Lomography Introduces Budget-Friendly Simple Use Half Frame Film Camera

Lomography has introduced a new addition to its entry-level film camera lineup with the Simple Use Reloadable Film Camera Half Frame. Designed for casual film photographers, the new camera combines the affordability of the company’s disposable-style cameras with the cost-saving benefits of half-frame photography.

Half-frame photography has seen renewed interest in recent years, with cameras like the Pentax 17 and Fujifilm’s digital X Half appealing to photographers looking for a more relaxed and economical shooting experience.

Shoot twice as many photos on a roll

The biggest advantage of a half-frame camera is that it captures images measuring 17×24mm, rather than the standard 24×36mm frame used by conventional 35mm cameras. This effectively doubles the number of exposures available on a roll of film.

A standard 36-exposure roll can produce 72 half-frame images, while the preloaded film included with the camera yields 40 exposures.

Although scanning and developing half-frame negatives can sometimes incur additional costs, shooting twice as many images on a single roll can still be more economical than buying and processing two separate rolls of film. The trade-off is lower image resolution and slightly more noticeable film grain due to the smaller negative size.

As Lomography puts it:

“Double the sensations, the shocking moments, the scandals, the surprises.”

Redesigned body for vertical photography

The Half Frame version features a noticeably different body from the standard Simple Use Reloadable Film Camera. Instead of the familiar rectangular design, it adopts a taller, squarer body that better suits the camera’s vertically oriented frame.

Other design features include a vertical viewfinder, an oversized top-mounted winding dial, and an elongated shutter release button. Like the standard model, it also includes a built-in xenon flash, along with interchangeable colored gel filters for creative lighting effects.

The camera is equipped with a 21mm f/9 fixed-focus lens that focuses from 0.6 meters to infinity. Exposure is handled by a fixed 1/120-second shutter speed, while the flash requires approximately 15 seconds to recharge. The camera is powered by a single AAA battery.

Pricing and availability

The Lomography Simple Use Reloadable Film Camera Half Frame is priced at $29.90 and comes preloaded with a 40-exposure roll of Lomography Lady Grey ISO 400 black-and-white film.

A second version preloaded with LomoChrome Color ’92 ISO 400 film is available for $34.90.

The camera is available for pre-order now, with shipping expected to begin later this month.

Sample Images with the Lomography Simple Use Reloadable Film Camera Half Frame