XA Lens Quality?

[raytoei@gmail.com]

I want to show 2 photos taken on the XA this past week.

This shows the effect of EV +1.5 and off.






Lens Flare is quite apparent when shooting against the light and wide-open, here is another shot, at f2.8



Film is TMAX 400, exposure index is 800. developed in HC-110 dilution H for about 6mins at 31C (Tap water).

cheers!

[tedwhite]

I am continually impressed by the quality of the photos that you, raytoei, and others are posting. It's amazing what can be gotten from that tiny camera that's probably going on 30-40 years of age.

[Bingley]

Here's a recent one at f.4, taken w/ Fuji Pro800Z:

[abumac]

I've got mine yesterday. And I guess I'll like it. Here some pics from my first color-roll. This weekend I will put some b/w in it.

[MIkhail]

Originally Posted by KenD

On mine the lens is a lot sharper than the focusing capacity of the dim rangefinder patch )

KenD

Take a look here:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-165.html

[mackigator]

@raytoei My XA's don't show that type of "smearing" lens flare wide open. The lens has weaknesses, including at f2.8, I'm just pointing out that you might check for oil or a grease smear on either side of your lens, etc, or test another copy of the XA.

[lxmike]

Ireally like the XA, but the viewfinder is really poor, loads of flare, if the light is anywhere near the viewfinder its difficult to read the meter readout. However, stick it on a tripod and it is great for night shots

[TheHub]

Originally Posted by lxmike

... if the light is anywhere near the viewfinder its difficult to read the meter readout. ...

In most of the XAs I've encountered, the VF meters have been wrong or dead. They're about 30 years old!

I use my XA just as a pocket camera on the way to work and back, or when I don't want to carry around anything bigger. My only complaint is the advance wheel, which makes too much noise for my liking (I stick it in my pocket when advancing to muffle it.) The lens has always been sharp enough

[Gabriel M.A.]

XA Lens Quality?

Yes, there is XA lens quality.

[artscar2]

My very first camera ever, given to me for Christmas by my OM-loving photographer father. I learned everything with this little gem. Exposure, focusing, composition etc. All my friends were into the P&S 126 film Kodaks and such. It became second nature to use the little RF patch and such. But now it is more work than I remember because I have been SLR'd.

I took it elkhunting in the snow and got a picture of my best friends first elk that I brought to the "real camera store" to get enlarged in 1989. I remember coming to pick up the print (16x20 i think) and the counter guy pulls it out to show me and asks "exactly what camera did you use to take this?" I told him and he nodded in acknowledgement. He said "That's a very sharp photo." Made my day for a lomg time.

I still have that camera and I pick up any I see in thrift stores, garage sales etc. I own 3 xa, and a xa2 that I keep in my tool bag on my motorcycle. Just a great little camera, thats all. And it doesn't eat batteries.

[Lawrence A.]

The one I bought is in the mail. I hope the lens is good. I got it because I need a 35mm rangefinder lens and can't afford a decent LTM right now. Besides, it looks like fun..

[Bingley]

It's a lot of fun!


Birds in Paradise by bingley0522, on Flickr

[Lawrence A.]

You're right. Its a blast!.

[Bill58]

Great lens/ size, but electronics are prone to failure. I spent a fortune on mine over 7 years and it just died forever. R.I.P

I'll not buy another.

[Bingley]

Bill, I was concerned about that issue, too, and bought a second XA body in classifieds a couple of years ago. Such a nice little camera...it's nice to have two of them!

[wakarimasen]

I sent mine for a repair some weeks ago as the shutter wouldn't fire. It's been fixed, serviced and the meter recalibrated and is now ready for collection.

I've got to admit I'm looking forward to collecting it!

[David Hughes]

Olympus XA; 1/6oth second at f/4 and taken a couple of weeks ago as a sample of what it will do.



Regards, David

[Bingley]

Beautiful, David.^^^

[Bingley]

Plus-X at 320 in Diafine:



Untitled by bingley0522, on Flickr

[David Hughes]

Originally Posted by Bingley

Beautiful, David.^^^

Hi,

Cor! TYVM.


Regards, David

[Lawrence A.]

Originally Posted by Bill58

Great lens/ size, but electronics are prone to failure. I spent a fortune on mine over 7 years and it just died forever. R.I.P

I'll not buy another.

I now have two, and will try to keep one working. But the electronics is the reason most of my older cameras are mechanical -- the OM1, rather than the OM2, etc. I had nothing but electric problems with my many OM-2 cameras, and finally gave up. But so far I'm loving this little XA (both of them). I always keep a camera on me, and sometimes this pocketable film camera (yes the lens is sharp) is just what the doctor ordered.

[oftheherd]

Originally Posted by Bingley

It's a lot of fun!


Birds in Paradise by bingley0522, on Flickr

What a nice photo!

I have an XA and for the about 4 years I have had it, it has worked fine. One does have to take care where you put your eye, but the viewfinder and rangefinder are good if one dies. I know that isn't the case for many, but it is for me. I like it.

I also have two different flashes for it (there were 3 that I know of). I repaired a minor problem for a friend of mine on one he got from a thrift shop. I had no front clam shell, so would not work. I had to acquire a parts camera and so fixed it.

[Bingley]

Thank you! I keep being pleasantly surprised by what it can do.


Davis Arboretum by bingley0522, on Flickr

[BardParker]

Lovely images, Steve!

Is your Davis Arboretum photo shot on Plus-X?

Regards,

Kent

[Bingley]

Thank you, Kent. Yes it is, exposed at 320 and developed in Diafine.