Should I pick up another XA?

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MarkoKovacevic

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Hey all. My Olympus XA died while on vacation, and I'm considering picking up another one. My main concerns are:

The RF patch will be crappy.
I already have a Stylus Epic, which is pretty much the AF version of it. The only thing I don't like is the noise and possibly the build quality, though I have dropped it quite a few times. I have no need for the A-Priority, most of the time I just set it to the amount of light there is, 2.8 indoor, 8/11 out. The MF can be replaced by the spot focusing feature.

I'm not sure which lens I prefer, the XA's is far too sharp outdoors, makes everything look ugly.

I however, really enjoyed that I didn't have to replace batteries every 2-30 rolls, especially at $10 a battery, like the Epic is.

What's your take on this?
 
Get another XA, perhaps this time an extra XA4 as a backup/alternative?

XA are the little camera that could, why change a great thing?

B2 (;->
 
If the XA is too sharp outdoors, just mis-align the rangefinder. ;)

Seriously, I'm not sure what you mean. Can you explain? What film do you normally shoot? I'm wondering if your dissatisfaction is something else, such as contrast, processing, etc.

Maybe neither the XA nor the Epic are your best bet. A Rollei 35 or some other comparable camera might be a consideration.
 
Umm, well the lens renders everything so sharply, especially nature shots, and I don't like that look personally. It also seems slightly blown out, undersaturated, and very sharp. I did really enjoy the color shots from that lens, but not BWs.

Finally, I'm not sure if I need it, as my two cameras [Leica/15mm and Epic/35mm] fulfill my photography needs. Is the general opinion that the RF patch sucks? Because I always found myself longing for my Leica RF or a AF system in less than stellar light.
 
To the OP: yes.

Off-topic, but I was at the Pasadena, CA camera show this past Sunday, and - I kid you not - I saw at least two XAs change hands there. Something about that little camera.

I enjoyed one for a while, but eventually found the RF/VF too squinty. I think, though, that I should have kept it for pocket use. I found it better to use than a P&S, at least for me.


Cheers,
--joe.
 
Personally, I found the VF[not RF] of the XA better than any of my cameras VFs, excluding the 15mm VF that came with that lens. Plus, with the XA I was always thinking, which one do I take...
 
MarkoKovacevic said:
Umm, well the lens renders everything so sharply, especially nature shots, and I don't like that look personally. It also seems slightly blown out, undersaturated, and very sharp. I did really enjoy the color shots from that lens, but not BWs.
Click to expand...

Strange... I always felt the same way about my B&W results from my own XA. I just figured my film/processing choices weren't ideally suited for the negatives from the XA's lens. Results from C-41 film like Kodak Portra 160NC always looked great, however.

It's just interesting to see someone else thought the B&W from the XA looked different.
 
burninfilm said:
Results from C-41 film like Kodak Portra 160NC always looked great, however.

It's just interesting to see someone else thought the B&W from the XA looked different.
Click to expand...

That combo=love

I never saw the XA as a BW camera. The vignetting, the super high sharpness, just seems suited for high contrast/saturation color.
 
Just get another XA, okay? If it's in good shape, you know you won't regret it.

Mark: I used the XA with black-and-white film, no problem.


- Barrett
 
I would suspect the B&W processing could be tweaked. Like Barrett, I've never been displeased with b&w in the XA, but personal tastes are involved as well.
 
Hi, I don't know the situation where you live but I'd get the XA repaired. The alternative "new" one won't be brand new but about the same age and you will have spent money to stand still. A repair may clear up other problems, in passing, and you'll get back a camera that works like a new one.

Just my 2d worth. David
 
If you drop your cameras frequently, I wouldn't get a Rollei 35. It has a metal top deck, which will become damaged very quickly.
 
My XA was very sharp outdoors, and - would you believe it? - indoors too!, but this did'nt seem to make things look 'ugly', in fact they looked just fine!. For a similar amount, you could get a Lomo, or Holga, that might be unsharp enough, but personally with such indecision over a cheapo camera, I'd think about taking up fishing, or something similar - in stead!;)
Dave:)
PS I've heard of people smearing a little vaseline on a uv filter, and holding it in front, to combat exessive sharpness!:D
 
Dave Wilkinson said:
My XA was very sharp outdoors, and - would you believe it? - indoors too!, but this did'nt seem to make things look 'ugly', in fact they looked just fine!. For a similar amount, you could get a Lomo, or Holga, that might be unsharp enough, but personally with such indecision over a cheapo camera, I'd think about taking up fishing, or something similar - in stead!;)
Dave:)
PS I've heard of people smearing a little vaseline on a uv filter, and holding it in front, to combat exessive sharpness!:D
Click to expand...

It's actually a pretty expensive camera - for me as a student at least. :p I don't own any M leicas, only a old screwmount one :D
I have taken up fishing actually!
 
It's time to give XA4 a try.

3853193766_ba0af48414_o.jpg


... be careful, it is sharp as well. :angel:
 
I'd say yes.

I have been through three XAs now. All dropped, lost, or broken. I got an Olympus Stylus with a 35mm f3.5 lens- it won't do long exposures, so I'm looking for another XA.
 
I definitely think you should buy another. I think that it looks great stopped down a bit and you can always slip it into a pocket for when a photo opportunity pops up at random:



 
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