Olympus XA1

Harlee

Harlee

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I have 6 of the XA series, 2 XAs, 2 XA 2s, 2 XA 3s, but I don't have an XA4 nor an XA 1. Mine are all in working order and take great pictures. I'm thinking about picking up an XA 1, but I'm really not sure of the quality of the pictures it will produce. I travel a lot and wonder if the XA 1 is capable of producing decent pictures which will be taken in Russia and Ukraine. I always carry at least one of the series and I'm wondering if the XA 1 is worth considering?
 
Harlee said:
I have 6 of the XA series, 2 XAs, 2 XA 2s, 2 XA 3s, but I don't have an XA4 nor an XA 1... I'm thinking about picking up an XA 1...
Click to expand...

If you get an XA1 you may feel compelled to get an XA4, and those are expensive.
Then you'll need the Japan-only colored XA2s to round out your collection...

Chris
 
Well, after Googling the XA1 and checking out some of the pictures, I believe I can live without one. The 1/30 - 1/250 shutter speed along with fixed focus leaves a lot to be desired. All of mine take great pictures and I see no need to add an XA1, as I'm not a "collector." I really wish I could afford a red or blue XA2 however! Thanks for the input guys!
 
They are cheap. If you want the whole collection then go for it. For decent images you need good light and fast film to keep the aperture small. I'm sure the limitations of the lens can be used creatively, if someone wanted to figure out how...
 
I've had a couple of the XA1 models...

I've had a couple of the XA1 models...

I became absolutely convinced the only purpose for the camera was to produce a camera that was not battery dependent. The selenium meter was a nice idea. Problem... they must have needed the space used on the other XA models for the inner workings and lenses that made them so much better. The XA1 was a turd, unless you ran out of batteries and had no source nearby.

Now, the XA4 was nice, if you also held out for the lanyard that was the measuring tool for the exact close focus distance. Nice camera for closeup, best in the line for that.
 
Hi,

My one does this and I'm happy with it.

969330073_jbkov-L.jpg


A couple of minor considerations are that the camera takes only 100 or 400 film. But you can put 400 in it and switch to the 100 position when shooting into the light. And, they were cheap, so don't expect them to have been looked after over the years.

Having said that, mine will need a bit of work done on it soon and I don't mind spending the money as it's a pleasant camera. But, OTOH, with the a stable of them why bother? Although the XA1 and XA4 will complete the set, with the red ones etc... (and both cases).

Regards, David

Regards, David
 
I'll throw idea for XA-mania - look for colored XA2's, they take as good pictures as regular black ones and are great conversation starters 🙂
 
Dave, your pic of the train at the station is a good shot. It appears to be as sharp as what the XA2 will do, especially on an overcast day. Do you recall what film you were using and what time of the day it was? What sort of work will you have to do on it?
 
Harlee said:
Dave, your pic of the train at the station is a good shot. It appears to be as sharp as what the XA2 will do, especially on an overcast day. Do you recall what film you were using and what time of the day it was? What sort of work will you have to do on it?
Click to expand...

Hi,

There's nothing special about my technique and nothing done by me after taking the picture.

With the XA1 my work flow is: put film in camera, wind film on, push shutter button when it looks OK in the VF. Then repeat ;-)

There's nothing else you can do and I take it to a one hour lab that I've been using for years and where I chat up the girls. The latter is very important... You get the best results from places where they know you as a regular customer.

FWIW, with P&S's you have to realise they've limitations and work within them. And the XA1 is a pleasant camera from a great stable with everything going for it as a 99 pennies on ebay sort of camera. It's also great to have the contre jour trick available via the film speed changer.

As for the film, probably a supermarket Fuji (C200 or Z200): I buy negative film when I see it going cheap these days.

I'm sorry I can't tell you more than that.

Regards, David

PS And the scan above was from on of those CD's for a pound that they'll do in most one hour labs. Perfect for forums and cataloguing photographs.
 
He, he, he! This is scarey cause you strike me as thinking the same way that I do. Perhaps I may go for the XA1 just to say I have one!!!!
 
Well, I took the plunge and bought the XA1. I made the seller an offer and he accepted it, so as soon as it arrives I'll load it up with some 400 film and see what the negs look like. I leave for Western Ukraine the first week of October and I'll pack it and shoot some pics to sort of document the trip.
 
Well, the XA1 arrived today and I was greatly surprised in that it's in mint condition! But......................it won't advance the film and the red flag is up in the viewfinder. Therefore, I intend to remove the base plate today and see if I can determine why or what's jamming it up. If anyone out there has any suggestions, I'm open to suggestions. Someone on Classic Camera Repair Forum wrote that I have a dead meter cell and I should leave it with the back open and it will eventually work. Does this make any sense to any of you?
 
That's very disappointing!
Just gone to the 'store' found my XA1 and tried it. Wound, and shutter fired quite OK - no film in though. In the base of the camera is an inset lever for putting the film speed to 100ASA or 400ASA have you checked this setting?
Otherwise can't help.

jesse
 
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