t see that changing any time soon. Did I mention that it’s dead-simple to use? Oh, right, sorry. But it is. I have lots of cameras, and several lenses, and the Sprocket Rocket is just plain fun. I have the Lens Baby Composer for my Nikon digital, and it produces great results, but it’s fussy, and consequently I bring it along more than I actually use it, whereas I’ve used the Sprocket Rocket every time I have taken it with me.

But it’s a toy camera you say, and yes, you’re right. It is. But since when does photography have to be serious? Damn-it Jim, I’m a photographer, not a Banker!

The images produced are a lovely mix of sharp and soft, and gloriously wide. Its 30mm lens sports a 170 degree field of view and shoots a 72mm x 33m image without the insert. The only downside is that I don’t have my scanner setup right now, so the scans I get from the local photo shop only gives me the standard film size of 72mm x 24mm without the sprocket holes. The shutter speeds are fast enough that I don’t have to drop it on a tripod, and I can just shoot pictures while I’m doing other things with my other cameras.

What else can I say, I love it, and I know you will too. Go now, make yourself happy, make Lomo happy, and get a Sprocket Rocket – you won’t regret it. Scouts honor.

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