Purchase help!

[Markok765]

I just got a flyer from KEH, and there is a Olympus XA for $72!
Now, I am debating whether to get the XA or a EL-Nikkor enlarger lens(my current lens is a Beselar, which is not as good as the EL-Nikkor.

The reason for this: I already have a Stylus epic, which is pretty much the auto version of the XA.

What is your opinion?

 

[nickandre]

I would get the enlarger lens. Why would you want two of the same camera?

 

[Markok765]

The XA is quieter, and has manual control. I think the enlarger lens would benefit my photo quality more.

 

[Richard Wasserman]

I'd go with the enlarger lens-as you said it should improve your print quality. It's all too easy to fall into the trap of too many cameras.

Richard Wasserman

 

[Anscojohn]

It's all too easy to fall into the trap of too many cameras.

******
Never, never, never.:rolleyes:

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

Blow enlarger lenses!
Gun for the XA. The optic is superb for this impressive camera of a distant era.
But then I also agree with Anscojohn. Unless, of course, you're starting a collection...

 

[kiku]

I just got a flyer from KEH, and there is a Olympus XA for $72!
Now, I am debating whether to get the XA or a EL-Nikkor enlarger lens(my current lens is a Beselar, which is not as good as the EL-Nikkor.

The reason for this: I already have a Stylus epic, which is pretty much the auto version of the XA.

What is your opinion?

I think you would do better with a Yashica TLR! Kiku

 

[firecracker]

Save the money and try something else in the future. Unless you're a camera collector, it's not really a good idea to keep buying different cameras at this point. Rather spend the money for a backup of your favorite one or for the repair when needed.

 

[Steve Smith]

It's all too easy to fall into the trap of too many cameras.

It was a trap?





Steve.

 

[mjs]

Go for the SA. Years ago my first "student" enlarger came with a 50mm Beselar lens and a year or two later I bought an El-Nikor 50mm lens, thinking that I'd notice the difference.

I didn't. Not to say that you won't, but at 8"x10" enlargements from 35mm, I couldn't see any difference at all.

Mike

 

[jmal]

FWIW, I bought a 75mm El-Nikkor to replace a Besler. I made test prints on 11x14 paper from a 645 negative with both lenses stopped down to f8. I let the prints dry and went to inspect them, excited to see how much better my new lens was. To my surprise the Besler was not only sharper to the corners, but also had better tonal range. Go figure. After as few more tests at different apertures, I returned the Nikkor.

 

[cooltouch]

About five years ago, I sold a mint 50mm EL Nikkor on eBay, and was disappointed because it went for very cheap. About a year ago, I picked up an Oly XA with flash at a yard sale for $5. The flash didn't work, but the XA works just fine. I knew about the collectible status of the XA and was again rather disappointed to find that they sold on eBay often for very little. If you go to eBay, do a search on "olympus xa" and then click on "completed listings," you'll see what I'm talking about. What I'm getting at is chances are good you will be able to afford both the XA and the enlarging lens without overtaxing your budget.

Best,

Michael