Bessa R2M vs Oly XA4

[erickim228]

Hi All,

I'm travelling to Spain next week and I'm planning to bring both my digital and film camera. My plan is to make a zine with film photos and I am contemplating whether to bring my Bessa R2M or the Olympus XA4. How is the image quality of Bessa R2M with Canon 50mm f1.8 ltm lens compared to the XA4? I know that XA4 produces beautiful images but would it be good enough to make a zine or a photo book?
XA4 is definitely more portable and faster to shoot but i'm not too sure about the image quality.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

The XA4 is really a totally different camera. It has a fixed 28mm lens and there's no rangefinder. You have to guess the distance. I had a friend when I was younger who owned an XA4 and she let me use it sometimes. I was not good at guessing the distances for focus.

Even if the lack of rangefinder for accurate focus wasn't an issue for you, the 28mm lens on the XA4 is a lot different than a 50mm lens.

I'd take both cameras, and would use the r2m for most things, and the XA4 for when you need a wideangle lens. The XA4 is tiny, about the size of a cigarette pack, so its not going to burden you to add it to your pack.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Welcome aboard.

I'd take both, dropping your one and only camera can be a disaster when you are far from home.

Secondly the XA4 (in addition to being great for quick and accurate close ups) is small enough to carry to places where a bigger camera would put people on guard.

Regards, David

 

[michaelwj]

Just a quick point. You are traveling in a few days to take photos that you will make into a zine. Cool.
But why are you considering taking a camera which by what you've said you have no idea how to use? You probably should shoot a roll of film to at least see if it works and if you know how to use it. Do you know how to operate the Bessa?
Is there a reason you can't make a zine out of the digital images?
Have a good trip.

 

[erickim228]

I am quite confident using the Bessa as I have burnt 10+ rolls with it. I recently purchased XA4 and I thought it would be great for some candid shots.

 

[ruby.monkey]

Take both. You can always leave behind that spare pair of socks if you're worried about luggage space.

 

[michaelwj]

I am quite confident using the Bessa as I have burnt 10+ rolls with it. I recently purchased XA4 and I thought it would be great for some candid shots.

Then I'd recommend a practice roll with the XA4 to see how it goes first.
Have a good trip!

 

[Archiver]

Is your concern that since you aren't fully familiar with the XA4, you might not be happy with the results when you get the film developed after your return? If you can't burn a roll and see the results before you go, take the XA4 anyway and double up on your images, just to be sure. The XA4 will barely take up any room in your luggage, just bring a few more rolls of film.

The XA4 definitely has a great lens and will give good results, and the combination of a 28mm and 50mm is classic and versatile.