Since getting back film photography over the last two years or so, like many others, I seem to have accumulated a number of different cameras. Some of which the first time round I would never have considered. One of those cameras is the much praised but diminutive Olympus XA.
In my first film photography life, I could not wait to get away from a compact camera. The SLR was the pinnacle of my equipment desires, and for me, the Pentax K1000 was that.
But since re-discovering film with a storage box found Olympus Trip 35 belonging to my wife from I-don’t-know-how-many years ago, the compact scale focus and rangefinder camera has found a place in my heart.
Fast forward to just a few months ago, and now I actively look out for old cameras that pique my interest. A local antiques centre to me does house clearance and sometimes interesting camera gear pops up in there. On the day I went into the shop for a rummage through the box I came upon this little gem. Complete with the original box, the detachable A11 flash unit, a case and even film left in it.
Having read on this very site a couple of XA articles, I knew that this was a camera of some reputation, with its tiny dimensions, cute clamshell case and tack sharp 35mm f2.8 Zuiko lens. The controls are a little fiddly for my larger hands, especially the focus lever, but not enough to cause a major problem. The viewfinder is small but bright enough. The big red shutter button being electronic is also a little sensitive. A quick check over as the batteries were still good, it all seemed to work.
I finished off the roll of Kodak film that was in it, it was so old that everything was massively under exposed. But having a roll of Ilford HP5+ in stock and a trip into London for my day job to do, I thought it would be an ideal opportunity to give the little Olympus XA a proper test drive.
I think for me street photography is where this little camera excels. Small, black, discreet and almost silent when shooting (not the wind on though, that clicks like a tiny football rattle). If you use zone focus it become a cracking little point and shoot. I love it.
Below are a selection from that first roll of the found film and HP5+, let me know what you think.
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Chris Pattison on 5 Frames With an Olympus XA – By Julian Higgs
Comment posted: 05/05/2019
Comment posted: 05/05/2019
Steve Scarlett on 5 Frames With an Olympus XA – By Julian Higgs
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Tiffany Perez on 5 Frames With an Olympus XA – By Julian Higgs
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Daniel Castelli on 5 Frames With an Olympus XA – By Julian Higgs
Comment posted: 05/05/2019
I bought it when it was new, and held onto it now for decades.
Nice examples showing the capabilities of the XA. My favorite is also the reflection pic.
Dan
Comment posted: 05/05/2019
lắp đặt camera việt trì on 5 Frames With an Olympus XA – By Julian Higgs
Comment posted: 06/05/2019
aspiring writers? I'm planning to start my own website soon but I'm a little lost on everything.
Would you recommend starting with a free platform like
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Comment posted: 06/05/2019
Eric Manten on 5 Frames With an Olympus XA – By Julian Higgs
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Rasmus on 5 Frames With an Olympus XA – By Julian Higgs
Comment posted: 09/05/2019
Comment posted: 09/05/2019
A Quest For an Ideal Compact Film SLR - Part 1: The Pentax MV-1 & 40mm f/2.8 - by Ed Lara - 35mmc on 5 Frames With an Olympus XA – By Julian Higgs
Comment posted: 22/11/2019