Gear Review: Lomo Sprocket Rocket

The Lomo Sprocket Rocket is a 35mm camera with a super-wide angle for ultra cool panoramic shots and multiple exposures.

This isn’t just any panoramic, it exposes the whole film – including the sprocket holes for a unique photograph. And that’s not all. It has a reverse gear so you can wind backwards and forwards through the film for funky multiple exposures.

Why the Sprocket Rocket and not another Lomo panoramic camera?

It is the only analogue camera with the reverse gear feature. Simply too much fun to pass up. You can expose a whole film, then wind it right back to the beginning and do it all over again, superimposing portrait shots of friends and family over a holiday in Tenerife for example.

What is the best thing about it?

Apart from it’s super-cool retro look? Blending one image with another – it has a second window with a dot to mark precise frame numbers, so you can stop short of the next frame to blend one picture in with another. A 360 degree picture is completely feasible, although there will be some interesting distortion.

What are the drawbacks?

Remembering what picture you took on which frame number if you are going to make the most of the reverse gear feature. Also nowhere to attach a camera strap.

How does it work?

Pop in your film, and wind it on, then back again, and then forward again. Remember that it is an ultra-wide angle lens exposing two frames at a time – so opt or a 36 exp film so you can get 18 shots from a roll.

Any other nifty features?

It does come with an accessory to cover the sprocket holes so you can shoot regular panoramic pictures without sprocket holes. It has bulb mode, a cloudy and sunny setting and you can tweak the focus. There is also a hot shoe adaptor for flash photography.

How much does it cost?

From $69 on Amazon US or around £45 on Amazon UK Also available from £69 at the Lomo Store

Tried and Tested?

Yes. It is light, comfortable to hold and is a joy to look at – just like the pictures you’ll get from it. Instagram type aesthetic with vignette effects and delicious distortion at each end of the panorama. To get some well thought out multiple exposures I put a sticky label on the back to make a brief note against each frame number. It is great addition to a camera collection, and lots of fun. Top marks from me.