Lomography made a new film camera that charges with USB-C

Lomography announced a new Lomo MC-A film camera, a 35mm format point-and-shoot with a fixed 32mm f/2.8 lens and metal body. It’s a charmer of a new film shooter, complete with a built-in flash, autofocusing glass lens, manual film advance lever, and an included CR2 battery that recharges via USB-C. The MC-A is available for preorder now for $549 in black or silver, and it’s going to be made in small batches with the first delivering “before December 24th.”

Lomo cameras have a reputation for being mostly toy-like and choosing fun over features or tech specs. But the MC-A seems a very competent point-and-shoot for street photography or everyday slice-of-life type pictures. It has full manual exposure control, as well as auto and aperture priority modes, and the option for manual zone focusing. You can even do multi-exposure captures to get extra artsy.

It reminds me a lot of the Pentax 17 I reviewed last year, though its full-format 35mm instead of half frame and costs just $50 more. While the Pentax’s charm came from its small, compact stature and how it could get up to 72 shots per roll, the Lomo MC-A will have more resolution and only weigh around 42 grams more. And though both are powered by CR2 batteries, the fact that the Lomo comes with a rechargeable one circumvents a slightly annoying pain point of using old-fashioned cameras. Though, in a pinch, you can still use disposable CR2s.

And because Lomo seems unable to help itself from being quirky, the MC-A includes its Splitzer lens attachment for splitting multiple exposures onto the same frame and flash gels for giving the built-in flash a bold and colorful look. The camera body itself is also emblazoned with a well-meaning but fairly cringey mantra of “Everybody is equal before the lens — and behind it.”

But quirks, novelties, and cheesy slogans aside, the Lomo MC-A looks like a very well-rounded package for a modern film point-and-shoot.