Ode to the Olympus XA

OK, enough already! You have all convinced me to give a XA a new home. :)

I have just ordered a minty example. I love my Olympus RC but it is not really as 'pocketable' as I would like, so I hope the clamshell design of the XA will mean I can truly carry a decent full-frame camera around with me at all times.

I will post some images on this thread soon.
 
Unfortunately, I am trying to raise some money to help with moving expenses, so I have found it necessary to list the XA that I used to take the photos that I posted earlier in this thread in the RFF classifieds.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/pho...-a11-flash-2c-film-tested-2c-excellent/cat/12

Hopefully, my misfortune can be someone else's gain.

At least I have a slightly beat-up example for backup until I am able to replace this one.
 
Bit of trivia--The XA lens is what I call a telephoto design wide angle. Just like a true telephoto lens, the lens is shorter than it's focal length. If you measure from the focal plane you'll find that the 35mm focal point is in front of the front element of the lens! How 'bout that!
 
Spavinaw said:
Bit of trivia--The XA lens is what I call a telephoto design wide angle. Just like a true telephoto lens, the lens is shorter than it's focal length. If you measure from the focal plane you'll find that the 35mm focal point is in front of the front element of the lens! How 'bout that!
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Yeah! The Reverse Retrofocus! first time it was used for a 35mm lens! :D
 
The XA is my only 35mm camera. I started back with film two years ago, transitioned through several 35mm cameras and finally settled on medium format. But I still had about 30 rolls of 35mm left, and there's no way I'd get my money out of it if I just sold it. So I got an XA, and have been happily burning through what's left.

The XA was also the camera on which I shot my first and only roll ever of Kodachrome.
 
I bought one when they first came out, and for three years it was always in my jacket pocket, usually loaded with Ektachrome 200 (which I got almost free at work). Exposures were nearly always spot on.

And the ergonomics are just perfect for me. I especially like the easy-to-use backlight compensation. The only real downside is the inability to use filters--which would sometimes be nice when shooting B & W.

It was stolen from my baggage at Gatwick in 1982, so I immediately got another. That one is now near worn out, and the aperture lever skips and sticks.

Bought one for my father in 1980, and a few years later, my mother dropped it in the ocean off Grand Cayman.

Three years ago, I bought a nice one over on Nelsonfoto for $30. I'm keeping my eyes open for another . . .
 
I, too, bought one when they were first introduced. Frankly, I thought it was sort of a toy until I developed the first roll of TriX. Definitely not a toy. I still have one, but it's not the first one. I have had several. I usually sell them and I suspect it's because I didn't spend enough time learning the camera. I won't make that mistake again. Now I've got plenty of time and an XA that works perfectly.

having said that, can anyone tell me about the little trick to make the patch brighter? I think it's about putting a tiny bit of black tape in just the right spot, but I have no clue about what might be the right spot.
 
tedwhite said:
I, too, bought one when they were first introduced. Frankly, I thought it was sort of a toy until I developed the first roll of TriX. Definitely not a toy. I still have one, but it's not the first one. I have had several. I usually sell them and I suspect it's because I didn't spend enough time learning the camera. I won't make that mistake again. Now I've got plenty of time and an XA that works perfectly.

having said that, can anyone tell me about the little trick to make the patch brighter? I think it's about putting a tiny bit of black tape in just the right spot, but I have no clue about what might be the right spot.
Click to expand...

oh, i did that, i put 2mmx3mm black electrical tape just right at the center of it.. it works brilliantly.. it doesn't show up considerably when you are looking through the VF, but definitely gives some contrast to the dim RF patch.. too big and it may show up.. mine doesn't show up and in fact, it doesn't even become a split image.. it simply becomes brighter.. :D
 
tedwhite said:
having said that, can anyone tell me about the little trick to make the patch brighter? I think it's about putting a tiny bit of black tape in just the right spot, but I have no clue about what might be the right spot.
Click to expand...

I used a black marker pen and approximated the middle of the finder, rubbing it off again until I got it near enough right. Works really well.
 
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