Anybody like Olympus XA's?

[68degrees]

Ive had mine for must be about 5 years now or maybe more, time goes so fast these days. I love the size and quiet operation. It even has a little rangefinder built in but you can scale focus too just as easily with its pretty wide lens. I think its 35mm. It does seem rather fragile though. Some kind of belt holster or sheath or rubber armor of some kind would be nice.

Any XA people in here?

 

[Cholentpot]

I have two XA2's and I really like them. They're sharp and fast to use. They're also quite fun.

 

[Lanline]

I've had an XA cameras since they were new, maybe 15 total over the years. I also have XA2 and XA3 cameras. My last two XA cameras died within the last few months. One suffered the SELF TIMER only fault - it only fires on SELF TIMER, regardless of the switch. The other the take-up gear fell out. Never disappointed by the XA2/XA3 so until I find another solid XA, I'm still shooting.

 

[summicron1]

the XA is a cult camera for good reason -- great shooter, very high quality, although the plastic gears on many are starting to show their age. I totally wore one out, love them for travel.

 

[spark]

I’ve wiped out a couple of them, not normally hard on cameras but these seem to be the exception. One of the great cameras for street photography.

 

[68degrees]

I hope mine keeps going for a time yet its the only one I have

 

[68degrees]

I’ve wiped out a couple of them, not normally hard on cameras but these seem to be the exception. One of the great cameras for street photography.

yes it is ideal for street photography isnt it. ver small and pocketable, nearly silent, aperture priority, and the cool factor is off the chain. Olympus XA. and its black and nearly invisible.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

I do!
I have one at hand in the car for random pics running (Ektar 100) and another in the studio/work area , even though my eyes are not as good focusing it as they were when I had my first XA in 1981 (pic). Historically I have had about five XA cameras over 38 years. The present pair have been with me since 2007.

The XA garnered an enduring fascination amongst my bicycle touring companions at the time. It was the smallest of the many cameras people were carrying. I still have the Kodachrome slides shot with the XA from that long ride.

I am also toting a Kodak 127 camera in this pic.

 

[mshchem]

I had one back in the day. Took great pictures. My shutter release acted up wouldn't release reliably. I would like to have another if I was sure it would keep working.

 

[spark]

I hope mine keeps going for a time yet its the only one I have

I've picked up the last three from thrift stores. They're usually pretty cheap and just need seals replaced. Always check the battery compartment for corrosion from leaky cells.

 

[baachitraka]

Its a very good camera. Silent shutter and a joy to use.

 

[macfred]

I have one XA - should use it more often. Great camera for a great price!
---

Two good reads about:

- XA The Original
http://www.diaxa.com/xa.htm

- Magnum photographer Erich Hartmann / Europe 1979 Train Journey Through France (photograhs exclusively with the XA):
https://pro.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&ALID=2K7O3R1VUF5N

 

[baachitraka]

Mine need new seals...Is there anyone who sells the pre-cut seals for XA?

 

[macfred]

Mine need new seals...Is there anyone who sells the pre-cut seals for XA?

Maybe the Olympus Doktor in HH can help : Frank Timmann OM-Doktor 22117 Hamburg Breedenweg 7d Tel 040 65045836

 

[spark]

Mine need new seals...Is there anyone who sells the pre-cut seals for XA?

seal kits for sale on ebay. Also, instructions and discussions online at https://www.flickr.com/groups/52897625@N00/discuss/164874/
Jon Goodman's kits and instructions are wonderful

 

[Vaidotas]

If you familiar with this camera and know what to expect it might be very good travel companion, especially for travelers on foot.
Very reliable, lightweight, very fast in operation.
All what you need - some experience, film and few spare batteries.
I've done four really long trips on foot (more than 1000 km each) with companion of XA, XA2, loaded with TX.
Pleasant results.
Outstanding lens, accurate metering.
And XA2 earned the same respect as XA to me.
Tried Minox ME at the same conditions ant it was dissapointment, maybe no luck.

 

[68degrees]

I have one XA - should use it more often. Great camera for a great price!
---

Two good reads about:

- XA The Original
http://www.diaxa.com/xa.htm

- Magnum photographer Erich Hartmann / Europe 1979 Train Journey Through France (photograhs exclusively with the XA):
https://pro.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&ALID=2K7O3R1VUF5N

hartmans photos are inspiring. thanks for that

 

[McFortner]

I've got two XAs (one in feet, the other in meters) and one XA2. Nice little cameras.

 

[68degrees]

Mines in me but works perfect. I wish it were in feet but Im grateful just to have a good copy.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

The XA is surprisingly good. I've found the rangefinder and auto exposure on mine to be accurate even in challenging lighting situations.

I've dropped mine twice on the carpet, but thankfully there were no bad effects - I've heard the camera (meters?) are fragile despite the excellent hard clamshell case.

The XA2 is good as well, but I've had my sharpest photos only with ISO 400+ films that will ensure a high shutter speed and smaller aperture.

 

[iandvaag]

Yup, the XA is a great camera, and so much fun to use. I've put in a light seal kit from eBay, goes together quick, and solved my problem. I eventually wore my first one out (the exposure went wacky). I haven't figured out how to fix it yet.

The XA is a fantastic take-anywhere camera. I just picked up a linked stereo pair of XAs on eBay that I'm planning to fix up and shoot with this summer. Yippee!

 

[blockend]

Nice little cameras. Plastic and over 30 years old, so buyer beware.

 

[antmar]

I have one XA and two XA2 that I use a lot. They are small, light and capable.
For a reason I prefer the simplicity of XA2 over the more advanced XA.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

XA are not lasting long if they are everyday, everywhere camera. Mine has VF meter gone fairly quick and after couple of years exposure meter quit.
Those are common on eBay and good source for viewfinder with frames.

But at least they last longer than Minox 35, those are next to single use cameras.

 

[Chan Tran]

I love the XA. It's not very durable. The feature set is great except for flash.