Olympus XA purchase advice

[mrjr]

I'd like some input on purchasing an XA with a dead meter needle.

I'm always watching for opportunities to purchase another XA. I gave away one of my two XAs as a gift, and I've been looking to replace it with an XA3 (or possibly a second XA, or if the price were right, an XA2).

I found one locally at a camera store—a rarity since my local used camera market is extremely lame—and immediately my mind started racing toward impulse-purchase-land. Luckily, I had the forethought to think to test it with batteries, and since I had my XA and XA4 with me, I had good batteries on hand.

Unfortunately, I found that the meter needle didn't respond to light like it should, but the shutter sounded vaguely right (fast and slow) when I shot the same scene and changed the ISO. I know XAs have two meter cells, and that the one that drives the meter needle often packs up first.

They're asking $75, but said they'd take 10% off (ha).

This long preface was probably unnecessary, but here's my question: since the rest of the camera appears to be in really good condition, would you go for it and not worry about the dead meter cell? Tell me what you think.

 

[darkosaric]

You can get cheaper in full working condition. Recently I sold one here for 25 euros (shipping included). When I find another one on flea market - I will put it on sale here...

 

[miha]

Hard to say, my own XA started to show the discrepancy between the two metering cells so I sent it for repair. The cost was similar to what your store wants for a broken one.

 

[mrjr]

Yes, the repair cost would make repair prohibitive. Were I to buy it, I would use it as a daylight camera, and not with slow speed films.

But I'm beginning to sour to the idea, favoring instead patience in waiting for a working one to come up for sale from a reputable dealer. Or a cheaper copy.

 

[trythis]

Repaired cameras often work perfectly until something else breaks, then again fully working cameras that you pay $50-$75 for can break just as easily. It's a crapshoot either way. Now does the repair cover replacing the light seals? How long is the warranty? Will they provide any replacement cost if the repair fails?


Typos made on a tiny phone...

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I have XA from Vancouver, some camera store. The VF meter worked for sometime and quit couple of months later.
XA was my true daily camera for two years and then main meter quit. I never feel any limitations for no exposure info in the meter and I used RF only few times instead of scale.
So, I purchased Minox 35 PL to replace XA.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Don't buy it - there's better to be had.

Last week I bought a perfect, near mint XA at the PSPCS swap meet in Washington for $60, working meter and shutter at all speeds.

 

[pdeeh]

Both of my XAs have been bought from this forum, from different members, but I didn't pay $75 in total for the two of them together ... and they're both in perfect working order in all respects.

I'd hang on and see what pops up here.

 

[Fixcinater]

OP, what is your location?

 

[mrjr]

Thanks for the input, all. I think I'll skip this one unless they'll give me a great deal when I go by to pick up my negatives tomorrow.

OP, what is your location?

I'm in TN, US.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

With a non-working meter needle I wouldn't take it for more than $10. As mentioned plenty to be had here in working order for less. I may even have an extra XA, I think I still have three even though I sold one recently here. And A11 flashes too (I'm keeping my A16). I have an XA2 as well. Not as keen on the XA2 and might part with it...

 

[summicron1]

fyi -- there are actually two independent meter circuits in the XA -- one works the needle, one works the shutter.

The shutter works even if the needle is dead. As long as the shutter sounds good, go take pictures.

But, yeah, $75 is high for one with issues.