Olympus XA

[Harlee]

Today for some unexplainable reason, I picked up the instructions for one of my XA series cameras to see what battery Olympus recommends for the XA series. One of the first things my eyes fell on was their advice to set the aperature to F5.6, and the distance to 3 meters, but it doesn't say why! I've been shooting These cameras for 25+ years and I think this is really the first time I ever took the time to read the instructions. As most of you know, the F5.6 setting and the 3 Meter setting is colored orange, but I don't believe I've ever shot any pictures with that setting, at least intentionally. I'm wondering if this is some sort of hyperfocal setting for taking snapshot pictures, but I'm also wondering how many pictures would come out if that setting was left there for an entire roll of film, taking pictures outdoors here in sunny Florida. I personally focus for every shot, but I have noticed that if focus is on something say 8' to 10' away it distance scale is already on infinity. Anybody out there utilizing the F5.6 and 8M setting when you shoot?

 

[mdarnton]

So funny. I have had mine since 1979, and never read the instructions (where are they now?) I remember noticing the colored numbers at some point, and not knowing why, but have never given it a second thought. 🙂

Anyway, what a wonderful little camera!

 

[dxq.canada]

Yes, that combination is for hyperfocal distance focusing.

I used to use hyperfocal a lot on my SLR ... before they removed the distance/dof markings on the lenses.

 

[Bingley]

On my XA, it's an orange 8, as in feet, but that's what I use when doing street-type photography, w/ the shutter set at f5.6 or f8 (or f11 for that matter).

 

[Bill58]

With some trepidation, I took my seldom used XA out of the case this morn, put batteries in, and took a deep breath........and it didn't work one more time. It's always the switch (interlock) in the clam shell door that goes on the blink.

It is clearly the "shop queen" in my collection. Maybe I need to give up on it.

 

[Harlee]

I guess the best way to find out is to put some film in and shoot several shots at F5.6 @ 8' and see how they come of focuswise. I often utilize the hyperfocal distance on my Yash GSN with a setting of F11 and lining up the F11 mark on ifinity. With the GSN, everything from approximately 3 meters to infinity will be in focus. It works much better with 400 film, especially here in Florida. Thanks guys!

 

[Spavinaw]

Another way to find out is to read the instruction manual which will tell you that when the camera is set to f5.6 at 8 feet the depth of field is from 5.85 to 12.8 feet based on a circle of confusion of 1/ 760 inch (1/30mm).

 

[Trius]

Funny, I yesterday I pulled out one of my XAs and made some very informal exposures at a small party. I hadn't used an XA for many months. I have decided it will be my 35mm take-along when I am out with the 4x5 kit -- adds no real weight, and slips easily into the top convenience pocket of the backpack.

 

[David Hughes]

Surely the red/orange marks are for a snapshot setting or for grab shots?

Regards, David

 

[unixrevolution]

As has been pointed out, the orange settings are "snapshotty distance".

I ran the calculations, and you don't get true hyperfocal unless the RF is on the red mark, and aperture is F/22.

My XA has been wonderful to me. It's my favorite pocket camera, and goes with me literally everywhere, all the time. If only the RF patch wasn't so dim...

 

[coelacanth]

Picked one up recently and loving it (3rd time trying XA). Another one coming from an RFF member.

One of the recent favorites.


Fashionably waiting by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr

 

[Lawrence A.]

As has been pointed out, the orange settings are "snapshotty distance".

I ran the calculations, and you don't get true hyperfocal unless the RF is on the red mark, and aperture is F/22.

My XA has been wonderful to me. It's my favorite pocket camera, and goes with me literally everywhere, all the time. If only the RF patch wasn't so dim...

Try putting a tiny piece of black electrical tape in the center of the viewfinder in front, where the rangefinder patch would be. Make it very small. I read about this trick somewhere (forget where or I'd give credit) and it really does improve things considerably. Give it a try.

 

[raid]

I bought last week another XA from a RFF member. Why not? I paid $40.

 

[laoyou]

Try putting a tiny piece of black electrical tape in the center of the viewfinder in front, where the rangefinder patch would be. Make it very small. I read about this trick somewhere (forget where or I'd give credit) and it really does improve things considerably. Give it a try.

+1
I use a very small black tape on my XA and it works very well.

 

[petronius]

Try putting a tiny piece of black electrical tape in the center of the viewfinder in front, where the rangefinder patch would be. Make it very small. I read about this trick somewhere (forget where or I'd give credit) and it really does improve things considerably. Give it a try.

The credit goes to Rick Oleson (I read this trick on his side first)
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-165.html

 

[MikeDimit]

I tried the trick on FED-3. THANK YOU, PEOPLE! It works perfect!

 

[lxmike]

I must admit that I have been using the XA for far too many years which means Im getting old, the 'orange' snapshot settings on the camera are a very quick and effecient was to shoot street style

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

You can do a similar trick to blot out the 50mm frame lines on the Leica CL. Getting the 4 thin strips of tape in the right position is a pita but it pays off if you don't like the 50mm frame lines.

Regards, David