XA2 at the beach

[dave lackey]

Short weekend at Gulf Shores over Mother's Day and while I was blown away with the slides shot with my Nikon AF....I did carry the XA2 to see how it worked for casual snapshots. Quite nicely, I think.🙂


At Lulu's (Jimmy Buffet's sister owns this restaurant and the food is amazing!):

At the condo:

 

[dave lackey]

Now, having posted a couple of snaps, I have decided to wait awhile to give a little "good, bad and ugly" review of the XA2. So far, I have run a couple of rolls of color film and one roll of Arista Premium through it. Another color roll was destroyed this week (story coming about that roll and the XA2!).

So far, the images have been mediocre. Can I use the XA2 in a way that enhances the images, utilizing it's character and strengths? Can I produce "art"? I dunno... time will tell.

Is it good enough for snapshots? Certainly! 😀

 

[pvdhaar]

Hi Dave,

nothing wrong with your snapshots! The XA2 is the camera to take along for these kind of shots if you don't want to take a camera along (does this make sense? I guess you know what I mean)..


That said, there's a couple of things I found that have big impact on my XA2 images..

First, there's the aperture versus shutter speed thing.. I find the XA2 has a preference for slow shutter speeds, and rather closes the aperture down too early to get more DOF. Probably this is to cover for having only 3 distance settings that don't overlap in DOF at f3.5.. The result is that a lot of images I shoot have motion blur (or camera shake) when there's not a lot of light.

Then, there's the choice of distance settings.. The snapshot mode at 2.4m (8ft) is precisely that; a snapshot mode, but to my taste it's too close for a 35mm lens. When I shoot 'from the hip', I prefer to have the distance set at 100x the focal length. With that rule, you can fit a person in the frame for any given focal length. That would be 3.5m (12ft) for the XA2's 35mm lens, and not 2.4m.. When you're having people full length in the frame, infinity is a better choice than the middle distance setting. I've taped a reminder under the viewfinder so that I don't forget the camera resets to middle distance each time the clamshell is closed.

But these are only minor quibles, because if I keep the above in mind, the XA2 is able to produce incredibly sharp and detailed images.

 

[dave lackey]

Hi Dave,

nothing wrong with your snapshots! The XA2 is the camera to take along for these kind of shots if you don't want to take a camera along (does this make sense? I guess you know what I mean)..


That said, there's a couple of things I found that have big impact on my XA2 images..

First, there's the aperture versus shutter speed thing.. I find the XA2 has a preference for slow shutter speeds, and rather closes the aperture down too early to get more DOF. Probably this is to cover for having only 3 distance settings that don't overlap in DOF at f3.5.. The result is that a lot of images I shoot have motion blur (or camera shake) when there's not a lot of light.

Then, there's the choice of distance settings.. The snapshot mode at 2.4m (8ft) is precisely that; a snapshot mode, but to my taste it's too close for a 35mm lens. When I shoot 'from the hip', I prefer to have the distance set at 100x the focal length. With that rule, you can fit a person in the frame for any given focal length. That would be 3.5m (12ft) for the XA2's 35mm lens, and not 2.4m.. When you're having people full length in the frame, infinity is a better choice than the middle distance setting. I've taped a reminder under the viewfinder so that I don't forget the camera resets to middle distance each time the clamshell is closed.

But these are only minor quibles, because if I keep the above in mind, the XA2 is able to produce incredibly sharp and detailed images.

Assuming that the 12 ft setting is the little goofy mountain symbol...I will try it and see if it works. I have always hated the Japanese symbols like they put on the DSLR's for portraits, flowers, moon, sun, etc. 😡 I can read, dammit, so give me something to read!

What kills me about the images so far:

1. Focus is all over the place.
2. Details? Not a biggie for me, but they aren't there.
3. The image is so tiny/squatty/compressed...I don't know, maybe it's just the 35mm that I can't get into yet.
4. Where is the character in the image? If I want sharp details, I will just shoot a cheap digital. I know it has some character in that lens, but I haven't found it yet.

Anyway, I will continue trying to figure out this little gem of a camera. Any helpful hints from anyone would help shorten my learning curve.🙂

 

[pvdhaar]

Hi Dave,

the mountain symbol is infinity. The two people icon is 2.4m/8ft. There's nothing in between unfortunately 🙁

As far as character is concerned, it is there, but colour neg film isn't the best choice to have it stand out. The lens's light fall off doesn't show, and the only thing you'll probably notice is somewhat subtle reds. Using slide film (cross processing) will better bring out the colour casts and light fall-off at the edges..

Oh, and the XA2 completely smokes cheap digitals when it comes to sharpness; there's no comparison.. If I have it on a tripod, or use the self timer, the images are super crisp. It's handheld that it's struggling.

 

[btgc]

For BW ISO400 film works, but I like it more with slow color film


Untitled by mm35exp36, on Flickr

 

[dave lackey]

Will probably drop off at the local lab, a roll of Arista Premium 400 that was shot a few weeks ago. His developing is always fine but the scans are usually awful.

Or, may just drop it off at Ritz, they did an okay job last week.

Then, we will see if I did any better. I know there is a learning curve but am still working on a huge project due to be finished next month. Keep the tips coming, I would really appreciate it!:angel:

 

[offline]

For BW ISO400 film works, but I like it more with slow color film


Untitled by mm35exp36, on Flickr

Hey! I was in Riga with my XA2 then - spooky.

Most of my shots were probably taken in Jurmala though, as I chose it as my beach camera, just like OP. I was shooting slide film and if anything good and on topic comes back from the lab, maybe I could post them here?

 

[oftheherd]

Never used an XA2 (I have a parts/repair I got off ebay), but the XA gives pretty good photos. I am finally getting used to using its RF more handily.

 

[raid]

I used to have the XA2 and XA4, but I sold them and got the XA instead. The Minox GT is slightly better than the XA. I have control over the focus with either camera.

 

[kuzano]

I like my XA2... but ....

I like my XA2... but ....

It's small and the shutter is so sensitive. I tend to shake the camera touching or pressing the shutter.

If I am not using it on a monopod/tripod, or stabilized by holding it next to a tree, pole or signpost, I cheat with the self timer.

When I have a fairly static subject, or on action where I don't need to worry about a specific act, I set the self timer. I click the shutter and then I can devote my attention to holding the camera steady. This is a trick I also use for p&s digitals. When the camera shutter goes off, I am holding steady. It works very well for me. Marked improvements on focus.

It's also a better camera for close work (presuming you've mastered the scale focus) than for distance. The OP original pics were fine for the first two, but lots of distance there. They were still fine.

 

[TXForester]

It's small and the shutter is so sensitive. I tend to shake the camera touching or pressing the shutter.

That's interesting. I've read that you can handhold shots with fairly low speeds because a gentle touch will trip the shutter.

 

[btgc]

Hey! I was in Riga with my XA2 then - spooky.

Most of my shots were probably taken in Jurmala though, as I chose it as my beach camera, just like OP. I was shooting slide film and if anything good and on topic comes back from the lab, maybe I could post them here?

Sure! At least drop a link to your off-RFF site/gallery. Always interested to see places I know pictured by other people.

 

[kuzano]

I would have thought so,,,,,

I would have thought so,,,,,

That's interesting. I've read that you can handhold shots with fairly low speeds because a gentle touch will trip the shutter.

However, that's not been my experience. The shutter trigger sensitivity is so "twitchy" as to be uncontrollable. And, I would add that it's probably me as well. The trip of the shutter is always such a surprise to me. I cannot master a consistent pressure for tripping the shutter.

The self timer clears up for me what may be my own personal problem.

Funny, but tripping the shutter on my three pound Fuji GL690 doesn't result in a camera shake... What's up with that?

 

[btgc]

Funny, but tripping the shutter on my three pound Fuji GL690 doesn't result in a camera shake... What's up with that?

I'm with you. Beast of fixed lens RF, Lynx 14, releases smoother and steadier than XA2 - if you don't have habit. But it can be mastered - now I put fingertip on border at right side of release button and use very tip of finger to apply pressure. Probably also contacts in electronic release of XA series oxydize thus making contact not so instant, I've seen such threads. Mine definitely doesn't suffer from this syndrome but yes, it's different than pushing down spring loaded rod.

 

[dave lackey]

However, that's not been my experience. The shutter trigger sensitivity is so "twitchy" as to be uncontrollable. And, I would add that it's probably me as well. The trip of the shutter is always such a surprise to me. I cannot master a consistent pressure for tripping the shutter.

The self timer clears up for me what may be my own personal problem.

Funny, but tripping the shutter on my three pound Fuji GL690 doesn't result in a camera shake... What's up with that?

Yes, that makes sense. Will alter my shooting to account for possible shake and will shoot on the "mountain" symbol too. The colors above are certainly quite good. The shutter release may be the only problem to overcome and will report back.

In the meantime, anybody got any XA2 photos to post?