How many OM owners also use an XA?

[Keith]

I don't doubt the credentials of the XA because the images I've seen posted from it here are impressive ... I even really like the natural vignette the Zuiko lens seems to display!

I bought a Ricoh GR1v a while ago and haven't really gelled with it ... I find the 28mm focal length a little wide for me and I don't really like not having total control over focus so I'm thinking for the rare occasions when this type of pocket camera is appropriate for me an XA might be a better solution!

So how many of you OM fans who love your Maitani designed SLR's as much as I do ... also have one of these little gems in your kit?

 

[FrankS]

Never had any luck with XA's. Break, broke, broken.

 

[Keith]

I meant to add the reason I ask is because I just spotted the XA in the classifieds this morning which has gone of course ... but it started me thinking!

 

[gavinlg]

I've had 2 xa's and an xa2. The first XA's shutter stopped working properly and the second XA jammed on the second roll.

However, I suspect that the second XA has actually barely (if ever) been used from new. When I bought it it came in the original case, in the original box, with the original japanese Yen price tag in it. There isn't a mark on it, it smells new, and even the rangefinder patch is clear and sharp and contrasty - which isn't usually the case with XA's.

I've been meaning to send it to John @ zuiko.com for a full service - it's just so nice. I love the way they feel, how freaking tiny they are, and I LOVE the results from the lens. They're sharp enough wide open whilst having this lovely gentle look, and sharpen up with every stop down. They're also dead quite and have very accurate metering.

What I really want though, is a ricoh gr1/s/v. I get on really well with a 28mm lens in a point and shoot. If you want to sell that GR1v anytime keith please let me know!

 

[Keith]

So John does work on the XAs ... that's good to know!

I don't know what it is about the Ricoh ... it took me a fair while to find a V because I wanted control over the ISO setting which you don't get with the S. I also don't quite know what it is about the 28mm focal length that doesn't fit with me and it applies to all my 35mm gear ... in fact I dont own an RF lens of this length and have never used my 28mm Zuiko for the OM's!

The few rolls I've put through the Ricoh have been impressive from a technical point of view but less so for content! 😛

 

[benlees]

Love the XA! It is my only 35mm rangefinder. The slight crappiness of it does not affect the photos!

If Ricoh would have made a 35mm GR, I would have bought one a long time a go. I like 28 but prefer 35-40...

 

[Krzys]

I think that you would really like an XA Keith. Just find one with a decent patch.

 

[KoNickon]

I love the XA. I'm constantly amazed at the quality of the pictures I get from it. The shutter release is a little weird -- I am never sure, when my eye is on the finder, whether my finger is on the release or not. But that's a pretty minor complaint in the grand scheme of things. And I'm always impressed by how clear and accurate the rangefinder patch is, even considering the very small view and how short the focus throw is.

 

[shadowfox]

But of course, XA4 always go with me when I travel.

I just got a GR1s, Keith, so far I'm liking the shooting experience. That thing is so slim, I still can't get over my amazement on how can it hold a roll of film inside.

 

[panchro-press]

I have two XA's and two OM-1's. The XA goes with me most of the time. I just keep my fingers crossed that it doesn't fall to a fatal chip disease.

Dave

 

[Chris101]

I have always wanted an XA - from back in the 80s. But I have never had one, or even shot with one. I did hold one once. It was nice and small, but not too small.

 

[amateriat]

I've had a few XAs, as well as almost every single-digit OM that was made (OM-1/2/2n/2S/3/4/4T). Still have a 2n, and use it from time to time.

The XA, in my mind, was a magnificent camera, but a tad more fragile than I'd have liked...rather similar to the Minox GL/GT, with a shutter that would fail if you looked at it cockeyed.. When it worked, of course, you wouldn't want anything else. Mr. Maitani, Dog bless his soul, was the Man.

These days, whenever I leave the Hexars at home, I grab the Contax Tvs, a real gem, while my long-sidelined Ricoh GR-1 awaits a trip to CRIS Cam for repair. It's the good little 35s that make me laugh at the idea of paying half a grand for a "decent" digital compact. (Okay, I'm looking at Panasonic's LX-5 with more than idle curiosity, but you grok my meaning, right?)


- Barrett

 

[murpograph]

I like the handiness of my XA, the "unforgettable" lid and the results (yes you see it vignetting wide-open). The most amazing ability however are automatically exposed long-time night-shots with a tripod.

regards

 

[Brian Legge]

I'm in denial, but I just don't think the XA agrees with me. I don't mind the vignetting - and maybe it is the sharpness of the other cameras I'm shooting - but the XA lens simply always feels soft to me.

I shot a pair of rolls using the same film and developing them together. One was with the XA, the other was with a Leica IIIc and unshimmed FSU lenses. The FSU lenses simply blow the XA away at all apertures. They also feel better exposed. My last grap at the XA working - maybe the camera is underexposing shots. I'll try at least one more roll with it.

 

[cidereye]

I use an XA2 now and again with OM-2 but these day's I find it more convenient to have a pocket digital instead in my trusty Ricoh GX200 which is even smaller and far nicer to hold/use than the boxy XA.

 

[shyoon]

I had an XA - ended up selling it due to the poor rangefinder patch. My example was almost unusable. Got decent results from it though.

Had a GR1s as well. Fantastic camera, but it's loud and I can't get used to the 28mm focal length. Traded it with Bob (sepiareverb) for a Contax T2. Hopefully that will fulfill my point and shoot needs.

 

[reiki_]

Not XA but I have stylus epic , I believe those lenses are quite similar. Would love to have an XA too one day of course.

 

[jesse1dog]

Do you really need the rangefinder aspect of the XA? What would you use the camera for anyway? I've always liked the XA2 and had some great photos from it - my big daughter got better ones than I did. I did pick up a 'minty' XA3 for very little a few months ago. It was a case of - 'I can't believe this camera is going for this price - something less than £5 - it must be worth having'. So far I haven't used it which must say something! Instead I tend to grab my trusty old digital and have that as a 'carry at all times' camera.

jesse!

 

[sreed2006]

I don't doubt the credentials of the XA because the images I've seen posted from it here are impressive ... I even really like the natural vignette the Zuiko lens seems to display!

I bought a Ricoh GR1v a while ago and haven't really gelled with it ... I find the 28mm focal length a little wide for me and I don't really like not having total control over focus so I'm thinking for the rare occasions when this type of pocket camera is appropriate for me an XA might be a better solution!

So how many of you OM fans who love your Maitani designed SLR's as much as I do ... also have one of these little gems in your kit?

I have an XA, and have not gelled with it. The patch is dim, and the shutter button works sometimes and not others which is very frustrating (sort of a "fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me" kind of thing). Getting it fixed would cost more than the camera did.

Finding an XA in really good condition is getting harder. A personal inspection before purchase, or the right to return it after inspection, should be considered a must.

 

[oftheherd]

Keith, I like my XA for its compactness, even with flash. I find it delivers good photos. As you know I don't have an OM, but one of the line that preceeded the OM 🙂D).

You will only know if you like it after trying it. I think you will. I have not had any issues with mine to this point. Well, actually, the first flash I got quit working, so I just got another. I don't use flash with it that often anyway, but like to have it.

It is very convenient to have such a small but good camera for times when compactness and a built in light meter is important. If you don't have that requirement, you may not see so much worthiness out of it. My Welti and Weltini are both compact, but heavier and no built in meter.