Got back some first films; surprising results

[motrhead]

I used to shoot an XA, and was constantly amazed at how sharp the lens was, but the vignetting started to really bother me. Eventually the electronics died, and I replaced it with a Minox GL. Similar silent shutter release, sharp lens and no vignetting. Of course I had to give up the rangefinder, but I always found myself moving the XA focus lever left,right,left right,left right, trying to pick out the rangefinder spot, and stop on the right point of the very short sweep of the lever. It was really difficult to pick out inside in low light, where I often seemed to end up using it.
I really liked the XA while I had it, and it returned amazing slides, but I didn't love it enough to replace it once I had tried the Minox.
When at long last the Minox GL failed, I replaced it with a GT with the exposure compensation and self timer, and if it ever fails I will replace it with another Minox. It's turned out to be my pefect camera.
My father has been shooting the same XA since 79 or 80. Thousandes of rolls troublefree. I'm harder on cameras. I probably killed mine by carrying it in my jeans pocket.
So am I the only one who sees the vignetting in many of these XA pics ?
Dean

 

[bensyverson]

Oh, the XA definitely vignettes (or has light falloff, if we're being picky).

Personally, I love it, and it's one of the reasons why I shoot with the XA. I have other gear for when I need a totally even exposure.

 

[shadowfox]

I guess we see pictures differently, I LOOOOOOOVE the vignetting from my XA, it always amazes me to see the vignetting in contrast with the sharp center 🙂

 

[shadowfox]

No, no, no...even if one could, the awful one-liners would never stop ("Is that an Argus in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?" is the only one I can think of that's printable here).


- Barrett

you're right, it'll be a sticking point, no doubt about it ... 😀

 

[motrhead]

I don't mind the vignetting so much under the right circumstances. At the time I wanted the perfect pocket camera, and almost had it. I still like to borrow my dad's once in a while, just to remind me how nice it is, and enjoy the astounding sharpness.
I do like some of the "Lomography" type cross-processed overly-artsy shots, but I am more of a true to nature, natural colour photographer myself.
Another camera that surprised me by being noticeably sharp like my XA, is a Rollei XF35. It looks and feels cheap, but that Sonnar 2.3/40 is a sharp lens. Too bad it's not pocketable like the XA or Minox.
I may yet end up with another XA, but I think I will go for the XA4 for the wide angle lens if I do. My Minox does what I need for now .

 

[lament]

I think the vignetting adds a touch of unreality that color (as opposed to b&w) photos otherwise lack. I love the XA vignetting on color pictures.