Surprised by Olympus XA

[chenick]

Great little camera, ideal for the pocket.

Positives:
nice sharp, contrasty lens, especially stopped down a bit
very quiet shutter
looks like a cheap P+S

Negatives:
super sensitive shutter release
lens a bit softer at 2.8 and has some vignetting.
looks like a cheap P+S 🙂

Sample pics
Pics 1+2 at F8, note detail in 100% crop (Fuji Frontier camera shop scan, not high res)
Pic 3, F2.8, note vignetting and softness (may be partially caused by shake ~1/15 shutter)

-Nick

[EDIT] Oh yeah, got this camera from Lars (Meakin) here on RFF. Cheers!!

 

[bmattock]

Very nicely done! Don't forget the 'other' XA, the unloved XA2. This is not a rangefinder - but it has a very nice lens as well, and it's easier to use in a crowd, etc.

I like the way you listed the 'cheap look' as one of the pros as well as the cons. I don't see it as a downside, but I do understand.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[captainslack]

I was surprised at the XA when I first tried it out (it was a gift from Bill, as a matter of fact). It's a great little camera, not to mention an engineering marvel! I can't get over how they managed to fit a six-element lens in that little body. Quite a feat!

 

[DougK]

My XA is one of my favorite cameras... I'd hate it if mine died and I'd probably be scouring eBay immediately to get a replacement.

 

[XAos]

I still need an XA(0) but I just discovered the Stylus Epic - got mine today, and other than being sluggish on the wind, I love it. I know it's not a rangefinder - the XA2 isn't either, but it at least is an honorary rangefinder 🙂 The SE is REALLY not a rangefinder, since its AF, other than that - in essence it's a better XA2. The SE brings the aperture back down to a f/2.8, adds film advance, remote, and autofocus. For me the real kicker is that the XA2's minimum focus distance is just too short for a 35mm lens. The XA's are a smidge smaller, but lots more shapely. SE is kinda unloved by all camps, too old to be cool, to new to be hip, its market yanked out from under by digicams. When they make a 25 megapixel digicam with a f/2.8 lens, will shoot ISO 3200, has a remote and costs $40 on ebay and fits in my coat pocket I'll think about it. In the meantime I think I found my fire cam.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

If you want to get the best out of the XA, throw some Sensia in there. Cross process or don't. Results are really good most of the time.

 

[RayPA]

Great little camera, ideal for the pocket.

Positives:
nice sharp, contrasty lens, especially stopped down a bit
very quiet shutter
looks like a cheap P+S

Negatives:
super sensitive shutter release
lens a bit softer at 2.8 and has some vignetting.
looks like a cheap P+S 🙂

Sample pics
Pics 1+2 at F8, note detail in 100% crop (Fuji Frontier camera shop scan, not high res)
Pic 3, F2.8, note vignetting and softness (may be partially caused by shake ~1/15 shutter)

-Nick

[EDIT] Oh yeah, got this camera from Lars (Meakin) here on RFF. Cheers!!

Very funny that the cheap P+S look is both a positive and a negative, but it's true. The hair trigger shutter is too much for me, as is the not-so-quiet film advance that feels and sounds like a disposable drugstore camera, but I love how quiet the shutter is, and the great little lens. Nice break down of a great camera.

 

[cbass]

"Honorary RF" and "unloved" -- two great terms for the little XA2! LOL! Thanks, Bill & XAos! 😀 But remember, if we keep praising the XA/XA2/SE then the used prices are going to go up. Don't let our secret out!

The two things I like best about the little Oly are that it is eminently pocketable and that it is ultra-quick to use. I've made shots with the XA2 (especially street stuff) that I would not have been able to make with my othr RFs. Bonus quality: the VF framelines are easy to see even for glasses wearers like me.

 

[Leicanthrope]

I bought one of these recently, which has allowed me to post rather than merely lurk on the forum, as it's the first rangefinder I've ever owned. I've only shot about four rolls of film so far, including one I finished today, and haven't scanned any of the prints yet, which is why I don't have a gallery so far.

I love using it, and, because of its size, now take it everywhere (though an Olympus mju V is currently in my pocket, which will most likely be regularly occupied by the Yashica T5 I've just bought, when it arrives). The only downside I've found with it is the shutter release; either it doesn't fire for some reason, or it just goes off with the slightest accidental touch - I've wasted quite a few frames like that, including shots of the sky and accidental self-portraits. I find I very rarely use the rangefinder mechanism itself, as most of my subjects tend to be three metres or more away, but it's nice to know it's there.

In view of the problem with the shutter I think it could do with servicing, and the light seals certainly need replacing, but, even in the short time I've had it, it's proven itself a valuable addition to my collection, as my other serious compacts (Nikon 35Ti and 28Ti) are, much as I love them, a little too bulky and heavy to carry everywhere, so I've been able to take shots I wouldn't have got without it.

 

[RayPA]

...The only downside I've found with it is the shutter release; either it doesn't fire for some reason, or it just goes off with the slightest accidental touch - I've wasted quite a few frames like that, including shots of the sky and accidental self-portraits...
...and the light seals certainly need replacing

Exactly what mine does too. I've pretty much put it away for a while. I've missed too many shots, and wasted too many frames. If I ever get the chance for a one in nice condition at a decent price I wouldn't hesitate. They are running at a premium these days, though.

 

[captainslack]

I've wasted quite a few frames like that, including shots of the sky and accidental self-portraits.

I got quite a lovely shot of the sky with my XA!! In fact, it was so nice, I posted in my gallery!! 😛

 

[XAos]

Shutter not release on the XA (at least the 2, and in my experience) is usually because it's not quite fully advanced. You may have film slippage beginning.

 

[Leicanthrope]

'Film slippage' - OK, looks like it definitely needs servicing fairly promptly. With regard to XA's being at a premium, I paid almost £80 ($150) for mine, which, in view of the additional expense I'm going to have, was probably a little too much. The seller described it as 'immaculate', and apparently it had only had one roll of film through it, and I thought it worth paying that much for an example which I took to be as good as new. It appears someone else had the same idea, as I got drawn into a bit of a bidding war, and ended up paying more than I'd originally contemplated. I'd been after one for quite a while, and kept losing out because of not wanting to go above my self-imposed ceiling of £60, but this time for some reason I was determined not to lose it.

Incidentally, I've just doubled my tally of rangefinders by purchasing an Olympus 35 SP (on 'Buy it now') for almost exactly what I paid for the XA. This one's supposedly 'mint' as well...

 

[Lawrence A.]

I just got my first test roll of the newly acquired XA scanned, and I'm very happy. The lens does a good job stopped down a bit, and the dim rangefinder patch was brought up to very useable contrast with a tiny piece of black tape in the middle of the front of the viewfinder. It's really a remarkable fix. I shot up a roll fast to test the camera, but the shot below may be a keeper. The little thing is great fun to use; I expect I'll have it with me a lot, with acros 100, though, rather than the HP5 shot here, so I can take advantage of those sharp middle f-stops in the merciless southwestern sun.

 

[lxmike]

The xa is my favourite compact rangefinder for night work, place it on tripod, self timer and let the electronics do its magic, great for long exposures, Ive had some great results, or rather surprising results

 

[Lawrence A.]

Exactly what mine does too. I've pretty much put it away for a while. I've missed too many shots, and wasted too many frames. If I ever get the chance for a one in nice condition at a decent price I wouldn't hesitate. They are running at a premium these days, though.

The times mine has not fired were because the clam-shell was not fully retracted. Otherwise I've had no problem that way. But like everyone else I've fire shots I did not mean to because of the hair trigger, though I'm getting better with practice.

I really like the little beast, though, and when I can't decide what camera to "carry", I throw it in a pocket and don't really carry anything.

 

[bsdunek]

I have my Dad's, which he loved and was about the only camera he used in his last five years. I don't see anything wrong with it. Just be sensitive!

 

[jasonhumor]

I agree with all of your opinions. Another perfect camera on street.