Analog Therapy: Lomography MC-A Support Riddle 2 of 2 – LOMOCHROME Classicolor 200.
As noted in recent posts after a long successful run of initial rolls of film I have been dealing with some Lomography MC-A issies.
As shared with Lomography support:
- On the third-to-last roll of film, the camera would go dark after an exposure. The screen turns off, and the lens does not return into the camera. Was using the rechargeable battery that came with it, so I thought the battery might have gone dead early, since the battery showed that there was plenty of battery left. But when you take the battery cover off and put it back on, the camera springs back to life, and the lens goes back in. I did notice a blank frame on the negative, but did not think much of it. Charged it fully, and then on the second-to-last roll of film, it happened again. Thought the rechargeable battery may be faulty, so I used a new battery, and it did not shut off again, but…
- The remainder of the roll had numerous empty frames. 9 out of 27 frames were blank, and this is not normal. I am used to a nearly 100% hit rate with the MC-A. To make sure, I ran another roll of film through it, and once again 9 frames were blank. (Pictures of negative attached.) Photos were taken back to back with similar lighting conditions using P mode to take human error out of the equation. Paid close attention, and it also sounded like the shutter was sticking on some frames.
While waiting for a replacement battery from Lomography I thought the issues may be sorted after a successful roll with an Amazon Basics battery…
…gifted to me by Cesar…
…to bail me out of a tight spot while we were at a Lucha Libre/Car Show event. But then… the two replacement batteries arrived from Lomography. Charged them up and gave them a go. It did not go well.
Battery 1.
As I was loading the film the camera blacked out like it did with the original battery. I immediately removed it and put in…
Battery 2.
Roll seemed to go well, but once done I found that the second issue came back. This time it was not seven blank exposures, but thirteen.
No bueno.
End result? I do not trust this camera anymore.
That brought me back to trying only the Amazon battery.
The riddle?
Is the issue the battery or the camera?
With this roll it seems that the battery does play a part… maybe? Because while the Amazon battery and last Lomography battery seemed to solve the blackout issue, I have now seen the skipped frame issue with both as well… If a Lomography battery touched the camera’s battery compartment at any time… which makes no sense.
For this roll here I wanted to try only using the Amazon battery again. But regardless of the outcome I have now lost confidence in the camera. It should not behave this way no matter what battery I use.
Fortunately after a couple of weeks of silence and unreturned emails I heard back Lomography today and we have started the return/replace process.
Update sorted this post is about that roll with replacement battery number 2.
As stated before recent events I really like the Lomography MC-A.
The occasion.
Nothing Earth shattering. Running through a roll of film with the Amazon battery to see if the camera drops any frames mostly in a local small town downtown area, dodging signs supporting a sociopath/convicted felon and a statue of the losing side of an uncivil war.
The film.
Developed with Cinestill CS41.
The pics.
Thoughts.
Al 39 frames survived. Yay? Anyhoo. Glad Lomography is getting me another camera. I want to trust the MC-A again.
Analog therapy session was impacted by will it/won’t it frame loss anxiety, but I am glad a resolution from Lomography is now in play.
Happy capturing.
Eric L. Woods 