12 July, 2026
5 frames with an Olympus XA
Although I have been back into film photography for a year or so, I only recently became aware of the Olympus XA rangefinder camera. Introduced in 1979, with production ceasing ...
Search results for 'olympus xa'
26 June, 2026
Phil Maxwell, the Olympus XA2, and the Street as Theatre
I have known Phil Maxwell for about sixteen years. For a period, we both had studios in Spitalfields, in that strange zone where the East End was still recognisably itself but w...
3 November, 2025
Olympus XA2 and Cosina CX-2 – In the Zone
Miniature cameras have long been a ‘thing’ in photography. The original Leica was designed as a miniature camera, using a comparatively small cinema stock. Subminature formats w...
16 June, 2025
Olympus XA1 – One roll mini-review
I have enjoyed owning and using various Olympus XA cameras for a while, but I had skipped over the XA1 with its fixed focus and protruding shutter button. I wondered why would t...
26 December, 2024
Olympus XA-2 – An old friend
Years ago (40 years) I moved to the east coast for a couple years. I was loaned a small compact camera. I decided to carry it instead of my heavy bulky Minolta. At first glance ...
7 November, 2024
People’s Park Chengdu with an Olympus XA3 and expired Rollei RPX 400
I’m lucky enough to be able to spend a couple of months in Chengdu, China each year as part of my job and usually stay in the central part of town. I take a different film camer...
18 July, 2024
Visiting Algeria with My Olympus XA
I took a trip back to Algeria to see my grandfather. Packed my faithful Olympus XA. I needed a camera I could easily hide for some street shots. Wikipedia moment: Algeria, the b...
There seems to be a lot of love for the Olympus XA (and its sequels) on this site. I’m not here to add to that. Sure, it’s a fine camera with a lens that is very sh...