malfunction of the meter????
malfunction of the meter????
OK, so the red flag and shot shutoff is not working. But what you haven't told us is if a roll of film shot with it the way it's working is coming out properly exposed for conditions you know should produce a picture. It's going to cost you a roll of film possibly, but if it produces properly exposed pictures, the only downside is that it is not warning you when exposure is too high or too low and stopping the shot. I'm relatively sure you can learn when that is going to occur. Secondly, in low light conditions, you can always use a flash. The camera should sync properly to flash if working otherwise.
Thirdly, you can have it checked out, but the going rate for camera service (even just a diagnostic) is more than the replacement value of the camera. Fourth, you can replace it, but if you do, I would replace it with at least an XA2. I just bought two XA2's that both work for $22. Yes, the XA2 uses batteries, but it uses contemporary batteries that are very inexpensive. If yo must have an XA1, they are a bit harder to find, but I still see them occasionally on eBay. I had an XA1, but I didn't like the long stroke on the shutter. I think it affects the camera stability when it triggers, whereas the electric shutter in all the other XA cameras, is almost imperceptible in operation.
Hope this helps.
I am shooting one XA where the meter needle does not indicate the chosen shutter speed, but the camera meter clearly works because the shutter speed audibly change and it produces properly exposed pictures.
These camera's are getting old and while they may still operate, not every function may work. I am getting old and the same thing is happening to me. Some parts are not working like they should, but I still get most of the things accomplished that I attempt.
