Looking for an Olympus XA2 alternative

[Joseph Bell]

Hello, fine people!

I have been using the Olympus XA2 as a "second camera" for night photography, and while I enjoy many things about it, I have been frustrated by its maximum shutter speed of 2 seconds. I wonder if anyone can suggest an alternative. I understand the XA has a maximum shutter speed of 10 seconds, but I owned one for a little while, and found the rangefinder too difficult to focus. I wonder if anyone can recommend a camera that has these features:

- very small/lightweight

- prime lens

- self-timer

- maximum shutter speed of 30 seconds or more


I understand I can accomplish all these things and more with my Nikon FE, but I am seeking something smaller and lighter for this particular project.

Sincere thanks for your help, I certainly appreciate it.

Warm regards,
Joseph

 

[Donald Qualls]

Super Jubilette, Super Baldinette, Weltini, etc. and a stopwatch?

 

[Craig75]

Nikon 28ti can do very long expsoures i think?

 

[Disappointed_Horse]

The Olympus 35RC has a bulb mode, and is a great little camera.

 

[Huss]

RICOH FF1-S

 

[Joseph Bell]

The Olympus 35RC has a bulb mode, and is a great little camera.

Indeed it is! I have one but its shutter sticks and needs a CLA. Good idea!

 

[Joseph Bell]

Nikon 28ti can do very long expsoures i think?

yes! The 35ti also. I've wanted one for years but always made excuses: it's too expensive, I do not trust these ebay sellers, the likelihood of sudden failure and irreparability. I should stop making excuses and live a little maybe! Thank you for the suggestion. The 35ti seems to be considerably less expensive than the 28ti.

 

[Joseph Bell]

Super Jubilette, Super Baldinette, Weltini, etc. and a stopwatch?

maybe!!! Thank you!

 

[Craig75]

nikon must do a small plastic camera you could put a 45mm pancake on

 

[mawz]

nikon must do a small plastic camera you could put a 45mm pancake on

They did a bunch.

EM, FG, FG20, FE10 & FM10
The challenge is the long shutter speeds, which the small bodies tend not to feature. If you're good doing your own timing for long exposures, an EM in bulb mode will work all day long.

 

[darinwc]

Rollei 35
Olympus rc
Or try the xa again.. just use zone focus and set the distance to 8 feet

 

[neilt3]

Indeed it is! I have one but its shutter sticks and needs a CLA. Good idea!

It seems to me the simple answer is to send it off for a service and have a camera that will be reliable for years to come .
What you get back will be good as new .

Rather than buy another thirty or forty year old camera that likely as not might be getting ready for a CLA as well .


As a "pocket " camera that does more than my Olympus Trip I sometimes carry a Pentax ME Super with a 45mm pancake on it .
Very compact that fits in a pocket ( I assume this is something you want ?) Easy to focus with a bright viewfinder , and full manual control including bulb .

All the firm's did a compact SLR , I'm not sure if Nikon did such a compact lens as Pentax's , but it would be worth you checking as you already have Nikon gear .

 

[Joseph Bell]

Rollei 35
Olympus rc
Or try the xa again.. just use zone focus and set the distance to 8 feet

That's a good idea, thank you!

 

[Joseph Bell]

It seems to me the simple answer is to send it off for a service and have a camera that will be reliable for years to come .
What you get back will be good as new .

Rather than buy another thirty or forty year old camera that likely as not might be getting ready for a CLA as well .


As a "pocket " camera that does more than my Olympus Trip I sometimes carry a Pentax ME Super with a 45mm pancake on it .
Very compact that fits in a pocket ( I assume this is something you want ?) Easy to focus with a bright viewfinder , and full manual control including bulb .

All the firm's did a compact SLR , I'm not sure if Nikon did such a compact lens as Pentax's , but it would be worth you checking as you already have Nikon gear .

many thanks, I appreciate it!