I went to a vintage camera swap over the weekend, and as I was geeking out over the tables of film cameras, one style in particular caught my attention: brass accents. But now film brand Lomography has read my mind. The Lomomatic 110 Panthera is an analog camera with a brass body and leopard print pattern that feels like it stepped out of the 1970s.
The Panthera color launches alongside the Ladybug, a glossy red camera with, as the name hints, black polka dots.
Both the Panthera and the Ladybug are refreshed designs of an existing film camera, the Lomomatic 110. The 110 format is arguably an easier entry into film photography because 110 film is built into a plastic cartridge that pops into the back of the camera rather than learning how to correctly spool 35mm film.
The Lomomatic 110 mixes that smaller film format with a 23mm lens – that lens is built from glass, so it should have better sharpness and clarity than the plastic lenses from disposable film cameras.
The Lomomatic 110 shoots with auto exposure, but photographers can also choose from f/2.8 or f/5.6 aperture using buttons at the top of the camera for more control. The camera uses zone focusing, as well as an ISO control to match the film that’s loaded inside.
The camera also brings back another iconic retro feature from old compact cameras: a sliding design. But rather than sliding one piece over the lens, the end of the camera slides out to open the lens, which also helps to make the film camera a bit smaller when not out shooting.
I shoot with film becuase film is fun – and having a wild, retro design elevates that experience. The Panthera isn’t Lomography’s only brass body 110 camera either, joining the earlier Lomomatic 110 Bellagio, which is still available.
The Ladybug joins several other color options at a $119 / £109 / AU$189 / CA$159 price point. Because the Panthera uses brass, it sits at a slightly higher price than the earlier Bellagio at $189 / £169 / AU$289 / CA$259. Film and a battery (one CR2 required) is not included.
The new Panthera and Ladybug color options are available to order from Lomography.
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The 110 format seems to be on trend lately – even Camp Snap and Yashica have launched a digital camera made to look like a 110. Take a look at the best film cameras, or dive into the 110 film format.
