Huragh, Yippeee an XA4 heads my way

[lxmike]

Both the births of my sons were captured by Olympus, an XA and then an XA2, or should I say shortly after birth my sons pictures were first captured by the XA range of cameras. (Robbie is now 18 and Aidan 13). I lost the XA2, (I badly miss it), and the XA I wore out, (but have recently replaced it with another wprking example XA). Now as much as I love the XA and XA2, having the capability of 28mm Zuiko the XA4 has always appealed but until now has always been out of my price range. Until now and as I type an XA4 is in the post, yippeeeeee🙂 its like Christmas and I can hardly wait

 

[kuvvy]

Congrats Mick. Had a few Olys over the years but never did get the XA4. Hope to see some shots from you.

Paul

 

[agi]

You're going to love it. It's one of my favorites and use it often. Here's a few samples that I've taken with it:


The Postal Worker, Hare and an Alligator by alapan (agi), on Flickr

More...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alapan/sets/72157612766051489/

 

[lxmike]

Congrats Mick. Had a few Olys over the years but never did get the XA4. Hope to see some shots from you.

Paul

Hi Paul good to hear from you mate, hope all is well with you and that your still clicking away. Like yourself Im a big fan of the Zuiko glass, always fancied a XA4, still pinching myself that I now have one on the way🙂

 

[lxmike]

You're going to love it. It's one of my favorites and use it often. Here's a few samples that I've taken with it:


The Postal Worker, Hare and an Alligator by alapan (agi), on Flickr

More...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alapan/sets/72157612766051489/

great images, thanks for sharing, do you have any user tips for the XA4

 

[agi]

I generally shoot Tri-X/Arista Premium and push to 1600 (it's the only XA that can w/out adjusting) for the extra speed and easier scale focusing for street shooting. Just cover the DX coding and you can push/pull. But I also suggest shooting some E-6 with it as the meter is fantastic - as you can see from the shot I posted with expired Kodachrome. Hip shots & getting close to subject are easy...maybe too easy as they hardly notice it. Use the strap to measure for macro/close up shots. Loading is a breeze but make sure the film leader catches correctly and the film advances.

I do suggest testing your camera @1600 iso as I've had 2 XA4's with the meter being 1-2 stops under. John Hermanson at Zuiko.com said it might not be repairable but I'm hopeful he can.

 

[kuzano]

I Hope You Know!!!

I Hope You Know!!!

Both the births of my sons were captured by Olympus, an XA and then an XA2, or should I say shortly after birth my sons pictures were first captured by the XA range of cameras. (Robbie is now 18 and Aidan 13). I lost the XA2, (I badly miss it), and the XA I wore out, (but have recently replaced it with another wprking example XA). Now as much as I love the XA and XA2, having the capability of 28mm Zuiko the XA4 has always appealed but until now has always been out of my price range. Until now and as I type an XA4 is in the post, yippeeeeee🙂 its like Christmas and I can hardly wait

That little braided cord with the bead and the red end is worth MORE than the camera itself.

The majority of XA4 camera's that you will see over time are missing the Macro Focus strap/cord for the camera. I forget the exact way it works, but the red end has a slide through function, and you pull the cord through until the little bead forms the stop for the lens. That length is the focus distance for MACRO for the XA4 lens. I sold one of those straps... the XA4 disappeared but I still had the cord, for $50 to someone who had been hunting for the OEM XA4 focus strap.

Wish I had a couple of hundred, but don't know how to reman the red end.

 

[agi]

Hmmm I have an extra XA4 strap lying around somewhere. Maybe I should sell it.

You can download the manual here which will tell you how to use the strap:

http://www.butkus.org/chinon/olympus/olympus_xa4/olympus_xa4.htm

 

[lxmike]

I generally shoot Tri-X/Arista Premium and push to 1600 (it's the only XA that can w/out adjusting) for the extra speed and easier scale focusing for street shooting. Just cover the DX coding and you can push/pull. But I also suggest shooting some E-6 with it as the meter is fantastic - as you can see from the shot I posted with expired Kodachrome. Hip shots & getting close to subject are easy...maybe too easy as they hardly notice it. Use the strap to measure for macro/close up shots. Loading is a breeze but make sure the film leader catches correctly and the film advances.

I do suggest testing your camera @1600 iso as I've had 2 XA4's with the meter being 1-2 stops under. John Hermanson at Zuiko.com said it might not be repairable but I'm hopeful he can.

thanks for the reply and for your hints and tips I will let you know how I get on

 

[Rodchenko]

So has the postman been yet?

 

[lxmike]

That little braided cord with the bead and the red end is worth MORE than the camera itself.

The majority of XA4 camera's that you will see over time are missing the Macro Focus strap/cord for the camera. I forget the exact way it works, but the red end has a slide through function, and you pull the cord through until the little bead forms the stop for the lens. That length is the focus distance for MACRO for the XA4 lens. I sold one of those straps... the XA4 disappeared but I still had the cord, for $50 to someone who had been hunting for the OEM XA4 focus strap.

Wish I had a couple of hundred, but don't know how to reman the red end.

I did not realise that the straps were that sort after, was quite surprised when I started to look into it a few yaers back

 

[lxmike]

Hmmm I have an extra XA4 strap lying around somewhere. Maybe I should sell it.

You can download the manual here which will tell you how to use the strap:

http://www.butkus.org/chinon/olympus/olympus_xa4/olympus_xa4.htm

yes we would all be rich with a bucket load of XA4 straps😀

 

[lxmike]

So has the postman been yet?

unfortunately not, its in the post though😀

 

[lxmike]

Wow less than 24hrs from buying it to recieving it, now thats speedy, a quick upwrap, its all their, fully working just a little dusty. will clean it later😀

 

[Bingley]

Congrats! Looking forward to seeing photos from it. I've been a dedicated XA fan for years, but haven't used the XA4. Interested to know how you find it in use.

 

[Rodchenko]

Woo Hoo! I was trying to be satirical earlier, but it appears your postman has wings at his feet.

I'm still waiting for summat I bought off ebay ages ago.... 🙁

 

[lxmike]

Congrats! Looking forward to seeing photos from it. I've been a dedicated XA fan for years, but haven't used the XA4. Interested to know how you find it in use.

Just a quick hands on, it initially feels like an XA but the shutter sounds slightly louder, the viewfinder is very interesting obviously has a wider view than the XA

 

[kuzano]

HEY!! I've got it!!!

HEY!! I've got it!!!

yes we would all be rich with a bucket load of XA4 straps😀

A kickstarter project to re-man XA4 straps that do the two focal length macro focus settings....

Might have to make a slight change and send in a new patent application. Some sort of "Rich Corinthian Leather"???

 

[btgc]

lxmike, seems it's also time for a third boy 😉

 

[lxmike]

lxmike, seems it's also time for a third boy 😉

😱😱😱😱😱 too old