Anybody like Olympus XA's?

[Jon Buffington]

The xa is a fantastic camera. Even better is the xa4, 28/3.5 with a pseudo macro mode and I find the lens even sharper on this one. Both though are great and great travel cameras. I think I need to load them with film and go shoot some frames. If anyone is interested in the xa4, I did a little write up on it a few years ago iwth my impressions, http://jpbuffington.com/?p=143

 

[tessar]

Great travel camera but a little fragile. Even though I didn't remember banging it around, the rangefinder packed it in halfway through one distant trip. I made do with hyperfocal focusing, worked OK with the 35mm lens. I got the rangefinder fixed when parts/repairpeople were still around, camera still working OK.

 

[Chan Tran]

My first XA bought new (actually a demo in 79) and I had no problem with it until I sold it in 84. The one problem I had was that I tend to take picture of my finger. The 35mm lens some how exhibit quite a bit of wide angle distortion. I bought several used from Ebay and Craiglist and only one that would work good although the meter indication in the viewfinder is different from that of the actual exposure. Others have bad meter indication in viewfinder that is they don't work but the camera expose the film just fine and the viewfinder RF patch has faded badly and makes very difficult to focus.

 

[68degrees]

I guess its days are numbered. and I shouldnt get too attached to it.

 

[Black Dog]

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

Thanks for posting that Macfred. My XA2 is great...I've stood just a few feet away from people in Edinburgh city centre taking pictures on mine and nobody noticed -mind you in at least one case they were so glued to their phones , I could have set up an 8x10 right next to them and they STILL wouldn't have noticed me. Anyone in the Postcard Exchange who got a picture of Rosslyn Chapel from me, these were done on an XA2 and Superia 400.

 

[68degrees]

when is xa preferred over xa2 and vice versa?

 

[bvy]

I have one. Got it free on Craigslist years ago. I find it a little cumbersome with the flash, the rangefinder(ish) focusing never felt right, and I feel like the pictures are a little soft. I can't bring myself to part with it though.

 

[bvy]

when is xa preferred over xa2 and vice versa?

XA allows you to choose aperture and has rangefinder like focusing. XA2 is auto exposure and zone focusing.

 

[68degrees]

cant you zone focus with the XA also? Does the XA2 just always try to get the highest shutter speed? I have both and Im trying to visualize what situations would be better withe the XA2 vs the XA.

 

[bvy]

cant you zone focus with the XA also? Does the XA2 just always try to get the highest shutter speed? I have both and Im trying to visualize what situations would be better withe the XA2 vs the XA.

You certainly can zone focus with the XA -- it has a dial indicating feet or meters. The XA2, as I recall, only gives you three zones: headhshot, group and landscape. Also, yes, I think the XA2 will opt for a fast shutter speed and throw open the aperture to get enough light. What's nice about the XA is you can opt for a small aperture and the shutter will stay open for up to (at least) eight seconds -- great for long exposures at night if that's your thing. So the XA just gives you a little more control over focusing and exposure. The XA2 is more of a point and shoot.

 

[dxqcanada]

Olympus XA by Dennis, on Flickr

 

[miha]

Great little camera, quite sturdy, far from fragile IMO, sharp lens, too.

Berlin in its renovation years, Potsdamer Platz, 1999, OLYMPUS XA, Multigrade FB, 12x16'' print:

 

[crumbo]

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.

Selftimer only is an IC fault. Sorry, no fix without replacement circuitboard or identical IC from donor camera.

 

[crumbo]

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.

Oh, yeah -- take-up gear. I think you mean sprocket. The screw is a reverse thread, and sometimes works loose. It's really difficult to tighten, but can be done. If it's missing, once again, only a donor body will do.

 

[crumbo]

Maitani (Olympus' designer) said they had cameras that would take photos from "bacteria to outer space" -- but not that you could carry where ever you went. So he tasked his design team to make a camera like the XA! Light, pocket sized, built in dust cover/lens cap, auto exposure, everything needed to shoot anywhere you went!

 

[crumbo]

when is xa preferred over xa2 and vice versa?

Depends. When skiing, I always took my XA2 -- easy to operate even with gloves on! The XA was much more precise and controllable.
When the XA3 came out, with DX film coding, it became my "go to" for happy snaps. And the macro-lens of the XA4 was great.

 

[Lanline]

Oh, yeah -- take-up gear. I think you mean sprocket. The screw is a reverse thread, and sometimes works loose. It's really difficult to tighten, but can be done. If it's missing, once again, only a donor body will do.

I dug out my XA and I was able to tighten the screw using your tip about reverse thread. Then when I confirmed it was working as it should, I placed one small drop of clear nail polish on top of the screw head to lock it in place. Installed batteries and taking it out today to test it. Thanks again for the tip!

 

[darinwc]

trying to share an image from my xa4
https://flic.kr/p/2fQAZFG

 

[macfred]

trying to share an image from my xa4

Here we go ...

Olympus XA4 samples by Matte Black Photo, on Flickr

 

[cooltouch]

To answer the OP's original question, yes, I like my XA very much. Hard to beat considering its compactness and functionality.

 

[Black Dog]

Last week , I was waiting for a train to Edinburgh when I realised I'd put my Rolleicord in a bag other than the one I'd picked up...no time to walk home and get it, but luckily I had my XA2 with me and put it to good use on a lovely sunny day (some dramatic lighting conditions in the Old Town). XAs are just so pocketable. I can't see myself stopping at owning just the one!

 

[darinwc]

Here we go ...

Olympus XA4 samples by Matte Black Photo, on Flickr

Thanks! What is the secret to get them to post in line?

 

[macfred]

Thanks! What is the secret to get them to post in line?

On the right of your photograph on flickr there are three symbols (editing, sharing and downloading) - choose the one in the middle (sharing), copy the BBcode for medium size (800px) and and add it to your posting.

 

[ronwhit]

I have a very nice one with A11 flash posted in the Classifieds. A great back-up/travel camera.
ronwhit

 

[laser]

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