OK so I lost my XA So now what?

ajuk · Sep 23, 2005

I bought an Olympus XA-2 as a go anywere Camera that I could take to work ETC, But After one roll of film I lost it.

I do want another one because the quality was amazing, I don't want to get into the SLR debate, but it when it come to tiny little compacts Film cameras chuck there digital couterparts on the flore and Kick the Crap out of them for quility (and yes I have seen the F10) Things arn't going to get any better untill the sensors get bigger, more likely to get worse because of the amout of pixels they shove in them.

OK So the origionaly XA is expensive, what about a more modern offering whats the mju-1 like is the lens better than that of the classics? I can get the mju-1 for £15. Does anyone have any other Sugestions?

gnashings · Sep 24, 2005

Cant think of a better camera than a QL17 - reliable,tiny, great lens, easy to load quickly - and even capable of auto exposure. Did I say tiny?
But, it may not be up your alley.

clogz · Sep 24, 2005

Sorry about the loss of your camera. To cheer you up a bit: some months ago I purchased an XA with flashgun and leather bag for 40.-

Interesting link: www.diaxa.com

Charles Webb · Sep 24, 2005

I have an XA question, do all of the XA's vignette the frame corners?
I love the results with mine, but cannot print the full frame because of the fall off. Just wondering if mine is one of a kind, as it is one of the first ones when they became available?

clogz · Sep 24, 2005

Hello Charles,
Never noticed any fall-off with my XA. What did happen, more often than I would like to admit, was that because of the small size of the camera I inadvertently covered part of the lens with my finger when taking a snappy.

Regards
Hans

Trivette · Sep 24, 2005

Charles Webb said:
I have an XA question, do all of the XA's vignette the frame corners?

I often got some corner light falloff with my XA, especially with clear blue skies, which makes it very noticeable.

Richard

waynecrider · Sep 24, 2005

I sold my XA years ago after looking long and hard at the output it produced and wound up afterwards buying a Minox 35mm GTE. The lens is unbelieveable, better then my old XA, but the camera has guess focusing so your usually working with the hyperfocal method.

Trivette · Sep 25, 2005

ajuk said:
Does anyone have any other Sugestions?

Yashica T4 Super (T5 on the other side of the pond). Zeiss lens. There's a little light falloff at the corners, but the sublime sharpness and contrast (much better than the XA) makes up for it. Fairly inexpensive, but only available used, as there was a contract dispute between Yashica and Zeiss over the use of the lens.

Richard

Whiteymorange · Sep 25, 2005

Another vote for the T4. Waist level finder and "waterproof" too (I think they mean puddle-resistant.) No controls, but then, it's better than I am at this point, so I don't complain much. Always makes me want to get better at using my MF and LF cameras - so that I can match the quality of negative that I get with that little point and shoot sucker!

abeku · Sep 26, 2005

I had (still have) a Oly mju-II, great optics and everything but the winder and autofocus mechanism was too noisy for me. Even worse: You need to turn OFF the flash everytime you open the lid. That's why I started to look at pre-autofocus age compact cameras. At cameraquest.com you have a good description of the cameras that had something to offer at that time (and today). I also have a XA, although the lens is not that great at f2.8 it does a good job at f8. That camera is always in my pocket - it's a lifestyle.

Baxter Bradford · Sep 26, 2005

Buying a Contax T2 was a revelation that led to me selling my Nikon gear. Admittedly the T2 is heavier and bigger than the XA. Prices of all quality film compact cameras are especially low at present.

Agree the T4/5 are good lenses and cameras, but would also add the Ricoh GR1 or GR10 as worthy of consideration, excellent lens and light through use of magnesium I believe. The lenses are a little wider though.

vet173 · Oct 8, 2005

I would add to the list the rollie 35s.

Kevin Roach · Oct 8, 2005

How about the other olympis offerings? The RC, RD, nice little cameras with lenses equal or better than the XA. of course you lose that cool clam shell design.

firecracker · Oct 9, 2005

contax t3

I would say Contax T3, which is robust. It produces an SLR camera quality, so it can be used for all kinds of purpose. I've used for about four years and always been amazed by it. The price may be too high to consider buying it right away, but believe me it is a real tool that you can rely on especially when you're travelling abroad and don't want to be noticed as a photographer.

The 35mm lens is F 2.8, and the shutter speed goes up to 1/1000 of a second. It has an EV setting also among other features.

If you want something smaller than that, you have to search for the latest models of digital P&S cameras, which I know nothing about.

firecracker · Oct 9, 2005

more on the camera suggestion

I used to have an Olympus Stylus a.k.a. "Mju" before. It was the 35mm fixed lens type, which I loved especially when taking color photos because the lens was nice and soft. But one day, I dropped it on concrete, and that was the end of the plastic-coated camera. It popped and the lens got stuck.

That doesn't mean the titan-coated T3 can survive in such an accident. But it certainly has survived in hard use.

Also, I've read some reviews on T3, and I'm certain it has weakness. One of the things that seems common but I have not really thought as an issue is the camera's exposure reading, which produces underexposed pictures. However, the way I expect this small compact camera is to allow me to photograph in moments where I normally wouldn't otherwise. And this camera becomes more like my right hand and responds relatively well to that. So, the exposure issue for me is secondary unless it's severe. I think that can be said about a lot of P&S cameras in general.

ajuk · Mar 7, 2006

I have snice bought another XA2 a Stylus a Stylus Epic.

The Stylus was cheap and clicks alot so all it does is sit around the house with a roll of film in it, not good for regular use. I was thinking of getting anouther Stylus Epic body so I have somthing to put fast B&W film into, buit I can't bring myself to buy another Epic, What I really want is a camera with more controls, can any one think of a modern camera that has that?

OK so I lost my XA So now what?

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