Did novelty camera maker Lomography just get serious? I held the MC-A — and it’s finally a proper 35mm film camera

• 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 my fair share of Lomography cameras down the years, and it's fair to say that the film camera maker majors on the characterful 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 served up a different kind of film camera which sits in a new 'Classic' range: the Lomo MC-A.

I've since had a brief hold of the MC-A, which one of my colleagues at our sister site Digital Camera World is reviewing, and the promo shots 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 glass lens and metal body. My first thought was 'Wow, has Lomography finally made a proper 35mm film camera?'

And why not? If any brand has consistently poured itself into making gear for film photography fans over the last decade, it's Lomography. But if you're already familiar with Lomography cameras like I am, you need to forget everything you know – the MC-A is an altogether classier offering, Lomo’Instant Wide Glass notwithstanding.

Mind you, its 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 due to start in January.

A proper Lomography camera for 35mm film photography fans

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 0.4 m. That retractable lens makes quite the sound when it's engaged – you've been warned!

Users have exposure control with options for fully automatic, aperture priority (f/2.8-16) or manual (there's a 1/500 to 20 sec shutter speed range, plus bulb), while the built-in flash offers creative flash modes, with additional accessories included.

The MC-A takes 35mm film and can shoot multiple and long-exposure images, as well as including a self-timer mode and tripod mount. Your shot count, focus and exposure modes can all be displayed on the dinky top LCD panel.

It's true, 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, the Analogue aF-1 and the Rollei 35AF, but I'm particularly enamoured by the MC-A nonetheless. Perhaps it's time to take Lomography seriously.

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