Cleaning an XA Rangefinder Myself

[n5jrn]

I have an Olympus XA which has not seen much use recently mainly because the rangefinder is so dirty that it is very difficult to see the patch on it. Given that I only spent about $40 on the camera (years ago, and have gotten at least that much use out of it), it does not seem worth it to throw the kind of money involved in a professional CLA on it.

I've never done camera repair myself but I've taken other sorts of things apart and repaired them (electronics, pin tumbler locks), so it's not as if I have no experience with tiny, fiddly things, either.

Has anyone tried to clean the rangefinder on an XA? How difficult is it? Any pitfalls to watch out for?

 

[Meakin]

Never taken one apart - but HERE is a repair manual online, that may help give you an idea.

Cheers,

/Meakin

 

[pvdhaar]

It's not entirely the same, but I've taken apart an XA-2 to fix a couple of things. Most important observation: take this one apart above a tray. There are some parts that are spring loaded. These can easily pop away to roll off the table and hide themselves under a sofa. The small inconspicuous roller from between the calmshell and the body is an especially nasty part in this respect.. and you really need it, or else the XA is reduced to a presse-papier.

 

[David Hughes]

And put a sheet of that absorbent paper they use to mop up in kitchens on the tray; that way the bits that _fall_ out will not go far.

FWIW, I think they are worth getting repaired properly, age means a lot of other things could be wrong, or going that way. Also the mirror may need resilvering and so on. They are nice cameras to own and use. One in perfect condition is worth paying for and you already have the basis for one.

Regards, David

 

[k__43]

i did the black sharpie and scotch tape trick - works for me.

 

[bideford]

Resurrecting an old thread here....

Just found this on a search for cleaning the rangefinder on an old Olympus XA and it works a treat!

James