John Bragg
Well-known
This week, as Lockdown is being gradually relaxed in the UK, I have taken the odd socially distanced walk and taken in my pocket my XA3. This was bought for £1 from Ebay in very good condition, apart from the usual foam rot on seals and a while ago I replaced those with the help of a Jon Goodman kit which has been money well spent. It is the third of my cameras to be re-sealed, but to my shame I hadn't used it since the refurb. It struck me that it may be one of the fastest street cameras and certainly one of the stealthiest. I am trying to capture the return of life to once busy spots and I am conscious that folks may not be keen to be photographed right now, but the zone focussing and near silent shutter has allowed me to remain invisible. I have just finished the first roll of HP5+ today and can't wait to process it. I would welcome advice and shared experience of using this tiny marvel. It has been a very Zen like experience and I can see it becoming one of my most used cameras. Now to blow the dust off the Canonet QL17 GIII that I have also been sitting on, but that is another story.
David Hughes
David Hughes
There's little to tell; wind the film on, open the cover then frame the subject and press the red button...
Try not to change the zone by memory as memory can fail and screw things up. That would be a pity as a lot can be squeezed out of all of the XA series.
Regards, David
Try not to change the zone by memory as memory can fail and screw things up. That would be a pity as a lot can be squeezed out of all of the XA series.
Regards, David
CharlesDAMorgan
Veteran
The lens is stellar, if only I could remember to check the front before firing! What is useful to me is you can override the DX by taping the film capsule, and then set the speed on the front.
Just make sure you grip it well when shooting, my technique has been tested and found wanting. I try now to use faster film - this was Kodak Tmax 400 which I taped and shot at 800 (same developing - it's a superb film for flexibility). The little lever to add 1.5 stops for backlit scenes is a joy to use and perfectly calibrated. I prefer a rangefinder for street photography as opening the clamshell does take a bit of time, but it's undoubtedly unobtrusive!
Just make sure you grip it well when shooting, my technique has been tested and found wanting. I try now to use faster film - this was Kodak Tmax 400 which I taped and shot at 800 (same developing - it's a superb film for flexibility). The little lever to add 1.5 stops for backlit scenes is a joy to use and perfectly calibrated. I prefer a rangefinder for street photography as opening the clamshell does take a bit of time, but it's undoubtedly unobtrusive!
John Bragg
Well-known
Thanks David. I have been told that in good light all you need is the orange middle focus zone. Is that right ?
John Bragg
Well-known
The lens is stellar, if only I could remember to check the front before firing! What is useful to me is you can override the DX by taping the film capsule, and then set the speed on the front.
Just make sure you grip it well when shooting, my technique has been tested and found wanting. I try now to use faster film - this was Kodak Tmax 400 which I taped and shot at 800 (same developing - it's a superb film for flexibility). The little lever to add 1.5 stops for backlit scenes is a joy to use and perfectly calibrated. I prefer a rangefinder for street photography as opening the clamshell does take a bit of time, but it's undoubtedly unobtrusive!
Thanks Charles. That DX override appeals to me too. I usually scrape and tape my film cassettes to hack them to ei200 but the ability to select at will is great.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
Another self illusion thread.
Small size of the camera helps to deal with image taker fears.
Once you grow from it, you'll realize what best disguise is to be very open of what you are doing. It is safest way to have no trouble with those who doesn't like to be photographed.
In the opposite, playing spy games with XA is direct call for trouble.
Small size of the camera helps to deal with image taker fears.
Once you grow from it, you'll realize what best disguise is to be very open of what you are doing. It is safest way to have no trouble with those who doesn't like to be photographed.
In the opposite, playing spy games with XA is direct call for trouble.
John Bragg
Well-known
Thankyou for that. I could take a suitably heavy camera like my Bronica and it would be handy in a self defence situation.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
You are not street ready, grown to act on it respectfully, if you are willing to escalate conflict with violence.
John Bragg
Well-known
Sorry you have a sense of humour failure. It was a joke.
tbhv55
Well-known
John, it was me who posted that information, in the other recent thread on the XA series. As I said in that thread, it was something that I'd read some time ago - but can't remember where.
Some are sceptical of the idea, but my experience is that it is substantially correct. I've had far fewer blurry shots from my XA2 since adopting that approach.
John Bragg
Well-known
Thanks Again David. I am looking forward to developing the film.
Its other great strength seems to be in lack of shutter lag. I was trying to capture my toddler mid air on a trampoline. I hope I succeeded
tbhv55
Well-known
I'll be interested to learn whether the approach has worked for you.
[BTW, I think you've mixed me up with David Hughes, who has also contributed to this thread (and many others!).]
David Hughes
David Hughes
Re: Middle Zone Setting
Re: Middle Zone Setting
In the original brochure for the XA and XA2 is says the "universal focus™ position ..will assure excellent results even if you never bother to focus at all". And in the last XA/XA3/XA4 Macro brochure they call it the "Focus Free setting".
Having said/quoted that; mostly people remember this website, imo:-
http://www.diaxa.com/xastart.htm
I don't know why but when I checked the link it didn't go where I expected; this might just:- http://www.diaxa.com/xastart.htm
Regards, David
PS Thanks tbhv55; John, I'm the one with the long grey beard...
Re: Middle Zone Setting
In the original brochure for the XA and XA2 is says the "universal focus™ position ..will assure excellent results even if you never bother to focus at all". And in the last XA/XA3/XA4 Macro brochure they call it the "Focus Free setting".
Having said/quoted that; mostly people remember this website, imo:-
http://www.diaxa.com/xastart.htm
I don't know why but when I checked the link it didn't go where I expected; this might just:- http://www.diaxa.com/xastart.htm
Regards, David
PS Thanks tbhv55; John, I'm the one with the long grey beard...
John Bragg
Well-known
I'll be interested to learn whether the approach has worked for you.
I am so sorry for my confusion, but thanks again. I have referenced that thread and that's where I got the info.
John Bragg
Well-known
Thanks again David. I was multi tasking and failing.
tbhv55
Well-known
tbhv55
Well-known
I don't think that's going to help much, David - my beard is grey too!
(but at least it's hardly "long" by any normal beard measure.)
John Bragg
Well-known
I don't think that's going to help much, David - my beard is grey too!
And my beard is grey and also getting longer. How many photographers of our age are bearded ? Just the men I hasten to add, although I'm sure women have the freedom to be hirsute.
Grey-beard here too but I keep it short, 17mm setting on the trimmer. Never had an Olympus XA....
David Hughes
David Hughes
Well, that explains a lot...