The New Lomography MC-A. The new AF point and shoot.

auntiemaryscanary said:
I'm guessing it's not been released long going by the announcement of the "double glass" M39 lens just yesterday on the F&C Chroma thread.
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I try to avoid most of the camera threads, it makes me spend money.

Let me know if it fits okay into a trouser pocket when it arrives. Still looking for a camera I can carry when I’m at work. Tested the sprocket rocket and it looks like I’m walking around in a permanent state of arousal or have some weird growth down there!
 
auntiemaryscanary said:
I've now decided, and purchased, a brand new 35mm camera after my disappointment with the MC-A. I've gone for a Chroma Click from our very own @stevelmx5
chroma.camera

Click - 35mm Camera

Chroma Camera
chroma.camera

I saw on the F&C Chroma thread that the "double glass" 24mm lens had been released but I don't own a Leica or any M39 mount camera. Looking around the Chroma site I saw the Click that has that lens and hit the "buy" button. It also does half frame which I'm very fond of.

Alternative brand new cameras considered and rejected were the Kodak/Reto's Snapic A1 and H35N.

If I like the camera I may purchase a Chroma Six6 and use my Mamiya Press 90mm lens. If I did buy a Six6 that and the Click costs £75 less than the MC-A.

I'm not expecting any manufacturing issues with the Click but if there are I am confident they will be resolved very quickly.
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Thanks a lot for your order, I really appreciate it. I’m currently assembling 8 Clicks, including yours, so it should go out early next week.


Cheers
Steve
 
bumper said:
Didn’t know that there was a complete compact. Thought they were all medium format bodies. Looks interesting.
Let me know how you go on with it.
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As per the post above, I released the Click as a very small volume (50 cameras) “passion project” in December. I’ve always wanted to design and build a complete camera from the ground up, which is where the Click came from.

The Double Glass lens optics were originally designed and manufactured for the Click (2 coated glass symmetrical elements) but I liked the rendering so much when I tested the first ones that I designed the standalone M39/L39 mount body for use on screw mount rangefinders or any digital Mirrorless with an adaptor.
 
srichards said:
According to a post down the bottom of this page the second version of the MC-A has a much shorter throw on the winder and it's a lot smoother than the early ones.
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Hopefully good news.

I was going to finish my roll off this morning but who would've guessed...................it's raining!
We've had a couple of lovely days here but I've been too busy at work.
I wanted to test it in sun or at least bright(ish) weather to check how it exposes. Every photo I've taken outside so far has been in very dull and overcast weather.
 
srichards said:
According to a post down the bottom of this page the second version of the MC-A has a much shorter throw on the winder and it's a lot smoother than the early ones.

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Hope it is improved. Shame they let their customers finish off their testing for them instead of doing it thoroughly themselves. Sure, there is a possibility of something arising completely unforeseen but I just felt I was paying for the privilege of using a (pre?) production prototype.

I was unsure if it was something I was doing wrong but there has been a significant revision so I now know it was a fault with the camera design/manufacture and not me.
 
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Having looked at the specs of this i think i will probably get one instead of another MC-A. Not going to pre order. Will wait until others have used it properly instead of pre ordering and being a beta tester again.

af1.analogueshop.com

Analogue aF-1 | Just Point and Shoot | Pre order now

Available: winter 2025/26. Pre-launch offer. We designed a camera that helps you to slow down, observe your surroundings and focus on the beauty of the present. Discover the joy of capturing life, one frame at a time. Because greatness, takes time.
af1.analogueshop.com af1.analogueshop.com
 
srichards said:
Having looked at the specs of this i think i will probably get one instead of another MC-A. Not going to pre order. Will wait until others have used it properly instead of pre ordering and being a beta tester again.

af1.analogueshop.com

Analogue aF-1 | Just Point and Shoot | Pre order now

Available: winter 2025/26. Pre-launch offer. We designed a camera that helps you to slow down, observe your surroundings and focus on the beauty of the present. Discover the joy of capturing life, one frame at a time. Because greatness, takes time.
af1.analogueshop.com af1.analogueshop.com
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Keep looking at this on YouTube but it’s been delayed again.
Exactly like you, don’t want to be a beta tester. Especially one thats paid full price for the privilege.

By the time it comes out I could’ve had all summer with another camera, maybe even shot a full roll through it too lol!!
 
Glad they’ve improved the lever throw and spacing/alignment issues. Not really fussed about the flash problem. I’d very rarely use it, maybe with a heavily backlit subject. Don’t think I’ve used flash on the p17’s unless I’ve moved the dial unknowingly. If you’re inside and need a group/party shot, most people use a phone. They should’ve stuck a hot shoe on it instead and left that text off the top. I’ve got other cameras to use if I know I need flash. Using the L2 mode at 1/250(or was it 1/500) is plenty good enough for a compact for me. Again, if I load a roll of 36 and get 36 non flash I’ll be happy.

A bit mean giving it 5/10 again. Their copy was improved from last time (excluding their flash). Knocking it down because you may have future issues is poor really, you could say that about anything you buy.
 
It's partly Lomo's fault. If they had actually bothered to test it they would have found out for themselves and could have said they intended to have flash sync at all speeds but unfortunately it won't. Far better to say that then pretend it works when it doesn't. If a manufacturer claims it does X and it doesn't then it's double point deduction in my mind so the points gained for decent transport are lost by misleading claims on the flash.

The fact that it fails and the film gets no flash when it fires visibly is worse. You think you've got a reasonable photo and you haven't. It's a firmware error. They need to either sync at all flash speeds so it doesn't happen or fix the shutter speed in low enough light conditions to always have the flash sync if it's needed.

Other people are still having exposure issues with it metering at odd levels and also inconsistent metering so it gives a different result depending on whether it's just been wound on or not. There's definitely some janky firmware in this camera.
 
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srichards said:
Other people are still having exposure issues with it metering at odd levels and also inconsistent metering so it gives a different result depending on whether it's just been wound on or not. There's definitely some janky firmware in this camera.
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I had metering showing at odd levels in my first production release model (along with the other well documented issues). This is something they've known about which they should now have fixed, ideally should have been done on the first release. I'd only shot a single roll and was undecided about giving Lomo the benefit of the doubt on the MC-A in the end I didn't and thankfully sent it back.

With continuing issues on upgraded releases I won't be chancing a MC-A purchase a second time. I should be their ideal customer - I love shooting film and have the disposable income to purchase one.
 
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srichards said:
It's partly Lomo's fault. If they had actually bothered to test it they would have found out for themselves and could have said they intended to have flash sync at all speeds but unfortunately it won't. Far better to say that then pretend it works when it doesn't. If a manufacturer claims it does X and it doesn't then it's double point deduction in my mind so the points gained for decent transport are lost by misleading claims on the flash.

The fact that it fails and the film gets no flash when it fires visibly is worse. You think you've got a reasonable photo and you haven't. It's a firmware error. They need to either sync at all flash speeds so it doesn't happen or fix the shutter speed in low enough light conditions to always have the flash sync if it's needed.

Other people are still having exposure issues with it metering at odd levels and also inconsistent metering so it gives a different result depending on whether it's just been wound on or not. There's definitely some janky firmware in this camera.
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I wouldn’t have known about any flash issues but surely they can rectify it. Didn’t know others were having odd metering. Like I said previously, needed a few extra months of real world testing before they released it. At least they’re slowly fixing issues but some are basic things that they must’ve known about.

I still haven’t finished my first roll, again due to work and weather. Think I should get it finished and developed, quickly!
 
srichards said:
Petapixel have done a review. Seems a bit gushy. Suggests user error for over lapped frames which feels a bit of a stretch.

View: https://youtu.be/90eraf0yMeQ?si=a08tmIKKQL0S2Afn
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I’ll have a look at that when I get in from work.

If it’s user error, why have they adjusted the lever throw on the newer versions? I have to advance mine into the next county to get a full wind on, the amended bodies appear to stop just past the corner. I said ages ago that lever/gearing was an issue. Just hope they’ve now 100%fixed it. Perhaps he’s got the new one on test.
 
Roll finished :banana:

What a racket rewinding it, also had to keep the rewind button pressed in with my finger. That was not easy, my fingers didn’t really fit into the recess. They may have done when I was 5!

Jus need to check my hc110, it looked like treacle when I last checked:oops: :$
 
I usually keep any rewind button pressed in for the entire film out of habit!

I know nothing but I suspect treacle consistency isn't a good thing...
 
srichards said:
I usually keep any rewind button pressed in for the entire film out of habit!

I know nothing but I suspect treacle consistency isn't a good thing...
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Usually do too but I had a job squeezing my finger into the hole. Got no nails to speak of either.

May get some mono bath stuff. Don’t want to go to town because I’m not sure how it’s working yet.
 
I'd probably be lazy and send it off for dev only to somewhere. Not that I'm impatient to find out how you got on or anything :)
 
srichards said:
I'd probably be lazy and send it off for dev only to somewhere. Not that I'm impatient to find out how you got on or anything :)
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I’ll just be happy if there’s something on the roll lol!

I’d did take photos of any old crap just to get through the roll. Can’t remember most of them, it’s soooooo long ago.
I’ve got a roll of colorplus 200 in a 17 from last year. It expired in June 2025, thought I’d pop it in to use it and it just never happened :ROFLMAO:
 
All done. Risked the 110, just drying now. They look ok.

I think there’s 39 images, maybe 38.5. Spacing isn’t even but the only overlaps are at the start of the roll when I wasn’t winding fully and had to do mini winds to advance fully.
Lots of dog and canal shots and a burnt out train, forgot about that one. I’ll try to scan them tomorrow if I get in early.
 
Here's a few.
hp5+ @400

Not too bad for hc110 that was bought way before 2020. Digitalised using my om-3 and 30mm macro.

Shot at apertures up to f8 and using auto and zone focus. It hates any sort of light hitting the lens!
fortunately 99% were on grey flat days.....





 
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Also discovered that the frame lines in the viewfinder are a very rough estimate.
 
Yes, I’m keeping it. Images are a bit hit and miss compared to the Pentax but it’s only taking snapshots. It flares really easily, even with strong side sun, it may be the supplied filter not helping too. I’ll try a different film, I don’t like hp5. But these were just scanned and inverted and cropped, not altered or added any contrast etc.. Exposure isn’t bad, not like others have been reporting. Not keen on the viewfinder. I took a reflection shot and 100% know I included the reflection but it cropped it off slightly. The grumpy shot above isn’t how I framed it either. I think you’ve got to be 100% square on with the frame lines and your eye. The lamppost in the child snatcher ice cream van shot wasn’t positioned like that either in the viewfinder.

Overall it’s just okay. Not as stellar as I was hoping for. Importantly, I can use it with one hand when walking my dog. I was expecting them all to be blurred going off the shutter sound. All of the images have turned out, which surprised me, apart from the odd image with a dog lead in it :ROFLMAO:

Dog is looking because he’s on my office chair and he’s got to get off it lol! I treated myself to a leather wingback swivel chair. It ended up as dog bed covered in his blanket to stop him scratching it and I have to stand up at my desk!!
 
The 17 wins hands down. Better lens, no faults with any of mine at all. I just wish it had a better body build. It’s nice to hold but just feels cheap, especially the back. The dials spin too easily too on mine. Still contemplating a second mca in silver though.

The locking lever on the mca is advancing too fast after taking the shot I think. I’m sure it mentions it in the manual and how to unlock it.
 
The cheap feel of the 17 is annoying. I picked mine up the other day and thought 'what squeaky dog toy is this' about it. Been using the Trip and the Hi-matic and they're both very solid.

For one handed casual shooting I find the snapic is perfect. Don't have to fart about with winding it on.
 
srichards said:
The cheap feel of the 17 is annoying. I picked mine up the other day and thought 'what squeaky dog toy is this' about it. Been using the Trip and the Hi-matic and they're both very solid.

For one handed casual shooting I find the snapic is perfect. Don't have to fart about with winding it on.
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I never wind on until I take the shot, it’s a bit of a natural habit now. It always bites me on the bum though when I rush to get a shot and nothing happens when I press the shutter button……and then it’s too late.

You appear to have a choice of cameras to use of late. Are the new/old ones behaving?

You do know it’s bordering on being an obsession and not a collection.
I like how you recommended a camera you’ve seen, then go and buy it. You literally sell it to yourself:ROFLMAO:
 
bumper said:
You appear to have a choice of cameras to use of late. Are the new/old ones behaving?

You do know it’s bordering on being an obsession and not a collection.
I like how you recommended a camera you’ve seen, then go and buy it. You literally sell it to yourself:ROFLMAO:
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The hi-matic is the only one i’ve pimped out that i bought myself!

Used ones are a mixed bag. The nikon compact with the funky flash seems to have skipped a few frames too. The rest are fairly ok. Some I’ve owned for quite a few years.

Had a clear out year before last and probably got rid of too many so have bought a herd of cheapish ones to keep me out of mischief. :)
 
srichards said:
The hi-matic is the only one i’ve pimped out that i bought myself!

Used ones are a mixed bag. The nikon compact with the funky flash seems to have skipped a few frames too. The rest are fairly ok. Some I’ve owned for quite a few years.

Had a clear out year before last and probably got rid of too many so have bought a herd of cheapish ones to keep me out of mischief. :)
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Not tempted to get another mc-a now they appear to have fixed the spacing?
 
bumper said:
Not tempted to get another mc-a now they appear to have fixed the spacing?
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Not yet. I want to see how well they stand up to regular use. The AF1 that has been delayed appeals more. I do like a motorwind :banana:
 
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