Marcy’s Lomo Lubitel 166 Universal Camera Experience:
My original thoughts regarding this camera: “This camera is really too good for me. I found it at a junk store in Grayland, Washington. It is capable of making some fabulous images! Like I said, It’s capable of making them , but I don’t know if I’m capable ”
Well, here I am one hundred years later and I am still liking the images I took with my Lubitel 166. Yes… I guess I am good enough. Ha!
Considered the poor man’s twin lens camera, the Lubitel 166 Universal is made of plastic and, I believe, it is often under estimated. Originally I’d had trouble with the viewing lens and the focusing lens coupling. I thought there was an issue with “tooth decay”. Then I found a mention on Flickr regarding how to correct the gear-meshing issue. You simply have to open the back and loosen these four screws:
Place a piece of wax paper (here I used tracing paper, I suppose you could use frosted tape as well) on the film plane: 
Once the focusing lens is focused, use the tracing paper (wax paper, frosted tape, whatever) to view the “taking” lens. Focus the taking lens. Push the lens up to meet the viewing lens’ gears. Tighten the screws. All is well!
So tonight I’m thinking of putting this camera up for sale on eBay.
I took the following with 120 Ektachrome, 50 iso, tungsten no less. The film’s expiration date was in 1981:
McKeown’s PRICE GUIDE TO ANTIQUE & CLASSIC CAMERAS 2005-2006 states, “Lubitel 166 Universal – c1983-93. Similar to 166, but dual format capability. Reducing mask allows 4.5x6cm exposures. $30-50.”
