Author: hub

Link: First impressions: Lomography LOMO MC-A

I mentioned the Lomography LOMO MC-A recently. Kosmo Foto has had the privilege to shoot with one for a while and now have their first impressions of the Lomography LOMO MC-A.

Lomography is know for cheap plastic cameras that define the style of what people call “Lomography”, a sort of lo-fi photography.

Lomography’s new 35mm compact camera is a world away from simpler cameras like the LomoApparat or the Fisheye No. 2.

As it stands the LOMO MC-A is already on a different trajectory of more premium, with a build quality that feel solid with metal parts, exposure system, autofocus with manual options.

The test rolls seems to show good results. At ₤450 (CA$699) it’s definitely not cheap, but the result seems to be on par. This show the commitment of Lomography to film photography in general, as they also release a new film. Kosmo Foto expects to publish a more thorough review in 2026.

Fujifilm GFX 100RF Fragment Edition

Fujifilm still has supply issues where the X-E5 is still hard to find (still waiting on my notification from the retailer).

But now they announce a special edition of the GFX 100RF… a special collaboration with Japanese musician and fashion designer Hiroshi Fujiwara

Beside a few more specially designed accessories and finishes, like a leather strap, the camera is the same as the GFX 100RF, albeit with a higher price tag. On this special edition camera the Monochrome film recipe (and its filtered variants) is being replaced by the FRGMT BW recipe.

From Fujifilm, here is the official FRGMT BW FS Recipe:

– Film Simulation: ACROS
– Grain effect: Strong, large
– Tone Curve (Highlight): +4
– Tone Curve (Shadow): +2
– Sharpness:-4
– High sensitivity noise reduction:-4
– Clarity: +5
– Exposure compensation: +1/3

To get one you’ll need to reserve it starting 20th Dec 2025 at 11:00 (likely Tokyo time), and a lottery will attribute the very limited number and the price of ￥998,000 (including taxes). The regular version is sold for ￥822,200 at Yodobashi, making this about CA$1500 more.

Link: both eyes open – nine years with the Fujifilm TX-1

both eyes open – nine years with the Fujifilm TX-1 is an updated version the long term review I already mentioned last year.

The Fujfilm TX-1 (or its Swedish sibling the XPan) is still on top of my wanted camera list. The problem is more that it calls for a hefty price, which, despite being simple in operation, remains a fairly complex camera that will be hard to repair.

I still haven’t gotten a proper solution for shooting 65:24 either on film or digital.

“The New Era of Film Scanning”

From Soke Engineering: Knokke The New Era of Film Scanning.

Strips of slide film (positive) on a light table viewed in a diagonal orientation. The punchy colours brings joy to the photographer.
Strips of slide film on the light table.

The very short version: a new 35 mm film scanner with roll feed, not unlike the Pakon. But with modern parts, repairability, and open-source software to drive it. The software part is not negligible. You cannot use a Pakon without installing the software on obsolete Microsoft malware. Same for the very expensive Fujifilm Frontier, for for Nikon or any other vendor from decades ago. And without the software they are expensive bricks.

Their target price is €999 at launch, later €1599 (I do have questions). With an intent to scan a roll in 5 minutes at a resolution of 4064 dpi.

It’s still in a state of development, with a Kickstarter planned for Q1 2026, so it’s not available soon yet. But it’s good to see a renewed interest in that niche of equipment that the previous manufacturers have abandoned with their software no one can fix and that doesn’t run on modern computers.

I’ll make sure to post an update.

(One of my) Local photo store closing

The Montreal Gazette is reporting that ‘A real institution’: Old Montreal camera shop Photo Service to close after 89 years:

The sign Photo Service Ltee protruding from the facade and viewed from below
Photo Service Ltee sign

A Montreal photography institution is closing after 89 years of operation. Photo Service in Old Montreal will slide the key under the door on Jan. 3, leaving many photo professionals and hobbyists in limbo.

Not the first time, nor the last time. Lozeau already closed a while back (I didn’t talk about it here) after they got pillaged by Henry’s.

Last time I tried to get to Photo Service it was 3PM on a Saturday and they were closed. Feels like their hobbyist customers have to come during the week. Camtec was open, on the same street, and then I could just mail order, even though I always try to patronise local stores.

[..] the film processing lab, which he says is among the best in the city. The store’s processing and archiving services will continue after the shop’s closure thanks to a partnership with Kant Photo on Stanley St., the details of which have yet to be ironed out.

Not sure what that means. Redirect the customers? Expand Kant Photo activities with their lab machines?

Another major factor, Savard says, is Sony’s refusal to recognize Photo Service as an authorized retailer, “for unexplained reasons, despite all our efforts. We’re almost the only store of this size in Canada not to be recognized.”

Never been a fan of Sony cameras, not sure why, but that looks like Sony would rather sell at Best Buy… or they really hate small family operated outlets, as it seems to be a similar situation elsewhere.

Anyway, life goes on, that mean more business for the stores that are left.

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Categorized as News Tagged

October 2025 Links

Kodak Colour Negative Film and Colour Print Making Materials & Processes – researched by Michael Talbert — A collection of material about early Kodak film processes. We learn that Kodachrome initially cost US$3.50 a roll in 1936 (this included processing) which is US$54 in 2009… and learn how complicated its development process was. And from there many other links. A rabbit hole.

The Leica M EV1 Just Entered a Spec War It Can’t Win and Destroyed Its Own Value Proposition — The headline itself is what I thought of this camera.

Flashes and Strobes

Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages — A list of flash strobes and their trigger voltage. It’s important to match it with your camera as some might have more than 100V.

Sam’s Strobe FAQ — Notes on the Troubleshooting and Repair of Electronic Flash Units and Strobe Lights (Archived) — Tips on repairing electronic flash units.

New Fujifilm X-T30 III and XC 13-33mm

Also today were announced the new Fujifilm X-T30 III and the XC 13-33mm F3.5-6.3 OIS.

The X-T30 III is just a refresh of the X-T30 II from 2021, the entry level X-series body. Added is the new processor on top of the X-Trans IV sensor, bringing it in par with the X-M5 and X-S20, with updated auto focus and video capabilities.

From the control changes, the left dial is no longer used for drive. but instead is, like on the X-T50 and the X-M5, the film simulation dial, with support for film recipes as introduced by the X-E5. Still hoping for a firmware update doing this on the X-M5.

It also adds direct printing support to the Instax Link printers as well as the associated “crops” for the Mini, Square and Wide formats. Fujifilm, can we get a firmware update to do that on the X-M5 and X-E5 ?

This camera comes optionally with the new XC 13-33mm F3.5-6.3 OIS that replaces the XC 14-45. A bit wider, and shorter, slower at the long end, and it dropped the power zoom.

Shipping in November 2025 body only for CA$1249, or in December as a kit for CA$1449, in three different colours, Silver, Black and Graphite.

DPReview: Fujifilm X-T30 III adds fresh ingredients to familiar recipe.

Fujifilm product page.