What's a fair price for a working XA4 Macro?

[mackigator]

I'm thinking about parting with a working XA4 Macro (with A11 flash and case, non-original strap). I still reach for the original XA a lot more often than I reach for its rarer XA4 progeny.

Anyone have an idea about pricing these guys? They don't seem to sell very often so I'm having a hard time deciding what (and if) I should ask for it. Your help appreciated.

 

[bobomoon]

Not have the strap is going to hurt the price somewhat. When I had one it was pretty handy for using the macro range.

 

[bgb]

I have only seen one for sale down here in New Zealand, it was with a dealer and not cheap. Something like $150.00 but then there aren't many about ... how bad do you want one? Still cheaper than one of those silly Leicas 🙂

 

[agi]

They go for about $100 - $150 depending on condition. Missing the strap is going to hurt if the buyer knows what to look for. I love mine and wouldn't dream of selling it.

 

[barrykawa]

Here's a good way to find out. One of the first I've ever seen on eBay. Already a lot of interest, should bring a high price. That quartz dateback makes this XA4 extremely rare, according to an Olympus XA group on Yahoo groups.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=270377791645

 

[Trius]

If you're selling, I'll buy it for $50, postage in due to the missing strap. If you were buying, a lot more. 😀

Without the strap I'd say $80-100 depending on condition.

 

[mackigator]

Thanks friends. Those of you who shoot the XA4, how do you use it differently than the XA? Each time I take out the XA4 I end up wishing I had the taken the XA instead - the extra stop, the ability to control focus and DOF and still work very quickly - all matter to me. I don't find the extra width of the 28mm to do that much for me.

All above is related to my personal likes and I know the XA4 is a great camera - I'm keeping it for now - but I'm curious about others usage patterns here. Are you keeping it because its rare? Or for a particular shooting virtue?

 

[laptoprob]

Umm? What's so special about the strap? I have an XA with a perfect strap. Anyone? ;-)

 

[Trius]

Rob: The XA4 strap is longer and is used to measure subject distane for the macro mode.

The reason I would want an XA4 in addition to an XA is the 28mm focal length. Sometimes 35 just doesn't cut it. At that wide, scale focus is fine, though lack of aperture selection is an issue.

 

[shadowfox]

Exactly, the strap is handy for shots like this:

Anybody hungry? 😀

I actually use my XA-4 more than my XA nowadays, I find the scale focusing very liberating for snapshots, and I fully trust Mr. Maitani's metering design. So far, it hasn't disappoint me yet.

 

[Trius]

Yummy shot in more ways that one.

 

[agi]

Damn Will...now I'm hungry.

I've been using my XA4 a lot lately. It's been my main camera when I'm walking the streets of San Francisco. The reason being is that it's so damn easy to use and so very discreet. As Will said, the scale focusing makes it even easier and you don't even have to think. I load it with 1600 and let it fly.

Here are my photos using the XA4:

http://www.alapan.com/blog/?cat=35

 

[RF_newbie]

Great XA4 shots John, i enjoyed them. i sold mine awhile back also and kept the XA.
Soooo i ditto robs offer if anyone is interested in a trade XA for XA4
:smile:

 

[agi]

Thanks RFnewbie...

I just ran 2 rolls of kodachrome in it. Can't wait to get it processed to see what comes out 🙂.

 

[chris00nj]

On the Bay, they've gone for $112 & $120 without flash, but with strap. With A16 flash and strap, one went for $133.

Since the strap has an important function, it's going to take a chunk off. The alternative to buying your XA4 with a limited macro ability, is buying an XA. An XA goes for about $75 in nice & working order.

I think $95 is a fair price.