LOMO Lubitel 2 - The Classic Soviet "Amateur" TLRThe Lubitel 2 (Russian: Любитель-2, meaning "Amateur") is one of the most famous and widely produced medium format cameras in history. Manufactured by the LOMO plant in Leningrad (St. Petersburg) between 1954 and 1980, it was designed to be an affordable, lightweight introduction to 120 film for the masses. With over 2 million units produced, it has become a cult favorite for its unique lo-fi aesthetic, sharp center-frame resolution, and charmingly "toy-like" bakelite construction.Key BenefitsLegendary "Toy Camera" Aesthetic: Known for producing images with moderate contrast, occasional light leaks, and beautiful circular bokeh that art photographers crave.Portable Medium Format: At roughly 570 grams, it is significantly lighter than professional metal TLRs like the Rolleiflex or Yashica-Mat, making it an ideal "street" medium format camera.Purely Mechanical: Requires no batteries and operates with a simple leaf shutter, teaching the user the fundamentals of manual exposure.FeaturesCamera Type: Twin Lens Reflex (TLR)Film Format: 120 Roll Film (producing twelve $6 \times 6$ cm square exposures)Taking Lens: LOMO T-22 (Triplet) $75\text{mm}$ f/4.5 (coated glass)Viewing Lens: f/2.8 $75\text{mm}$ lens (wider aperture for a brighter viewfinder image)Shutter: Central leaf shutterSpeeds: 1/15s to 1/250s plus Bulb (B)Aperture: f/4.5 to f/22Focusing: Manual geared-lens focusing from $1.3\text{m}$ to infinityViewfinder: Folding waist-level finder with a center ground-glass spot and a magnifying loupeBody: Bakelite (plastic) with metal internal fittings and a built-in self-timerConditionCosmetic (Rated 4/5): The camera is in excellent vintage condition. The bakelite body is robust, showing only minor surface scuffs. The silver nameplate remains crisp and legible.Optical: The T-22 glass is clear. No evidence of fungus or deep scratches. The mirror inside the viewing chamber is functional, though some minor silvering age is typical.Mechanical: The shutter fires correctly across the speed range. The focusing gears between the viewing and taking lenses move in synchronization. The red window on the back for tracking frame numbers is clear.Note: Sold as a functional collectible. While the mechanical components are active, the camera has not been film-tested for light-tightness.What's IncludedLOMO Lubitel 2 CameraOriginal Hard Leatherette Carrying Case (Soviet era)Original Plastic Lens Cap (if available)Why This Product?The Lubitel 2 is a rite of passage for film photographers. It forces you to slow down—manually cocking the shutter, peering into the waist-level finder, and advancing the film while watching the red window. The result is a $6 \times 9$ negative with a "soul" that digital sensors cannot mimic. This specific unit is a well-preserved example of Soviet industrial history, perfect for those starting their journey into 120 film or collectors looking for a clean LOMO icon.Keywords: Lubitel 2, LOMO, Soviet Camera, TLR, 120 Film, Medium Format, Triplet Lens, Bakelite, Analog Photography, USSR, Lomography.Pro-Tip: Remember that the shutter must be manually cocked using the small lever beside the lens before every shot, and don't forget to advance the film immediately after shooting to avoid accidental double exposures (unless you want them)!