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Seeking a replacement for the Olympus XA2

Joseph Bell

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Mar 20, 2019
Messages
275
Location
Toronto
Format
35mm
Hello!

My cherished Olympus XA2 is becoming erratic, and I would like to replace it with something else. I was wondering if anyone can recommend a suitable replacement. I would love to find a camera with these characteristics:

- very small and lightweight
- zone focus (or AF so long as it has an infinity lock)
- sharp and contrasty prime lens
- auto exposure including the capability for multi-second exposures
- self-timer
- ability to set ISO manually
- tripod socket
- less than $500

If you're thinking: "just buy another XA2", I understand completely, but this is my second example, and both of them have gone kaput in less than two years! I will be delighted to receive your every recommendation, please don't be shy! Sincere thanks for sharing your time and erudition.
 
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250swb said:
A camera that ticks all those boxes is the Olympus RC35, and it can be used in full manual mode if the battery fails but it's not very very small, just 'smallish'.
Click to expand...

It's not exactly lightweight either. Sure, it's lighter than its peers, but it weighs twice as much as XA2.

Cameras of XA series are hard to beat really. If only their electroncs weren't nearing their end.
 
As an owner of several Minox 35 cameras, they should be stricken from the list because they are extremely unreliable.
A small but certainly not a lightweight nor automatic is a dependable Rolle 35. Just make sure it has the Rollei 35 wrist strap.
 
I have had a similar experience with a succession of my favorite Olympus, the Stylus Epic. I've owned several but the auto focus always fails. These plastic cameras simply weren't designed to last 30+ years.
 
M-88 said:
It's not exactly lightweight either. Sure, it's lighter than its peers, but it weighs twice as much as XA2.

Cameras of XA series are hard to beat really. If only their electroncs weren't nearing their end.
Click to expand...

Indeed! I may just end up replacing the XA2 with another XA2 or else the XA4, which I only just learned about - the 28mm lens is particularly appealing. These cameras are always a gamble, but when they work, they're great!
 
takilmaboxer said:
I have had a similar experience with a succession of my favorite Olympus, the Stylus Epic. I've owned several but the auto focus always fails. These plastic cameras simply weren't designed to last 30+ years.
Click to expand...

It's true! Also, I just learned that only the XA has a maximum shutter speed of 10 seconds - very useful for nighttime pictures, but there is that fiddly little rangefinder to deal with!
 
And in terms of reliability, I just live with the reality that these little electronic wonders will all fail at a certain point. If I like a certain camera, I just get another one as backup. My Minox 35 GL did fail, but then I have the 35 GT.

The Clamshell design of Olympus XA series and LC-A have no moving part that is electronically connected, compared to other "barn-door" type compacts (Minox 35, Bellami, Ricoh FF-1S). And those AF compacts, oh my, the ribbon cable almost always fails within 2 days of my purchase.
 
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Thank you! Your philosophy is comforting, and I agree, and I will keep my eyes open for another XA-series camera and hope for the best!
 
 
I keep my XA loaded with film and carry it constantly. Don't mind the "fiddly" rangefinder at all. I had an XA-2 and shot one roll through it and it quit after that. I've an Olympus RC35 and it's a great little camera, but I've large hands and have problems with the rangefinder adjustment being on that tiny lens barrel and hard for me to move. I also have a couple of Konica C35's; the C35 and C35 EF.;They're slightly larger/heavier, but we're not talking major ounces here. The one I'm waiting to see reviews on is MiNT's Rollei35AF which should reach the market this year. It won't be cheap, but then neither are used Rollei 35's. In the meantime the XA just keeps chugging along producing quality photos.
 
M-88 said:
Cameras of XA series are hard to beat really. If only their electroncs weren't nearing their end.
Click to expand...

That would be true except as typical of the internet the only people reporting problems are those that have had problems. What about all those that are ok with their XA2 who aren't likely to be starting posts with 'yeah, still fine, no problems'. So for balance and perspective I've had my XA2 from new in I think 1982, and honestly it keeps on letting me down because every three or four years I have to put a new battery in it. That's not to say it couldn't fail tomorrow, but compared with the few people reporting a problem it doesn't mean the percentage of camera forum posts translates into a true figure of reliability across the board.
 
I tried the Xa and XA2 but those lenses are vignetting, Maybe people like that.
 
Given that you like your XA, and they are easy to get, why change horses. But, if you insist, there are a ton of "ponies" to choose from -- even if we exclude half-frame cameras (many of which were made by Olympus).

Here is a long, but incomplete, list of the many, very small, full-frame, 35mm cameras. It also includes some small APS film cameras -- but you can ignore them. As you can see, you need to do some research:

http://www.subclub.org/shop/aps.htm
 
I just picked up a Voigtlander Vito C with VCS18 which hasn't arrived yet. It's the same size as the XA2. Made by Balda and does more often appear under that name.

Might be worth a look.



 
Sincere thanks to all! I am very grateful for your ideas, opinions, and suggestions. I've decided to roll the proverbial dice on another XA or XA2 and hope for the best!
 
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