kevco
Member
I picked up an Olympus XA a few weeks ago from keh.com to carry around and so far I've been pretty happy with it. I just came across a Leica Mini II for sale for only $25 and am tempted to give it a shot. It's only $25 after all and probably the only Leica I'll ever afford.
I've been looking through the forums here and googling around in general for information about it. Everyone says it's a rebadged minolta (or possibly panasonic?) but I haven't seen many actual opinions of it. It doesn't sound like it has much going for it from what I have found.
How does the size compare to the Oly? Is it more pocketable? Does it offer anything beyond the red dot?
I've been looking through the forums here and googling around in general for information about it. Everyone says it's a rebadged minolta (or possibly panasonic?) but I haven't seen many actual opinions of it. It doesn't sound like it has much going for it from what I have found.
How does the size compare to the Oly? Is it more pocketable? Does it offer anything beyond the red dot?
ath
Well-known
I have an XA and the first Mini which doesn't differ too much according to what I found on the Inet.
The XA and the Leica Mini are totally different cameras.
XA is smaller, heavier and more "direct".
Mini is plastic fantastic, fully automated (no influence on exposure or DOF) but has a flash build in.
The user interface of the Mini is, well, not the best one. Turn on is slow, shutter lag is there, all what you expect from such a camera.
The lens in the Mini is very good but mine tends to flare with bright scenes: the internal cutoff mask between film and lens throws a shadow on the film.
The lens has no cover, only a protective filter.
I got mine cheap and would not buy another one. The Oly µ and µ2 are by far nicer and smaller than the Mini.
I had to decide between the Mini and the XA for an upcoming vacation and the XA won clearly.
HTH
The XA and the Leica Mini are totally different cameras.
XA is smaller, heavier and more "direct".
Mini is plastic fantastic, fully automated (no influence on exposure or DOF) but has a flash build in.
The user interface of the Mini is, well, not the best one. Turn on is slow, shutter lag is there, all what you expect from such a camera.
The lens in the Mini is very good but mine tends to flare with bright scenes: the internal cutoff mask between film and lens throws a shadow on the film.
The lens has no cover, only a protective filter.
I got mine cheap and would not buy another one. The Oly µ and µ2 are by far nicer and smaller than the Mini.
I had to decide between the Mini and the XA for an upcoming vacation and the XA won clearly.
HTH
V
varjag
Guest
I have a Mini, frankly don't see any of the above problems. Mine didn't flare yet, but granted it seen barely 5 rolls so far. If you pre-focus by half-depress of the button there is no shutter lag to speak of. But even the focusing action itself is fairly quick, it is much faster camera than my Canon Powershot.
A nice touch is that film advance motor does not activate while you hold the shutter depressed, makes it quiet when necessary.
It is not minox-sized, but not any larger than Oly mju. And calling XA more solid, well, I just don't know. All I've seen were pretty flimsy.
A nice touch is that film advance motor does not activate while you hold the shutter depressed, makes it quiet when necessary.
It is not minox-sized, but not any larger than Oly mju. And calling XA more solid, well, I just don't know. All I've seen were pretty flimsy.
Spavinaw
Well-known
As varjag said, on the Mini the film does not advance until you release the shutter button; however, on the Mini 2 and Mini 3 the film advances as soon as the exposure has been made, even before you take your finger off the shutter button.
BillBingham2
Registered User
Go for it. $25 for a Leica, why not!
B2 (;->
B2 (;->
btgc
Veteran
Little bird says Leica Mini is same camera sold also as Minolta and Panasonic. You can reduce costs choosing them...sure, no red point then 
V
varjag
Guest
It is in fact Kyocera, not Minolta. I paid for mine €11 + delivery, frankly I don't see much room for cost reduction there.
David Hughes
David Hughes
I've a Leica mini and it's a very pleasant camera to use (mostly because of CW'd meter and infinity setting). The lens is good and the exposure usually spot on. Built in flash is very useful.
So no problems and, like the others, I see it as a cheap but good Leica.
Regards, David
So no problems and, like the others, I see it as a cheap but good Leica.
Regards, David
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Naumoski
Well-known
The Minolta is better looking than the Leica up.
ath
Well-known
From Top to Bottom:
Leica Mini
Olympus XA
Olympus µ2
Unfortunately it is not true that the Mini prefocuses with the shutter half pressed, like most cameras of this type it only stores the distance. The lens is moved when the shutter button is pressed fully.
Shutter lag is longer than with the µ2. Since the XA does not AF there is no lag.
Leica Mini
Olympus XA
Olympus µ2
Unfortunately it is not true that the Mini prefocuses with the shutter half pressed, like most cameras of this type it only stores the distance. The lens is moved when the shutter button is pressed fully.
Shutter lag is longer than with the µ2. Since the XA does not AF there is no lag.
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Well, the XA is the most usable out of the 3... it is the most manual.
kevco
Member
Thanks ath, that picture is informative. I was somehow thinking the Mini would be smaller than the XA.
I'm still tempted to get it just because it's cheap but I'm not sure that I'd end up using it for much.
I'm still tempted to get it just because it's cheap but I'm not sure that I'd end up using it for much.
V
varjag
Guest
http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/Mini
"Manufacturer - Manufactured in Japan by Kyocera for Leica Camera"
"Manufacturer - Manufactured in Japan by Kyocera for Leica Camera"
muf
Well-known
muf
Well-known
morback
Martin N. Hinze
Wow, blast from the past...My first camera...At that age (10ish?) I thought I didn't deserve a SLR (like my mom's EOS) so I picked that...I remember knowing the name Leica at that time already...Had no idea about rangefinders or such things, but for some reason in that utterly unformed mind of mine, Leica was already synonym with "good camera" to me...Sort of weird, come to think of it...
I threw a tantrum when it wouldn't focus of that gorgeous slug & dead foliage composition one rainy day...(too close to focus)
I wouldn't get it if I had an XA already...
I threw a tantrum when it wouldn't focus of that gorgeous slug & dead foliage composition one rainy day...(too close to focus)
I wouldn't get it if I had an XA already...
kevco
Member
That Chinon does look interesting. I wasn't necessarily looking to replace the XA, I've been pretty happy with it so far. I was just intrigued by the idea of a $25 Leica. I ended up buying it on the way home from work yesterday.
I will give it a try and see what I think. The focus patch on my XA is very hard to use in low light (and my wife doesn't seem to like it even in bright light) so maybe it'll find a place in my coat pocket when I'm out at night. The built-in flash could be nice for this too since I find the A11 flash for the XA to be a hassle to carry around.
I will give it a try and see what I think. The focus patch on my XA is very hard to use in low light (and my wife doesn't seem to like it even in bright light) so maybe it'll find a place in my coat pocket when I'm out at night. The built-in flash could be nice for this too since I find the A11 flash for the XA to be a hassle to carry around.
camera.bear
Well-known
kevco,
Congrats on getting the Lecia Mini II. I have the Minolta Escort and have been very pleased with it. I like the Escort better than my Nikon AF600, which is a nice camera in and of itself but tends to have some vignetting in the corners. The Escort / Mini II has a great lens that delivers superb color and contrast, but do watch for some flare, a hazard with these wide angle point and shot cameras. However, I try and work the flare into the composition whenever I can.
Congrats on getting the Lecia Mini II. I have the Minolta Escort and have been very pleased with it. I like the Escort better than my Nikon AF600, which is a nice camera in and of itself but tends to have some vignetting in the corners. The Escort / Mini II has a great lens that delivers superb color and contrast, but do watch for some flare, a hazard with these wide angle point and shot cameras. However, I try and work the flare into the composition whenever I can.
muf
Well-known
I'm sure you'll be pleased with the Leica mini. I have a mini zoom but have yet to put a film through it. I have read that the mini and mini zoom produce really nice shots, sharp with rich contrast. The Leica snobs don't like them though as they are not made of heavy metal and don't carry a high price. I'm looking forward to trying mine and i'm not fussed that it carries a low price. I just want it to be easy to use and gives good results.
Paul
Paul