XA/RC Image Quality Comparison

[zuikologist]

Solinar - I use a bendy tripod with a small ball head. It works very well and fits quite easily in a pocket. I hear good things about the Ultrapod but it is bigger.

I agree about the XA/RC size. It you wear a coat, carrying either is no problem. Otherwise, the XA will fit into a trouser pocket and is easy to open and shoot quite quickly. The 35mm focal length probably works slightly better for zone focus/fast shooting. I have both cameras and like them both.

 

[shadowfox]

XA isn't capable of sharpness?

The 35 RC is sharp, but XA has better microcontrast.

Both are potent shooters, what else do you expect from Mr. Maitani? 😉

 

[Trius]

Some people have a more difficult time holding the XA without some slight movement ... it is definitely a different feel and of a different heft than the RC and similar cameras. Couple that with the "hair trigger" of the XA (which has rarely been a problem for me, but YMMV), plus sample variation, and I think those things explain the perceived difference in capabilities. ... And, of course, the difference in the lens designs.

what else do you expect from Mr. Maitani? 😉

I expect him to un-retire, of course. 😀

 

[Anupam]

An image from my XA. I feel that the RD is a better combo with the XA.

 

[Scribo]

shadowfox,

That's what I've been hoping to see from this camera.

Nice.

 

[lambyu]

i've been using XA for about 7 yrs, it has been my main pocket camera and i bring it along with me when i go travel.
here's my site, more then 90% of photos inside are by the XA, i really love it's portability and performance.
www.lambiseverywhere.co.nr
i've tried different RF/compact RF as well, but i think portability is the most important for daily snap shots/care-free trips.

 

[ernstk]

Lambyu, welcome to the forum. These Chernobyl and Pripyat photos are amazing. Was it safe to go there?

Regards
Ernst

 

[Leighgion]

I don't have an RC so I can't compare, but my XA hasn't been one to impress me as a sharpness machine compared to my Nikon SLRs. To be fair, I've no doubt that part of the issue is that I don't hold the little lightweight anywhere near as steady and I've also never had it CLA'd, so I don't know how accurate the focus is.

Still, it's very pocketable and has made some nice images for me.

 

[lambyu]

Lambyu, welcome to the forum. These Chernobyl and Pripyat photos are amazing. Was it safe to go there?

Regards
Ernst

hi ernst,
it's completely safe to go there, just look for the local tour(only one) at Kiev. cheaper if you've a bigger group.
cheers,
lamb

 

[mcgrattan]

I bought an XA a month or two back, and so far, have been quite disappointed with it. So I can see where the OP is coming from. I find the edge softness and the vignetting a little disappointing for me, and everything seems to have a '1970s' sort of colour rendition which I don't like.

Looking around at other's shots on Flickr and on the web, most of them exhibit the same 'look' and it's a look I find I'm not keen on. I'll probably run a few more black and white rolls through it, and if I still don't like it, offload. It's a shame as an aperture priority pocketable rangefinder was exactly what I wanted.

I prefer the shots taken with my mju II and also with the little GAF rangefinder I used to have. And my FSU and Retina cameras are in a different league.

The camera isn't faulty -- the shots are all in focus and well-exposed, I just find the look isn't right for my taste.

Oh well.

 

[Scribo]

Following a couple of the suggestions in this thread, I did put the camera on a tripod for some test shots that were quite crisp. So I knew what the camera could do, and I began to pay more attention to my hold. After that even the handheld shots were a lot closer to my expectations. I'm pretty sure now that in my earlier shots I was getting some micro-shake. Not a lot, but enough to throw off the edge sharpness somewhat.

The XA seems to take some practice. It is lighter and smaller than anything I've used before. But the big factor is the very light trigger. There is virtually no travel on the shutter release; consequently the camera is firing a fraction of a second sooner than I expect.

So, shooting with the XA isn't reflexive. I do have to be conscious of the mechanics. But when I am, the output is fine.

I have had no problem with vignetting, but I usually have the aperature around f/8 or f/11.

 

[wjlapier]

Another vote for a sharp XA. Before I post my pic, I'm wondering who services these cameras. Mine has some debris in the VF, and I'd like to get a CLA before I go the GNP.

Bill

 

[John Shriver]

Focusing the XA is by moving one "floating" group to change the focal length of the lens. If someone has worked on the lens of the XA without the proper jigs for setting up the location of the internal focusing element, and without setting up the shims for overall lens position, sharpness will be compromised. Since it's not a unit focusing lens, it's only optimally sharp at the one distance of 2.6246 meters (see the service manual).

I've never had any particular feelings or opinions about the sharpness of the lens. I have noticed the strong vignetting at wide apertures when shooting Kodachrome 64 in low light. (I now feed my XA a steady diet of Fuji 800Z.)