Like new Olympus XA3

[Harlee]

I just picked up an Olympus XA3 for around $14 which wasn't working. When I opened up the pkg. I was surprised to see it's in excellent condition, perhaps a 9.5 I'd say. No scratches on it, including the back cover, which is very unusual.

The batteries were still in it and the low shutter speed working light came on in the viewfinder when pointed to a dark area signifying that the electrical system is in tact.

The film advance was stuck and the shutter release was also locked up. It was a three minute fix. It now works like a charm. I loaded it up with some Fuji film and will see what it can do.

I've purchased several of the XA series which I've been shooting since the 1970's for a low price because they're often sold as a parts camera but actually work very well if you know how to fix it. It's a very simple procedure and as I wrote it takes about 3 minutes to fix.

I post some pics as soon as they're shot up.

 

[zuikologist]

Nice one! If I remember correctly the XA3 was an updated XA2, so same very good 35/3.5 lens?

Out of interest, what was the three minute fix? It might help others in a similar situation.

 

[Harlee]

I really like the XA3 better than the XA2, because although it has the same lens structure as the XA2, it also utilizes the same 1.5V button batteries; they also both have a self timer and a battery check lever on the bottom, but the XA3 also has a 1.5 back light switch which the XA2 doesn't have, plus the XA3 film speed setting goes up to ISO 1600 while the XA2 tops out at ASA 800. The XA3 also has auto DX film speed setting, which I don't use. I like to set the film speed manually so that I know what's in the camera.

I can't guarantee the 3 minute fix will work on all XA series cameras. If I share what I do to unlock the camera, I'm afraid the prices will jump dramatically on XA2/XA3 parts cameras. I will say however, that you'll have to remove the bottom plate and examine the electronics very carefully and experiment with it. You'll be surprised how simple the repair is.

Good Luck!

 

[spystyle]

Replace a capacitor I bet LOL.

 

[charjohncarter]

I really like the Olympus family, but I only own a Olympus Stylus Infinity, and an Olympus 35RC. Still, if they did as good a job on the cheap cameras their serious ones had to be great. Both my 35RC (which I use the most) and the Infinity have way more than excellent lenses. These are small primes, so I can't speak to the zooms, but I have had truly Leica quality out of each.

I used to own a Olympus Trip 35 which I gave to 'GreyScale' here on RFF and even that 'nothing camera' had a lens that was more than very, very good.

 

[Harlee]

No, it's not a capacitor spystyle - much simpler! No soldering involved, no removing anything. I probably have 10+ various Olympus cameras. I can often find them at Goodwill in the box, like new for around $5.00.

A few years ago I picked up a like new XA for around $3.50. Wasn't sure if it worked but for the price how could I go wrong? Got it home, put two batteries in it and it worked, and still works like a charm. I rarely use it because I have another XA which I take with me when I'm back in Russia and Ukraine. Nowadays I find myself using my XA2s and XA3s much more than the XA.

I'll post some pics from my latest mint XA3 [the one that was all locked up] as soon as I finish up the roll which I put in my Rollei B35 for tests.

 

[charjohncarter]

OK, the Olympus company made such great P&S cameras, that I'm sure their more serious cameras were also great. My Stylus Infinity is an Auto camera and my 35RC is Auto plus manual. Both have Leica quality lenses, they will be up to my Barnack camera lenses, but so much easier to use. The quality of both (camera build) is not very high but if you are careful they will last, as mine have. In fact, even though the only other Olympus camera I have ever had is a Trip 35, which I gave to a RFF member: even that cheapo was optically great.

All 35RC

now Stylus:

You will love your new (old) camera!

 

[Harlee]

The Stylus is a nice little camera which gives very good results under most circumstances. My only wish would be that Olympus could have put in a little longer shutter speed than they did. The 35-70 MM Olympus will hold the shutter open for 3-4 seconds [perhaps longer] plus changing the viewfinder to spot metering.

 

[charjohncarter]

The Stylus is a nice little camera which gives very good results under most circumstances. My only wish would be that Olympus could have put in a little longer shutter speed than they did. The 35-70 MM Olympus will hold the shutter open for 3-4 seconds [perhaps longer] plus changing the viewfinder to spot metering.

My conclusion is no camera is perfect. I don't like the Stylus not turning off the flash setting, auto only, and DX only. The 35RC is better but I don't like the shutter priority and the function ring setting (which I always seem to focus first and then have move the setting, subsequently re-focus). But everything considered, they are my favorites. Most people have different priorities, so I've settled on these two as my jeans pocket cameras.

I'm sure the XA series are excellent cameras, and if I had one I would use it.

 

[David Hughes]

My conclusion is no camera is perfect. I don't like the Stylus not turning off the flash setting, auto only, and DX only. The 35RC is better but I don't like the shutter priority and the function ring setting (which I always seem to focus first and then have move the setting, subsequently re-focus). But everything considered, they are my favorites. Most people have different priorities, so I've settled on these two as my jeans pocket cameras.

I'm sure the XA series are excellent cameras, and if I had one I would use it.

Hi,

Exactly, any camera scoring 8 or 9 out of 10 is a good one and I've yet to come across one that was perfect in every way. And not all of them cost an arm and a leg...

The main thing is to enjoy them.

Regards, David

 

[Harlee]

About a year ago I never owned an XA1, but now I have around 3 of them; my fourth one is waiting for a junk XA1 that I can take a gear out of and replace the one in my not working one. I couldn't see any use for them but now I've changed my mind. Again, I picked up 2-3 of them for a song that didn't work; the fix is a bit more complicated but not difficult. I've taken one with me when I travel and I've been amazed at the sharpness and color of the pics.

I don't believe you could tell the difference between a pic taken on an XA1 and an XA2/3 if they were held side by side. You're a little limited with the XA1 I know because it will only accept 2 film speeds, ISO 100 and ISO 400; and it's a fixed focus lens set at F4.

But it's very convenient to carry while riding on a bus or train because there's nothing to fiddle with; you put the camera up to your eye, frame what you want and fire away. You'll be amazed what the quality of the pic will look like. I realize there are some, or perhaps many folks out there that will look at a finished picture and be hyper critical about them, but that's OK. I never professed to be an Ansel Adams, but this little camera could be had for $3-4 on line at one time, especially if they're not functioning correctly. Again, it's quite an easy fix but a bit more complicated then the XA2/3.

No need for batteries either. Thus far I've not gotten one where the meter wasn't working. I attribute that to the construction of the XA series cameras. the sliding front cover protects the meters, especially on the XA1 series. Unfortunately, the prices have been inflated now. I see one advertised as a BIN for $79 with free shipping; I offered the guy $15.00 - he refused!!! Don't know why; he'll have that XA1 for a long time unless he drops the price to under $20.00.

Three cheers for the Olympus XA series cameras.

 

[Harlee]

Here are a couple of shots taken on my 3 minute fixed XA3. I'm pleased with them.