- Lomography announced the Lomo MC-A in October
- It has a glass lens with autofocus and a metal body
- Available for pre-order and priced at $549 / £449 / AU$799
I’ve tried my fair share of Lomography cameras over the years, and it’s fair to say that the film camera maker emphasizes character over outright quality.
From the experimental Sprocket Rocket 35mm panoramic film camera to the toy-like Lomourette and build-your-own Konstruktor SLR kit, novelty is generally on the menu. Recently, however, Lomography has served up a different kind of film camera, which sits in a new ‘Classic’ series: the Lomo MC-A.
I’ve since had a brief hold of the MC-A, as one of my colleagues at our sister site Digital Camera World reviews, and the promo photos don’t do it justice.
There’s a real weight to the MC-A, 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 proper 35mm film camera?’
And why not? If one brand has consistently delved into making gear for film photography fans over the past decade, it’s Lomography. But if you’re already familiar with Lomography cameras like I am, forget everything you know – the MC-A is a completely classic offering, regardless of the Lomo’Instant Wide Glass.
Remember, the price should be a telltale sign – the MC-A costs $549 / £449 / AU$799 from the Lomography website, where it’s available for pre-order in silver or black versions, with shipping starting in January.
A proper 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, complete with autofocus and zone focusing from 0.4m. The retractable lens makes a nice sound when engaged – you’ve been warned!
Users have exposure control with options for full auto, aperture priority (f/2.8-16) or manual (there’s a shutter speed range of 1/500 to 20 sec plus bulb), while the built-in flash offers creative flash modes, with optional accessories included.
The MC-A takes 35mm film and can shoot multiple and long exposures, as well as including a self-timer mode and tripod mount. Your number of shots, focus and exposure modes can all be displayed on the smart top LCD panel.
Granted, there’s no shortage of point-and-shoot cameras in a similar mold to the MC-A that shoot 35mm film or half-frame, such as the Pentax 17, Analogue aF-1, and Rollei 35AF, but I love the MC-A nonetheless. Maybe it’s time to take Lomography seriously.
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews and opinions in your feeds. Be sure to click the Follow button!
And of course you can too follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, video unboxings, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp also.
The best compact cameras
