Party/band show: XA or Leica?

[MarkoKovacevic]

This isn't paid work, just for fun or personal/friend photos. I'll be going to a few parties, and thats where I take a large portion of my photos.
I need some help with camera choices. I'm choosing between:

Leica iiia/Jupiter 8/Metz flash - Wicked setup, flash dwarfs the camera though and 50 may be tight for some shots. I would like to use this camera more, its not that I don't use it a lot, but its not my daily camera like the XA is, and I'd like it to be.

XA with A11 flash - Nice small camera, flash exposure is always spot on. RF isn't as good in low light [hard to see vs leica] so I sometimes have to scale focus, which I guess isn't a problem. I also have a urge to go and use my leica to get it all brassy.

What does RFF think? Which one and why?

Marko

 

[david.elliott]

Both. The XA will fit in your pocket anyway.

 

[MarkoKovacevic]

memphis: It's also my vacation kit! Nice and light with high image quality.

Hmm, just did a comparison. Why does the XA RF[with red dot on finder to increase RF contrast] and is 30 years old, suck compared to a 70 year old Leica? I'm not talking about focusing accuracy or anything, just being able to see the patch and being able to see the 2 images easily.

 

[Chris101]

Radically different cameras Marko. The XA is a 35mm f/2.8 with less capable focussing and a weaker flash. Your Leica/Jupiter/Metz setup is like, da bomb for dark location shooting when you don't care how much flash you throw at your subject. Plus the lens is f/2 so you could do available light if you had [strike]someone[/strike] something to lean on.

Plus the Leica is a chick magnet (which is so important at those kind of functions) while the Oly is ... not.

 

[MarkoKovacevic]

Chris, I actually can't do available light yet, as I need to get the lens CLA'd, which includes shimming for correct focusing. I have to stick with f4+ to get a sharp photo. The Oly is small and cute though!

And here's the set in question:

 

[Chris101]

Back to the chick magnet thing, does "small and cute" do it for you?

 

[Bingley]

I agree: both. But I would forget the XA flash: it's pretty lame. Better to find some high speed film, like Superia 800, and shoot available light (the shutter is close to zero vibration and is next to silent). W/ fast, bright contrasty film, the little fellow shines! I like to shoot mine w/ 400UC. And it fits in your pocket, too!

 

[Morca007]

Plus the Leica is a chick magnet (which is so important at those kind of functions) while the Oly is ... not.

I beg to differ, Chris, any film camera gets attention these days, especially one as cute as the XA(2). 😉

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

I beg to differ, Chris, any film camera gets attention these days, especially one as cute as the XA(2). 😉

if you need a fancy camera (or other male jewellery) to attract a female.............😉

 

[MarkoKovacevic]

Is the XA actually fancy?

 

[Darkhorse]

Speaking of the XA, what do they usually run for these days? The basic flashless rangefinder one I mean. I see them a lot selling at $100+ is this for real?

 

[MarkoKovacevic]

Speaking of the XA, what do they usually run for these days? The basic flashless rangefinder one I mean. I see them a lot selling at $100+ is this for real?

I bought my XA with A11 flash for $60? I think, and it ended up needing new seals [Which I got from Jon Goodman/Interslice for around $12 precut] and then it was perfect. It took me around a half hour with toothpicks and lighter fluid to get all the material out, and 10 min to put the new material in. I would say for XA+A11, around $50-60 for one that show wear/needs new seals, $80 for a resealed one. There's a nice one on APUG: http://www.apug.org/forums/classifieds.php?do=showad&adid=732&title=olympus-xa-price-reduction

ADDED: They're kinda a 'cult' camera for their small size, features and unique lens look. So they're kinda rising in price. My XA is well used.

 

[gerbilthemistake]

For partys i usually carry my XA2 A11 flash with me its small and i'm way less worried about it. A lot of times friends will want to handle whatever camera i bring, im more comfortable with them handling the XA2 especially if they've had a few drinks.

 

[feenej]

I dropped my XA at a Chester French concert last week, from the bleachers, onto pavement. Smashed the feck out of it. I was pricing a replacement at Keh: $80 to $150.

 

[MarkoKovacevic]

I dropped my XA at a Chester French concert last week, from the bleachers, onto pavement. Smashed the feck out of it. I was pricing a replacement at Keh: $80 to $150.

Yeah, KEH is surprisingly expensive for XAs, which usually sell above private sale asking prices, but they are cheap for SLRs, eg Nikon F3, which sell below private sale prices. Get a private sale XA.