First Rolls with the Lomo MC-A 35 mm Film Camera: Lomography Japan

Every camera has its first roll overflowing with anticipation behind the shutter and often yielding surprises once developed. It’s a thrill familiar to every analogue photographer, stepping into the unknown where curiosity and spontaneity take the wheel.

That’s the kind of wonder the Lomography Japan team was chasing when they loaded their first rolls into the Lomo MC-A 35 mm Film Camera. After the familiar wait with hearts racing a little, the rolls came back filled with stories and surprises. Here, they share their first impressions, favorite frames and the little moments that brought this newest analogue camera to life.

Misa – Wherever the Light Finds the MC-A

Was there a fun, memorable moment from your time with the MC-A? How did its visual quality capture that moment?

I took the MC-A to some of my favorite places – Ueno Park, Asakusa, and the backstreets of Shibuya. I really wanted to capture my version of Tokyo with this camera. Of course, I also brought it along on my travels!

I love how portable it is, and the weight feels just right in the hand. Some shots were carefully composed, while others – like the photo of the woman walking – were quick captures of moments that happened in an instant. The MC-A handles both situations perfectly, so I could shoot without stress and really enjoy the process.

It’s the kind of camera that just makes you want to keep pressing the shutter!

Which frame is your favorite, and why?

I’d love to say all of them! But honestly, every single shot showed an incredible level of detail that really surprised me.

If I had to choose one, it would be the black-and-white photo of the boat. I took this photo in Kagoshima. The sunlight was so strong, I was worried the shot would get overexposed. But when I developed it, it turned out beautifully. You can really see the texture of the sea, right?

I can confidently say the MC-A is the perfect camera to take on a trip!

From day to night, in both color and black-and-white, how did this new point-and-shoot perform across such different conditions?

I deliberately chose challenging conditions for the test shoot. The photo with the garden light, from the first photo block, was taken inside a completely dark shrine, and the black-and-white photo was shot at the port in summer under very intense sunlight. Even so, the MC-A delivered an excellent performance and gave me many satisfying shots.

I selected subjects that would highlight the lens's rendering capabilities. I hope you'll take a closer look – zoom in if you can. The image quality is truly impressive!

Kota – Mundane Moments with a Lomo Twist

Where did the MC-A take you, and what caught your eye?

I'm more of a spontaneous photographer, so I didn't particularly plan anything special for the test shoot. Instead, I tried to have it in my bag or with me whenever I went out, so I guess many of my photos are the traces of my daily life.

What was the first thing that came to mind when you saw the developed photos?

Since the lens on the MC-A is the same 32 mm as the Lomo LC-A Minitar-1 Art Lens, I was somewhat expecting a heavy vignetting around the corners. However, it didn't take too long to discover I was wrong! The images I got with the MC-A were crisp and sharp around the edges too.

You tried the MC-A with three different film stocks. Which roll best revealed the camera’s character, and why?

I think the photos I shot on Lomography Color Negative ISO 400 are the best example to see how the lens renders colors; true to life and crisp. That said, I would encourage anyone trying to shoot with the MC-A to use at least one roll of Color Negative ISO 400! With the strong flash built into the camera, you really can't go wrong having this film in the MC-A all day, even at night.

Before I wrap it up, I would like to remind everyone to also try some black-and-white film! The colorless world is more beautiful than you could ever imagine.

But at the end of the day, Don’t worry about any rules so shoot whatever you feel like!

Now we're passing the camera to you! The Lomo MC-A 35 mm Film Camera is now available. Where will you take it first, and which film stock will you pair it with? Let us know in the comments!

written by maxinecruz on 2025-10-22 #gear #people #places #point-and-shoot #lomo-lc-a #lomography-japan Share Article