LOMO LC-A
Dense 35mm color with independently adjustable crossover, grain and peripheral optics.
An artistic interpretation of an existing image, not a calibrated camera reproduction.
Behind the camera look
The original camera
This treatment refers to the original LOMO LC-A introduced in 1984, rather than later LC-A+ models. Its Minitar-1 lens provides the optical context. Photographer David Arnold documents Elite Chrome 100 EB2 developed in C-41 and scanned to CD: the color shifts belong to that film, development and scan chain, not a color profile in the camera body. [1] [2]
Our interpretation
Cross Process blends a conventional-negative interpretation into tone-dependent color crossover. Color Balance shifts that relationship without applying a uniform wash. Modest Lens Softness and Falloff preserve a readable center; Grain is independently adjustable. The coefficients are artistic estimates, not measurements of the original camera.
Evidence and limits
The apple preview is a processed existing photograph, not a capture from this camera. No matched-camera measurements or proprietary transforms were used. Earlier grading, sharpening and clipping remain part of the source.
Sources
- Lomopedia: LOMO LC-ALomography · original-camera history
- Cross Processing and the Lomo LC-ADavid Arnold · documented photographic practice
Creative applications
- Lively color treatments for everyday snapshots.
- Controlled cross-processed color for portraits and still lifes.
Starting workflow
- Start with a well-exposed image.
- Sweep Cross Process with Color Balance. Keep Lens Softness and Falloff modest for a readable center; Grain remains independent.
- Inspect the final output size and compare with the source using Mix.
Key controls
- Cross Process
Sweep Cross Process with Color Balance. Keep Lens Softness and Falloff modest for a readable center; Grain remains independent.
Default: 65% · Range: 0% to 100%
- Color Balance
Shift the crossover through a bounded midtone envelope; pair with Cross Process.
Default: 10% · Range: -100% to 100%
- Falloff
Shade the periphery independently of lens softness; zero removes attenuation.
Default: 35% · Range: 0% to 100%
- Lens Softness
Soften the periphery while retaining the center; zero removes blur.
Default: 15% · Range: 0% to 100%
- Grain
Adjust 35mm-inspired texture independently of color and optics; zero disables it.
Default: 35% · Range: 0% to 100%
- Exposure (EV)
Trim input brightness before the camera treatment; zero leaves exposure unchanged.
Default: 0 · Range: -2 to 2
- Seed
Choose a repeatable texture arrangement; inert when Grain is zero.
Default: 17 · Range: 0 to 65535
- Variation rate
Zero holds the seeded texture. Raise Variation rate and enable animation for deterministic texture changes during playback; returning to the same time reproduces the pattern.
Default: 0Hz · Range: 0Hz to 30Hz
- Mix
Blend with the input; zero is exact bypass.
Default: 100% · Range: 0% to 100%
Practical tips
- Keep the source exposure consistent when comparing cameras.
- Try Variation rate with animation enabled to bring texture into motion.
Limitations
- Does not reconstruct RAW data, spectral film response, scene depth or lost highlights.
- Camera names identify inspiration; no manufacturer endorsement is implied.
