Olympus XA or 35RC: Which should I get?

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dimitriroleda

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I'm deciding what to get between the two, but I can't choose 'coz they're both so good haha..

What do you guys think?

I'm buying either of these cameras for the purposes of street photography..So I want it small, quiet & unassuming in appearance..Which do you think would serve my needs best?

Thanks and I hope to hear from you guys soon!
 
They're both great - I have one of each. My XA gets by far the most use because it's so small it will slip into any pocket or bag with ease (either the XA or my XA4 goes everywhere with me), and its lens is superb. (But then, the RC is also pretty small and has a great lens too).

If I had neither and was looking for one, I think I'd probably go for whichever came up first at a good price.
 
Having both cameras I always prefer the RC for far better build quality, better finder and independence from batteries. Since XA and RC are very cheap these days, I'd buy both for testing.
 
I agree - a good copy of each is probably a good idea.

The RC has the better viewfinder and rangefinder and is independent of batteries if used in manual mode. You also have shutter and aperture readout in the viewfinder.

The XA is tiny, self-contained (no case or lens cap required) and, for me, is easier to use if changing aperture.

Both have good lenses - the XA is 35mm focal length, which might be better for street photography.
 
the XA i used to use long time ago suffered heavily from dust - to the point of no longer working.
so, i'd recommend to go with the RC instead, though i have no first hand experience with that one.

by the way: i found the trip 35 to be quite cheap and reliable, but a bit limited - still a charming little camera.

s.
 
I'd love to buy both and I would if I could, but the thing is I live in the Philippines and the shipping costs are overkill so I can only buy one..Besides I only have enough for one hahaha..

Hmmm deadlocked..What's more long-term between the two? (i.e. easier to maintain, reliability)

Oh, and I found out about the Vivitar 35ES, is that better than these two?

Sorry for the multiple questions..I'm really interested in getting my first rangefinder and I want to make sure I get the right one..And I have a limited budget and can't afford to make a wrong purchase hahaha..
 
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dimitriroleda said:
I'd love to buy both and I would if I could, but the thing is I live in the Philippines and the shipping costs are overkill so I can only buy one..Besides I only have enough for one hahaha..

Hmmm deadlocked..What's more long-term between the two? (i.e. easier to maintain, reliability)

Oh, and I found out about the Vivitar 35ES, is that better than these two?

Sorry for the multiple questions..I'm really interested in getting my first rangefinder and I want to make sure I get the right one..And I have a limited budget and can't afford to make a wrong purchase hahaha..
Click to expand...

If you are interested, I could send both cameras in near mint condition for a reasonable price, so shipping cost will be only half.
I have 2 XAs which I rarely use and lots of RCs which I love!
 
Oh, and I found out about the Vivitar 35ES, is that better than these two?
Click to expand...
I have one of those too, and in my opinion it's very nice but not as nice as the XA or the RC. I think the Olympus lenses are better. And it uses an obsolete mercury battery - I use an air cell which works fine but only lasts a couple of months (they run down even when not in use).

And that's a thought - I can't remember what battery the RC takes (it's a while since I last used mine). The XA takes an SR44 or LR44, which are easy to get.
 
They're both still deadlocked in my head! Argh..

I'm leaning towards the XA for its being all black, its compactness, as well as the fact that its batteries are easier to get (which lasts for about 1yr from what I've heard)..But still not sure..

What's easier to maintain/repair between the two?

P.S. Someone's offering me an Olympus 35RC for $45 (shipping included), but it's self-timer lever is missing..Is that a good price already?
 
The RC is far better built, easy to repair (look for Rick Oleson's and
M. Feuerbacher's sites. I have purchased about 20 RCs. Only one was not reparable for me. The shutter is very simple, never saw a RC with dead shutter. There is also an adaptor which allows to take normal silver batteries. It's called MR-9 from C.R.I.S. and costs $33.
$45 is a very good price if you can live without the self timer. Pick it up!
 
oscroft said:
And that's a thought - I can't remember what battery the RC takes (it's a while since I last used mine). The XA takes an SR44 or LR44, which are easy to get.
Click to expand...

35RC takes same kind of batteries as Viv does - hard-to-find mercury, just 625 instaed of 675 which Vivatar needs.

Battery itself isn't problem for both as solver-oxyde or zync-air substitutes will work, but RC has manual mode, not sure Vivitar will fire without battery, probable only wide open. Is this decision-making issue? It varies.

I'd go for 35RC because there's no such hype around it (it's recognized, though) and prices are realistic. Mechanically it also more rugged. RC takes filters (said hard-to-find, but step-down filters should be there). RC has Bulb mode, finally 🙂
XA is better to carry in small pocket, RC will fir normal pockets.
 
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Listen, this is not a big issue. And you're going about it in the wrong way IMHO.

You have to try both to know which one you prefer.
Only getting one of them will make you go crazy wondering what you missed on the other one.

Both of these cameras are not hard to find, not that expensive, and easy to sell in good condition, so just find ones that are in fully working condition.

After you used both for a while, make up your mind, and let go of the one you like the least.

Good chances that you will keep both 😉

And don't forget that XA ownership eventually leads to ... XA-4

2226983454_7a051bb773.jpg


😀



dimitriroleda said:
They're both still deadlocked in my head! Argh..

I'm leaning towards the XA for its being all black, its compactness, as well as the fact that its batteries are easier to get (which lasts for about 1yr from what I've heard)..But still not sure..

What's easier to maintain/repair between the two?

P.S. Someone's offering me an Olympus 35RC for $45 (shipping included), but it's self-timer lever is missing..Is that a good price already?
Click to expand...
 
@shadowfox
I'd love to get both, but I seriously don't have enough cash to purchase two..And I highly doubt I'd sell one of them, I'd probably use them on different occassions..XA for spontaneous, RC for planned ones hahaha!

@wallace
$33 for the adapter? That costs about 3/4 of the camera!

What other reliable batteries can I use with the Olympus 35RC?
 
dimitriroleda said:
@shadowfox
I'd love to get both, but I seriously don't have enough cash to purchase two..And I highly doubt I'd sell one of them, I'd probably use them on different occassions..XA for spontaneous, RC for planned ones hahaha!

@wallace
$33 for the adapter? That costs about 3/4 of the camera!

What other reliable batteries can I use with the Olympus 35RC?
Click to expand...

The adapter is manufactured in small quantities, so the price seems fair. It is also possible to make your own adapter if you
can solder.
Well, you could also use simple hearing aid batteries. The only disadvantage is that they don't last very long, maybe 2 or 3 months, but they are cheap. It might also be possible to use silver batteries with 1,5V and compensate with ASA setting.
Never tried this out, still have some original quicksilver batteries
which sometimes appear on evilbay. These last for years (if you don't forget to switch off the lightmeter...)
 
I think the battery in an Olympus 35RC is there only for the meter.

The camera works fine without a battery; just you don't have a light meter.

You can sunny f16, or use any other camera (with a meter) to get a light reading for the day and stick with it for a couple of hours.

Yes, I understand you about budget, I too am in a place where GAS is what I use for cooking not some hobby of buying and selling cameras and bragging about it.
 
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