Why I’m Still Obsessed with the Dispo Lens (Now with GIFs and the New Swiss Army Lens)
A while back, I wrote about my love affair with the Dispo Lens — that brilliant, totally plastic piece of glass that somehow manages to create magic. It’s unapologetically lo-fi, lightweight, and full of quirks — and that’s exactly why I love it. While most lenses strive for technical perfection, the Dispo does the opposite. It embraces the flaws, the softness, the slight unpredictability — all those beautiful imperfections that make an image feel alive.
The Swiss Army Lens: Next-Level Creativity
Recently, the team behind Dispo released their Swiss Army Lens, and it’s completely changed how I shoot. It’s still made from plastic, keeping that same character and charm, but it adds more flexibility and creative possibilities. Think of it as a pocket-sized toolbox for anyone chasing a filmic, documentary look with a bit of personality baked in.
I’ve always been drawn to the in-between moments — the split seconds of laughter, a quick kiss, the kind of movement that doesn’t last long enough to pose. This lens captures all that with a nostalgic softness that feels both intimate and spontaneous.
Bringing Motion Into the Mix: Film GIFs
What’s new for me lately is experimenting with GIFs made from Dispo and Swiss Army Lens footage. There’s something irresistible about turning those throwaway moments into endlessly looping snippets — like tiny windows back into the chaos and joy of the day.
A gust of wind catching a veil, friends spinning on the dance floor, a quick glance across the table — these loops capture energy and emotion that still photos can only hint at. It’s storytelling that moves, and I’m hooked.
Why It Still Matters
In a digital world obsessed with sharpness and symmetry, I’m still drawn to the raw, imperfect, and emotional. The Dispo and Swiss Army lenses — both proudly plastic — remind me that photography isn’t about perfection. It’s about feeling. Whether it’s digital, film, or a lo-fi loop that flickers like a memory, this is the kind of imagery that lasts because it’s real.
Molly & Sam – The Mildmay Club
Connie & Stefan – The Silk Mill
Angela & Simon – The Radnor Rooms
