- Lomography announced the Lomo MC-A in October
- It features a glass lens with autofocus and a metal body
- Available for pre-order and costs $549 / £449 / AU$799
I’ve tried quite a few Lomography cameras over the years, and it’s fair to say that the film camera maker focuses on character rather than pure quality.
From the experimental Sprocket Rocket 35mm panoramic camera to the toy-shaped Lomourette and building your own Konstruktor SLR kit, novelty is usually on the menu. Recently, however, Lomography has offered another type of film camera that is part of a new “Classic” line: the Lomo MC-A.
I’ve since had a brief look at the MC-A, which one of my colleagues at our sister site Digital Camera World is reviewing, and the promotional photos don’t do it justice.
The MC-A has real weight, and that’s because it’s a high-quality camera with a glass lens and metal body. My first thought was, “Wow, has Lomography finally made a real 35mm film camera?”
And why not? If there’s one brand that’s consistently invested in making gear for film photography fans over the past decade, it’s Lomography. But if you’re already familiar with Lomography cameras like me, you need to forget everything you know – the MC-A is an altogether sleeker offering, Lomo’Instant Wide Glass notwithstanding.
Mind you, its price should be a telltale sign: the MC-A costs $549 / £449 / AU$799 on Lomography’s website, where it’s available for pre-order in silver or black versions, with delivery expected to begin in January.
A real Lomography camera for fans of 35mm film photography
So what features can photographers expect in the Lomo MC-A? I’ve already mentioned the compact metal body, while the lens is a 32mm f/2.8 retractable multi-coated glass optic, featuring autofocus and area focusing from 0.4m. This retractable lens makes quite a noise when engaged – you have been warned!
Users have exposure control with options of fully automatic, aperture priority (f/2.8-16) or manual (there is a shutter speed range of 1/500 to 20 seconds, plus bulb), while the built-in flash offers creative flash modes, with additional accessories included.
The MC-A shoots 35mm film and can take multiple and long exposure images, while including a self-timer mode and tripod support. Your shot count, focus and exposure modes can all be displayed on the small top LCD panel.
It’s true, there’s no shortage of compact cameras in a similar mold to the MC-A that shoot 35mm or half-frame film, like the Pentax 17, Analogue aF-1, and Rollei 35AF, but I’m nonetheless particularly taken with the MC-A. Maybe it’s time to take Lomography seriously.
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