Olympus XA a couple of questions.

Dave Wilkinson

Dave Wilkinson

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As I get older, I like to travel light, so am looking for a pocket camera, digital is the sensible answer, for my holidays, etc., but try as I may I can't get enthusiastic about the medium!, so right now I'm watching a couple of XA's on Ebay. I believe a couple of small batteries operate everything, and wonder what life expectancy and availability is like? The lens seems to have a good reputation, - I print max A4 inkjets, and about 9x12 in the darkroom, - sometimes cropping, will I be happy? 0r perhaps I should look for a Yashica with Ziess lens?

Comments appreciated,- before I start bidding!

Dave.
 
I have had 2 XA's for some years. I love them. I have no problems getting the batteries. They seem to last a year or more--plenty long. The lens is top quality. I think every film shooter should have an XA just because it is so pocketable. But recognize that for black & white its utility is limited, since it is not easy to attach filters or a lens shade.
 
Since I have bought my XA I wonder how I could live without it. I consider the lens as excellent with some vignetting wide open. I like the Rangefinder and the fact that it brings great results when used as a scale focus camera. The batteries should live more than a year. It is a very quiet camera, much more than a motorized Yashica. The design beats any other 35mm pocket.
 
I've seen/heard only a few people that can't get used to the XA. The lens is just amazing. It's super-corrected for the market that it's designed for.

But... if you *really* hate vignetting, might want to skip this camera 🙂

I also have a Yashica T3D with T* Tessar lens. It's amazing what you can get out of this (especially B+W), but it's nowhere as compact and as fun to use as the XA.
 
Thanks for the comments gentlemen! - seems like it will be money well spent!, but -Will, now I'm thinking about that Yashica! ...I spend time in the Mediteranian islands, and like to wonder around the street markets, and alleys shooting B+W, so
maybe I better get one of each, and let the wife put one in her bag! 😀

Dave
 
They ae great. I have two. Only because I found them for $20 each! The A-16 is a decent flash too.
 
I love the XA. I always have either the XA or a Rollei 35 in a jacket pocket (loaded with color film) to supplement the Canon P with the TriX. 🙂

Provided its cool enough for a jacket anyway.

The XA's RF can be a bit fiddly, but it works. And the lens is wide enough to scale focus if you don't want to bother. I've found the AE to be very good overall.

Pretty tough too. Just get the foam seals cleaned up and replaced, and toss an extra battery in a pocket just in case.
 
Dave Wilkinson said:
Thanks for the comments gentlemen! - seems like it will be money well spent!, but -Will, now I'm thinking about that Yashica! ...I spend time in the Mediteranian islands, and like to wonder around the street markets, and alleys shooting B+W, so
maybe I better get one of each, and let the wife put one in her bag! 😀

Dave
Click to expand...

Let me put another bug in your ear that will be perfect for wondering around: XA-4 😀
 
Very sharp lens. The flash is removable which suites me just fine for daylight. You will need to check the seals. & always when you travel carry extra batteries.
 
sepiareverb said:
Don't rule out a Contax T2 if you can deal with some automation- stunning little Sonnar on a T2. A little bigger than the XA, but I carry one often.
Click to expand...

No argument here on the performance of the T2! I have both the XA and the T2 and surely the T2 wins hands down especially for color work for saturation and contrast though it is quite a bit heavier in the pocket than the XA. But the XA lens performance being no slouch it's what I carry when I do not have a good strong pocket to hold the T2.
 
I can't wait to get some TMY-2 in my XA. 😀

I have an enlargement full-frame on 8x10 paper that is hanging on the wall. Tri-X @ 200, HC-110, neg made in 1984-ish ... no one can believe it's from such a tiny little "toy" camera.
 
I have one and a Ricoh GR1v, which in many respects is a better camera (but much more expensive). But I prefer the XA's 35mm lens to the wider lens of the Ricoh.

The only problem I've had with my XA is that the rangefinder patch has faded and is very hard to see in most kinds of light. The following might be of interest:

http://www.urban75.org/photos/olympus-xa.html

http://diaxa.nfshost.com/xa/xa.htm
 
Another thumbs up for the XA. The OP asked about life expectancy of the camera. I bought mine new in the early 1980s, still own it, and it's still going strong. The rf patch is faded, the exterior is a bit nicked, but the lens is still great and the shutter and meter are still working just fine. Never had it serviced. If you want a capable rf you can slip into your pocket, it's just right.
 
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