schow
Well-known
Hey folks,
I just shot some pics with my newly RFF purchased XA.
I got to admit that at first, I thought this camera was dog ugly. Then I kept reading about how great it was, and when one came up for sale I had to go for it. I'm glad I did too! Now, I think the camera itself is pretty attractive!
I just shot some pics with my newly RFF purchased XA.
I got to admit that at first, I thought this camera was dog ugly. Then I kept reading about how great it was, and when one came up for sale I had to go for it. I'm glad I did too! Now, I think the camera itself is pretty attractive!
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erikhaugsby
killer of threads
I don't want to seem rude, but:
where did you find the XA?
how much did you pay for it?
i'm in the market for one, but I can't find any reliable ones for under $100, and I'm never paying that much for one.
where did you find the XA?
how much did you pay for it?
i'm in the market for one, but I can't find any reliable ones for under $100, and I'm never paying that much for one.
schow
Well-known
erikhaugsby,
I actually mentioned that I found the XA at the classifieds section here. No comment on the price, but no harm in your asking.
Good luck on your search!
Sherm
I actually mentioned that I found the XA at the classifieds section here. No comment on the price, but no harm in your asking.
Good luck on your search!
Sherm
erikhaugsby
killer of threads
Argh, I musta missed that classified.
I know there is an XA2 up, but I want a RF (I could never get used to Scale Focusing on my old Rollei 35S)
eBay is chock full of them, but i'm not trusting anybody from there.
Thanks, Sherm.
I know there is an XA2 up, but I want a RF (I could never get used to Scale Focusing on my old Rollei 35S)
eBay is chock full of them, but i'm not trusting anybody from there.
Thanks, Sherm.
srtiwari
Daktari
It is a lovely little camera. Earlier today I posted "Tiny XA ? Great pics" as I was so amazed at the details rendered by that lens...
raid
Dad Photographer
The XA is a good camera. I used one last summer while overseas, and the results were excellent. It is a stealth camera since people think it is a toy.
MP/CLE
Established
My wife (as a girlfriend) gave me hers, but I had the CLE and then the leicas so it has sat... great little camera and terribly small/quiet/stealthy, but I'm packin' big stuff (leica and a stack of lenses). I always think that one day I'll be going small...
sf
Veteran
erikhaugsby said:
I see them on a regular basis on Ebay. For less than $100.
erikhaugsby
killer of threads
shutterflower said:
Granted, they are under $100, but I've had rotten luck with most things off of ebay. As such and for the time being I have decided just to put a blanket decision up and not buy anything off of ebay. Maybe this is my fault and maybe it is drastic, but I just wish that National Camera has as many XAs as they do other specific film cameras.
planetjoe
Just some guy, you know?
erikhaugsby said:
Erik:
You're right, in my opinion, to be generally hesitant about buying this camera from the 'bay. It's a complicated expression of the photographic-machine art, as robust as it might be, and it's getting on in years. And I've noticed that the XA recently experienced a "renaissance" of sorts on the 'bay and elsewhere, from which it is coming down now...given this, you might want to watch price trends. If you have difficulty finding one to purchase, you should try a WTB thread here on RFF.
In the interest of full disclosure, schow bought my former XA, which itself was purchased from the 'bay for a shade over $100 about a year or so ago. These days, it looks like $75 is at least a common price in that market, and in some cases will fetch the more powerul A16 flash (which, in my experience, is a useless upgrade) and a presentation case. This should give you some idea of what prices are doing.
That said, and if it helps, I happened upon some wisdom during my search for the XA:
1. clamshell doors are prone to mis-alignment after damage. Watch that the door closes truly flush and travels straight.
2. the RF patch is possibly dim or flare-y in indoor light, but I've never been able to determine to my satisfaction whether this was "by design", due to age, or just my misguided opinion. Outdoors, they're fine.
3. the focus action is a little fiddly, but in the hands of the adept, this is a true "one-hand" camera. Besides, there's always hyperfocus. This was my preferred chosen path.
4. as for any camera of this vintage, light seals are always a concern. But if it holds light, it's good to go.
The camera is incredibly small, dense, and capable. I found myself marveling often at what Olympus was capable of putting inside its small shell.
schow: excellent (and quick) work with the XA. I especially liked the first image; a true showpiece for the Zuiko optics. If you don't mind me asking, what film did you shoot?
Cheers,
--joe.
Trius
Waiting on Maitani
Erik: I agree with Joe, but have some additional comments.
First of all, when the XA was first released it retailed for about $169-189USD, IIRC. Given inflation and the fact that it's a remarkable piece of engineering, current prices are not unrealistic. Yes, there are lots of fixed lens RFs that have depreciated more, but then the XA is, I believe, a bit of a special case.
Given its age, I would expect any XA to need a CLA unless it has recently been serviced. A professional CLA will cost about $80US, so if you get an XA that isn't in need of that, it's a bonus. But if it hasn't had service in the last 5-10 years, you should expect that expense. For an eBay purchase, I would be comfortable with a price of $50-60 for an XA that cannot be guaranteed as recently serviced. With a fresh CLA, $100 is a very good deal, IMO.
Finally, as for the rangefinder. It is obviously not the equal of a Leica or some of the better larger RFs. In my experience, focusing indoors is directly related to whether the viewfinder has been cleaned up. No, it will never be as good indside as outside, but I don't have too much of a problem.
Earl
First of all, when the XA was first released it retailed for about $169-189USD, IIRC. Given inflation and the fact that it's a remarkable piece of engineering, current prices are not unrealistic. Yes, there are lots of fixed lens RFs that have depreciated more, but then the XA is, I believe, a bit of a special case.
Given its age, I would expect any XA to need a CLA unless it has recently been serviced. A professional CLA will cost about $80US, so if you get an XA that isn't in need of that, it's a bonus. But if it hasn't had service in the last 5-10 years, you should expect that expense. For an eBay purchase, I would be comfortable with a price of $50-60 for an XA that cannot be guaranteed as recently serviced. With a fresh CLA, $100 is a very good deal, IMO.
Finally, as for the rangefinder. It is obviously not the equal of a Leica or some of the better larger RFs. In my experience, focusing indoors is directly related to whether the viewfinder has been cleaned up. No, it will never be as good indside as outside, but I don't have too much of a problem.
Earl
schow
Well-known
Heya Joe,
it was some strange polaroid iso 200 film I got as a bonus from buying a camera on the 'bay. LOL the seller didn't even mention it and thew in like 6-12 exposure rolls of it. I have no idea if it's expired or what, but it seems okay.
I'll try to make you proud in the future!
Sherm
it was some strange polaroid iso 200 film I got as a bonus from buying a camera on the 'bay. LOL the seller didn't even mention it and thew in like 6-12 exposure rolls of it. I have no idea if it's expired or what, but it seems okay.
I'll try to make you proud in the future!
Sherm
Cooki
Filmosaurus Canadiensis
jonasv
has no mustache
I remember seeing a fully working XA in the classifieds for $45 a while back.. The deals are there if you have some patience!
planetjoe
Just some guy, you know?
Trius: that's good advice about the indoors/clean RF correlation. I hadn't heard that one, although it smacks of good RF common sense. And I agree with your assessment that these beauties can be worth every penny - I was also floored by their engineering.
Sherm: looks good already. That Polaroid (!) stuff has a nice contrasty thing going on. If you dig that look, you should really "go native" - load up with some Velvia 100 and go to town.
Thanks again for the images.
--joe.
Sherm: looks good already. That Polaroid (!) stuff has a nice contrasty thing going on. If you dig that look, you should really "go native" - load up with some Velvia 100 and go to town.
Thanks again for the images.
--joe.
mus
Member
MelanieC
Well-known
Hey Mus -- how did you get the first pic to look like that? Focus fiddling or more?
This is probably a very stupid question, but I am a neophyte.
This is probably a very stupid question, but I am a neophyte.
mus
Member
This picture was taken through a glass...........rainy day
The XA is a lovely camera.The 6 element F.Zuiko 35mm f/2.8 lens is extremely sharp, especially past f/5.6 where it reaches 59lpm......f/8-67lpm.......f11-67lpm
http://www.diaxa.com/xa/xa.htm
The XA is a lovely camera.The 6 element F.Zuiko 35mm f/2.8 lens is extremely sharp, especially past f/5.6 where it reaches 59lpm......f/8-67lpm.......f11-67lpm
http://www.diaxa.com/xa/xa.htm