This thing - on paper at least! - blows away the Pentax 17 and Rollei 35AF. As well as that new AF1 thing which now is just big and ugly.
The specs are pretty wild! Pretty much what people have been asking for. What is most impressive is how they kept this thing secret! I hope the build quality is good - it says metal but so is their newish Lomomatic 110. When I checked that out it felt super thin and flimsy - heavier plastic would have been better.
Film format: 35 mm film (135 film)
Exposure area: full-frame, 36 mm × 24 mm
Lens focal length: 32 mm
Lens construction: 5 elements in 5 groups, multi-coated glass lens
Aperture range: f/2.8 – f/16
Shutter speed range: bulb (B), 1 s – 1/500
Exposure modes: program auto, aperture priority, manual
Exposure compensation range: -2 to +2 EV
ISO settings: DX (auto), ISO 12 to ISO 3200 (manual)
Focus modes: auto-focus, manual zone focus (0.4 m, 0.8 m, 1.5 m, 3 m, Inf.)
Built-in flash: default OFF, auto flash, 1st curtain long exposure programmatic flash mode, rear curtain long exposure programmatic flash mode
Flash coverage: 4 m at ISO 400, f/2.8
Self-timer: yes (off, 2 s, 10 s, 30 s)
Film advance & rewind: manual (lever)
Multiple exposures: yes
Tripod socket: 1⁄4”
Viewfinder: reflective bright frame optical viewfinder
Filter thread: 30.5 mm
Battery supply: 1 × USB-C Rechargeable CR2 Battery (3V-3.7V) (included)
Camera dimensions: 125.8 mm (w) × 69.5 mm (h) × 42 mm (d)
Weight: 332 g (battery excluded)
It kinda looks like a Nikon 35ti or Contax - which is a good thing. Flash default setting is OFF! Manual film advance and rewind (bet it does not tear film like the new Rollei!). Dx and manual film speed settings. AF and zone focus! AE comp dial! Real shutter speed dial! Real aperture dial! AE and full Manual! Lens threaded for filters! Will not scratch film unlike a $6000 Leica M6!
This compact and durable 35 mm camera features a metal body with a premium 32 mm f/2.8 multi-coated Lomo glass lens, delivering sharp, vibrant 35 mm images bursting with unmistakable analogue character. Whether capturing everyday life, special events, or getting artistic, the Lomo MC-A is a versatile companion that adapts to your pace. Choose between fully automatic settings for point-and-shoot simplicity, aperture priority mode, or full manual control for complete creative freedom, with a detailed LCD screen that makes all your settings clear and accessible.
Shooting Modes for Every Style
Built for everyone from curious beginners to seasoned analogue shooters, the Lomo MC-A puts you in charge of your creative vision with three versatile shooting modes, fast autofocus or manual zone-focusing from 0.4 m, and a powerful built-in flash or PC-sync flash connection.
Program Auto Exposure: effortless point-and-shoot simplicity, ideal for beginners or anyone who wants to focus on the moment rather than the settings. The LOMO MC-A automatically sets both shutter speed and aperture according to your surroundings. A slow shutter speed indicator light will light up in orange in the viewfinder, when the shutter speed is slower than 1/30 and will warn you of possible camera shaking.
Aperture Priority Auto Exposure: designed for photographers who want creative depth-of-field control without losing the convenience of auto exposure. You choose the aperture (f/2.8 – f/16), while the camera calculates the shutter speed for a balanced, schoolbook exposure. Perfect for portraits, street shots and any scene where selective focus matters. A slow shutter speed indicator light will light up in orange in the viewfinder, when the shutter speed is slower than 1/30 and will warn you of possible camera shaking.
Fully Manual: take complete control of both shutter speed and aperture, with additional exposure compensation control – perfect for more experienced photographers who want to fine-tune every shot, experiment with creative effects, or push the limits of film. Use bulb mode for long exposures, light painting, or capturing trails of movement in low light.
The LOMO MC-A flash is OFF by default, and when enabled, offers three different creative modes:
Auto Flash: the camera will automatically adjust the flash output based on your surroundings. In Program Auto- and Aperture Priority Exposure modes, the slowest shutter speed is limited to 1/30s when your flash is on, reducing any camera shake.
Lomo Creative Flash Mode 1: a programmatic flash with front-curtain synchronization during long exposures, and optimized exposure curve for night scenes.
Lomo Creative Flash Mode 2: a programmatic flash with rear-curtain synchronization during long exposures, and optimized exposure curve for night scenes.
Why should I buy this camera and not a point & shoot camera from the second-hand market?
Unlike old second-hand cameras, the Lomo MC-A is brand new, reliable and ready to shoot without the risks of worn-out shutters, failing light seals or electronics that might give out mid-roll. Most vintage compact cameras lock you into auto mode. The Lomo MC-A gives you both point-and-shoot simplicity and full manual freedom, as well as experimental features like multiple exposures, long exposures, a Splitzer lens attachment, and colored gel filters. What’s more, you’re not just buying a camera; you’re joining the Lomography movement with support, a warranty and a global Community that thrives on creativity.
How does manual focus work?
In MF (Manual Zone Focus) mode, the Focus is set manually by switching the Zone Focusing Lever to your desired distance (0.4 m, 0.8 m, 1.5 m, 3 m or infinity).
Desmolicious wrote:
This thing - on paper at least! - blows away the Pentax 17 and Rollei 35AF. As well as that new AF1 thing which now is just big and ugly.
The specs are pretty wild! Pretty much what people have been asking for. What is most impressive is how they kept this thing secret! I hope the build quality is good - it says metal but so is their newish Lomomatic 110. When I checked that out it felt super thin and flimsy - heavier plastic would have been better.
Film format: 35 mm film (135 film)
Exposure area: full-frame, 36 mm × 24 mm
Lens focal length: 32 mm
Lens construction: 5 elements in 5 groups, multi-coated glass lens
Aperture range: f/2.8 – f/16
Shutter speed range: bulb (B), 1 s – 1/500
Exposure modes: program auto, aperture priority, manual
Exposure compensation range: -2 to +2 EV
ISO settings: DX (auto), ISO 12 to ISO 3200 (manual)
Focus modes: auto-focus, manual zone focus (0.4 m, 0.8 m, 1.5 m, 3 m, Inf.)
Built-in flash: default OFF, auto flash, 1st curtain long exposure programmatic flash mode, rear curtain long exposure programmatic flash mode
Flash coverage: 4 m at ISO 400, f/2.8
Self-timer: yes (off, 2 s, 10 s, 30 s)
Film advance & rewind: manual (lever)
Multiple exposures: yes
Tripod socket: 1⁄4”
Viewfinder: reflective bright frame optical viewfinder
Filter thread: 30.5 mm
Battery supply: 1 × USB-C Rechargeable CR2 Battery (3V-3.7V) (included)
Camera dimensions: 125.8 mm (w) × 69.5 mm (h) × 42 mm (d)
Weight: 332 g (battery excluded)...Show more →
I've really come to love the visual design of the Pentax 17. I've come close to buying one so many times. Still, 48-72 exposures a roll just isnt my jam.
ottokbre wrote:
I've really come to love the visual design of the Pentax 17. I've come close to buying one so many times. Still, 48-72 exposures a roll just isnt my jam.
Here is some MC-A in motion.
I haz to dizagree. I hate all the different surface textures on the17, the way it seems they forgot to put a 'skin' on the back, the protruding screw (that isn't captured) on the battery grip. And needing to memorize/decode the flashing leds in the VF? I don't have time for that nonsense...
This Lomo basically is what people were hoping that Leica was going to release - a new version of the Minilux. Instead they gave us an MP badged as an M6.
I am not going to pre-order though because I want to have one in my hands first before deciding. I mentioned this before, but the Lomomatic 110 which all the 'reviewers' said was amazing with the metal body etc was very disappointing to me when I actually got to try it out at my local shop. Looked great, but felt chintzy and cheap with a lame VF that did not have frame lines.
I don't think the MC-A will be like that - my Lomo LC-W is excellent - but I want to be able to buy it from a shop like B&H where I can return it very easily if it blows. Buying from lomography does not allow for that.
I have had two LC-A 120s that failed after a few rolls (shutters died)...
Desmolicious wrote:
I don't think the MC-A will be like that - my Lomo LC-W is excellent - but I want to be able to buy it from a shop like B&H where I can return it very easily if it blows. Buying from lomography does not allow for that.
I have had two LC-A 120s that failed after a few rolls (shutters died)...
Your LC-A 120 experiences really bum me out because that's the perfect step-up Holga for my 120 desires (I'm sitting on some Fuji 400H in 120). I've got a Hola hack in the works though that should scratch that itch.
The area of the MC-A I am slightly concerned about are the wind-on and the VF. But on paper this thing has everything I really want in the form factor that I want.
ottokbre wrote:
Your LC-A 120 experiences really bum me out because that's the perfect step-up Holga for my 120 desires (I'm sitting on some Fuji 400H in 120). I've got a Hola hack in the works though that should scratch that itch.
The area of the MC-A I am slightly concerned about are the wind-on and the VF. But on paper this thing has everything I really want in the form factor that I want.
Yeah I absolutely loved the images I got from the LC-A 120. But both literally failed after a couple of rolls. And that is ignoring the fact that the film feed was random and you got maybe 9-10 shots on a 12 shot roll.
I honestly would have paid $1k for that thing if it was built to last - ya know like a normal camera.
I'm wondering about the zone focus. Does it go to the position selected the moment that selection is made? Or does the lens stay parked and only moves when the shutter button is pressed?
