Reprogramming an XA?

[wilt]

I had that suspicion about the Minox. It just doesn't look like as comfortable/efficient a shooter as an XA. But I have heard that at least one model has a better lens than the XA. Can't remember the exact details, but maybe slightly better distortion characteristics?

Trius

I have used the Minox 35 GT and GT-E for a long time. Recently I picked up an XA. The Minox lens is way better, in my opinion, than the XA (remember I'm talking about a particular XA; there must be some variation from sample to sample). Tonality in b&w, microcontrast, clarity - what words should one use to describe the signature of a lens?, it's a bit like describing the taste of wines - are much better in my Minox negs than the XA. I also find the Minox sharp.

It handles better than the XA (but that could be my hands being used to the Minox).

However, there are also problems with the camera. The lens is really good and the handling is good - small camera, really pocketable - but the mechanics could be better. Plastics ... Also, the Minox 35 GT has a reputation for shutter problems, which was supposedly fixed in the Minox 35 GT-E model. A feature I particularly dislike about the Minox is the uneven spacing between frames. Didn't mean much in the good old darkroom days, but something of a problem nowadays when I scan negs. The uneven spacing is a nuisance, some shots in a strip of 6 will always be decentred in the Scan Dual IV's film holder.

Also, the lack of rangefinder makes shooting at 2.8-4 and close range something of a hit and miss guess work.

So, optically the Minox is better than the XA, but the XA is better designed. It is a marvellous package with the rangefinder.

Wilt: I've always wanted to try a Minox, and that one sounds like a goo candidate. Is there any manual override or exposure compensation?

Trius

Well, you could spin the ASA speed dial for exposure compensation. There's also a more limited 1-step compensation button.

Generally, the Minox can be had quite cheap these days, used. I guess another positive side-effect of the digitals ...