La Sardina v.s. Ultra Wide and Slim: Combat Between Wide-Angle Cameras

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As La Sardina being introduced lately by Lomography, a lot of Lomographers are having a trouble: which between the La Sardina or Ultra Wide and Slim should one obtain?

Before the La Sardina was introduced, Ultra Wide and Slim was a very popular analogue camera. Its charming wide-angle lens, lightweight body, ease of use, and also the vignette, have impressed many Lomographers. I hope this article can be a reference to those who intends to have a wide-angle camera.

La Sardina

Lens Focal Length: 22mm
Shutter Speed: (N)1/100秒，Bulb
Aperture: f.8
Focusing Distance (m): 0.6，1m- ∞
Multiple Exposures: yes
Cable Release Connection: Yes
Film Stopping: Yes
Flash Contact: yes

The specifications of La Sardina are more advance compared to that of the Ultra Wide and Slim. It has two shutter speeds, larger aperture, adjustable focusing distance, cable release connection, multiple exposure capabilities. What’s more, it can be equipped with flash!

This rewind dial is used for rewinding the films, but it also make multiple exposure possible, and hence more space for creativity.

The La Sardina can produce photos with longer exposure time and multiple exposures. With the flash, you can have great photos even in poor lighting. La Sardina also has the rewind dial, just like the Sprocket Rocket, you can rewind the films to re-expose it. Remember to set the focus distance before pressing the shutter! And more importantly, when using the viewfinder for framing, remember to slightly raise your camera so that you can have an accurate composition.

Ultra Wide and Slim

Lens Focal Length: 22mm
Shutter Speed: (N)1/125秒
Aperture:f.11
Focusing Distance (m): 1.2m- ∞
Multiple Exposures: no
Cable Release Connection: no
Film Stopping: no
Flash Contact: no

Ultra Wide and Slim is a very simple camera, no flash contact, no multiple exposure or long-exposure capabilities. You only need to load the camera with films and then just point and shoot. So you can see that Ultra Wide and Slim is an ideal camera for beginners, with it faster shutter speed, smaller aperture. Load it with ASA 100 films, you can have beautiful pictures with light fall-off effects even in broad sunlight.

For the price, Ultra Wide and Slim is much more cheaper. It is also lighter in weight and its simple outline make it easier to be fit into your bag. In contrast, La Sardina will weigh a little bit more, and because of its bulged viewfinder, you will need a bit more space in your bag. But at the same time, its extraordinary appearance is the reason why many Lomographers (including me!) are attracted by it.

Conclusion：

La Sardina requires more settings than Ultra Wide and Slim, and it will be a bit difficult to manage for beginners. My advice is that if you are a beginner, then you should have Ultra Wide and Slim first. When you have become more familiar with films and with which kind of films to be used in different conditions, then you can obtain the more advanced La Sardina!

Get ready to sail the high seas with our new La Sardina collection! These 35mm cameras are equipped with spectacular wide-angle lens, multiple exposure capabilities, and a rewind dial—everything you need for fun-filled and thrill-soaked escapades. Get your own La Sardina camera now!

written by shiroweng on 2011-08-18 #gear #test #wide-angle #review #camera #tipster #lomography #comparison #film-camera #user-review #la-sardina #wide-angle-cameras

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12 Comments

alex34 · 2011-08-18 14:25
Two shutter speeds is not exactly a major technological advance if one of them is 'bulb' ;-)
mr-korn · 2011-08-18 16:20
Maybe it's just me but the most photos from La Sardina seem out of focus. UWS seems to produce nicer looking photos
cwyeung · 2011-08-18 17:15
@mr-korn not out focus, but the lens itself didn't make clear image on edges
kneehigh85 · 2011-08-18 17:40
@mr-korn I agree
aroninvt · 2011-08-18 18:31
Why limit yourself? Just get both! They're both awesome cameras and I don't think any camera collection is complete without one or both of them!
cruzron · 2011-08-19 12:37
@alex34 - true, but you're afforded more creative freedom with it, especially if you're squeamish in modding cameras yourself :)
itsdebraanne · 2011-08-27 18:25
I own a Superheadz UWS and found that loading the UWS with ASA 100 films is kinda risky for underexposed shots. the lighting has to be REALLY sunny. like cloudless to minimal (1-3 clouds either direction) kind of days. ASA 400 films (or higher) is your best bet. also, the UWS 36 film exp warning is a myth. I used a 36 roll without breaking the winding mechanism. (knock on wood, lol.) just be gentle with the little angel. or devil. (:
When I had enough money for the La Sardina, I opted out for the Spinner 360. heh. sorry but I'll never get a La Sardina (or any camera from now on) until I acquire the love of my life: the LOMO LC-W <3 17mm of pure sexiness. it beats the UWS and La Sardina any day.
gvelasco · 2011-11-18 23:16
I just did a shootout between these two cameras. Same film, same shots. I'll post the side-by-side review soon.
robotmonkey1996 · 2011-11-26 21:14
VIVI has more bang for the buck. (10 bucks vs 100bucks)
itsdebraanne · 2011-12-06 00:40
i've got the sprocket rocket, spinner 360, and superheadz ultra wide and silm. i love each the same. but i kicked the la sardina to the curb when i found a new man: the Lomo LC-W. 17mm oh baby :D
itsdebraanne · 2011-12-06 00:41
wow i commented here 3 months ago haha i totally forgot!
btw I think the UWS has a better vignette than the Sardina
kodysattva · 2017-06-21 23:59
Tiny and fun camera to throw in the bag.

You may have read that the film door can be a beast to open. Upon receiving the camera, I found this to be very much the case. Others have recommended holding the camera upside down, but on my copy that technique didn't work. After trial and error, have arrived at a method that allows me to open the camera fairly easily.

Hold the camera in your left hand so that your forefinger and thumb squeeze moderately tightly against the actual top and bottom on the camera at the latch end. The hinge end of the camera should be pointed toward the floor and the lens should be pointed at your left palm. As you use your right thumbnail to slide the latch open, simultaneously jerk the camera body leftward with your left hand. Think of this action as pulling the camera away from the film door. If you get the timing right, you'll either fully open the door or open it just enough to disengage the latch and allow you to pry it open with your fingernail.

Happy shooting!