Olympus XA - A pocketable & budget frienly Rangefinder!
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- čas přidán 20. 09. 2022
- The Olympus XA is a very polarized camera. On the one hand, an all plastic, dinky little thing with a bellow average lens. On the other hand it’s a real rangefinder, with an actual rangefinder focusing mechanism in a tiny package. Here are my thoughts on it.
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What do you think of this shorter format of camera reviews? As you probably have guessed by the images lately I have a kid now and therefor time is not easy to find. And even though I don’t have to go to work for several months (Sweden FTW!), making camera reviews is not easy to do in-between naps. So Im trying to make them kinda like my lens reviews. Short and to the point.
Good things, when short, are twice as good.
I absolutely love them!!! You are the reason I started photography and what ever content you put out, I seem to thoroughly enjoy it
As long as we get a new video once in a while, we all should be fine 😁👌🏻
I think short and to the point is fine. It makes sense in light of your major life changes. Oh yes - Still enjoying the pixii?
Rest up and make content whenever/however you feel like you want to! We'll enjoy your reviews however you deliver them ~
2:22 it's actually mostly metal covered in plastic. I know that because by holding it in my pockets often i managed to chip away some of the black coating on the body: beneath you can see the metal shine. Some parts are indeed plastic (like the top cover or rewind knobs and so on), but the body itself is quite sturdy. :P
Mattias...this post has nothing to do with the XA. I just saw on one of your older posts that your sweet and amazing dog passed away not long ago. I could find no other way to reach you to pass along my condolences. I have enjoyed your videos for several years and his appearances in your posts always made me smile. I recently lost my yellow lab, who was my constant companion for 10 years, so I know what you are feeling. Just wanted you to know that he will be missed by all of us who follow you. All the best and keep up the good work!
I have one of this and I always think that a digital version, either full frame or aps-c is my dream camera. But suddenly I get sad thinking that this will never be engineered ever again with the dominance of smartphone cameras. Love your videos!
I LOVE my XA. Insanely compact, clever solutions everywhere, good image, the hair trigger is amazing.
I've said for ages that Olympus (and now OM Digital) should do a digital version of it.
Yes please. The same lens with a full frame sensor, or M43 sensor with 5way IBIS.
A real gem of a camera, I used mine quite a bit! The focusing range is quite small so sometimes zone focusing is quicker or easier. The flash is really quirky, because its on the side, the shadows are more prominent!
Mattias, definitely your family is your priority, & a shoutout to the Swedes for recognizing the importance of family. 👍🏼 so, any lengths 📷review is a great treat from you 🤩, Mattias. Btw, Analog Insights did a wonderful tribute to Miatani San-the man who designed most of the iconic 📷s for Olympus, including the original XA film camera of yore. ✌🏼& 📸
I have an XA2 now. I always carry it with me; it fits in my pocket even with the flash on. So much fun to use!
Yay! Another Mattias Burling Video!! 💜💜
The XA is definitely near and dear to my heart! It was the first camera I ever used. My original copy stopped working years ago but managed to pick up a mint copy that I take out when I’m feeling a little nostalgic. It also took me a few years to appreciate the brilliance of the design. The other long standing effect it had on me is my ongoing preference for rangefinder cameras. I enjoy SLR and EVF cameras too but RF’s are always my first choice.
Bought one 15 years ago during the first great film rediscovery and it's still the only film camera I have. Great little workhorse.
Nice review. I would love to add this one to the collection. It is nice to see film cameras are still being used.
I’ve had one since the 80’s and I love it. It went with me everywhere in my shirt pocket loaded with Ilford xp film. I brought it out during the pandemic along with some other film cameras and started shooting film again. Unfortunately, my A-11 flash stopped working but luckily I found a full kit on eBay with display box and upgraded flash A-16 flash. It was also a lucky bargain at $53. Now I have a backup in case one gets damaged.
This video makes me want to dig in my Canon7 rangefinder again... but then the film cost is just ridiculous at this moment. Great video as always, love to see you posting more videos again.
Love my XA! One of the few cameras that can comfortably fit in your pocket. I use it for a daily walk around camera!
I have had mine since the early 90's I never use it anymore but will never give it up !
Got an XA for my wife back on the day. It's around the house SOMEWHERE. Great camera!
This is my fave camera. I like it so much, when I find them at stores, I buy them for friends :)
The lens on the older Olympus cameras are insanely good. I inherited an Olympus 35 RC and a plastic AF-1 point and shoot. Soooo good !
I've had mine for a month or so and I really quite enjoy it. Ok its not SLR quality but if I want good quality I would take my digital camera. I also recently purchased a Yashica Electro 35 (I have GAS) and although its early days I would say the image quality is just as good. The real plus is as you said its size & weight. For a bit of some 35mm film fun its hard to beat. And yes Short and to the Point is good. Keep it up!
I have a whole bunch compact film cameras (mostly Olympus cams). The ones I’ve had the highest percentage of “keepers” from are the XA and the MJUII, closely followed by the Fuji Tiara II.
In general though, proper pocket-sized film cams are great, whether you prefer more manual ones like the XA, or a nice point and shoot😊
Got mine last year! Its a great combo with GRIII
I got mine a week ago and it's a great camera. I think you can't emphasize enough how small it is and even then you're still surprised when you hold the XA in your hand. :D
All plastic is also not quite right the lid that closes the film camera is metal. Therefore, it feels even higher quality than a full plastic build.
On mine it’s just the pressure plate that’s metal, but it’s thinner than a soda can so no points awarded :)
Got mine like a month ago and am still surprised that it just fits in my backpocket.
Cool to see the XA here. I have an inherited one in great condition and put film in it some years ago, but can't seem to find enough commitment to really use it. I think it's the diffuse focus square that scares me away. I'm not used to classic rangefinders.
I like the lens quite a bit, it has a lot of character and has a really funky rendering
Cool I just bought an all-metal "FED-4" rangefinder for under 20 bucks on a flea market. ........... And yes, this "short format" comes quite handy. Hope you will find more time once your kid is older... We are eager to see some example photos.
Up goes the price 😂. Happy with your recommendation on 5D classic. Will stay with it.
after jumping to many pocket film cameras, I couldn't be happier with the Rollei 35, I don't mind that is only viewfinder since the focus system is easy to understand.
Came here for the XA (since i have an XA2) but came away with something else too! The camera on my shirt is a Yashica minister with the badges edited out. I've had it a year and just now figured it out.
Cool shirt!
Take a sip from your tea every time Mattias say small or compact 🍵
Ultimate Warrior scene 😂
You should review the Contax T!
I had a lot of fun with my XA-2 so I expect the XA to be great.
I have both. The XA2 is better for street photography as it is set for zone shooting.
Got a yashica, lovely camera. Shame film developing is so expensive at the moment!
The XA is brilliant, and also the last camera designed by Maitani, designer of the original Pen and the OM-1, some of the best cameras ever.
My question is: What is that little lego sitcom set?!
Seinfeld: czcams.com/video/Wa8C6ViNbbA/video.html
I got mine a couple of years ago. Unfortunately i never got warm with it as my rangefinder seems to be off because most wide aperture shots are out of focus
Hi Mattias! I am new to Leica. Could you please make a video on how you compose or frame your image using rangefinder? Much appreciated!
what samsung model is that in the intro? as faras the xa,i have anolympus 35rc that i love and thatsthe only thing that keeps me from buying an xa. greatvideo as usual!
Looks like a samsung ex2f!
As much as I love looking a film photos, I don't want to own a film camera. At least no time soon. But I like the content some people make about them.
Watching this from my Olympus XA with A11 flash 😎
I’ve got 3 of these in my dry cabinet. Should probably set them free.
The only range finder I have is this Voigtländer Vitorex too, but I don't trust it's focus parallax. It goes past infinity - and the film I loaded in 2020 is still only 8 or 9 exposures in.
I really like the Nikon S rangefinders; I have an SP with the 35, 50, and 85mm lenses. They're not exactly small, and the F line/Leica M3 kind of killed off the S cameras, but they're pretty fun (with the SP being solid feature wise). I have a fixed 50mm Minolta V3 that I love to shoot with too that's quite a bit faster (with limitations it can do 1/3000th whereas the S cameras top out at 1/1000).
That's about as far as I've gone into rangefinders, I love them and I love the body style for mirrorless cameras, but with photography just being a hobby I can't really justify the cost it would be to buy a digital one when I get perfectly fine photos out of the cameras I own. I'm tempted to sell off the collection I've gained (MFT and above, the Q, Nikon 1, and compact collection stays put regardless) using the same rule at Mattias with having 2 cameras at a time and who knows, I might splurge on whatever gives me a ~40mm lens fully functional and keep my OM1.2 and MFT kit for telephoto. Possibly a Pixii, I almost always use electronic shutter on all my cameras, and it seems to support 40 and 50mm.
Got the XA2 instead becasue prices have gone up. But Zone focus is good enough for me
I had this camera. It was fun, but I did find that the shutter button was super sensitive... so wasted quite a few frames by mistake. I got rid of it in the end because I just kept not developing film... and that is the same for all film cameras I have these days. I honestly wish there was a digital version of this... something very simple, manual focus, compact, 35mm F2.8. Closest we get these days is the Ricoh GR series and that is APS-C and has way too much tech....
My dad had one of these. I borrowed it often because I could could carry it in my pocket.
I have the XA1 😭 never could find this one on my treasure hunts
I saw this camera recently while looking for a cheap but good rangefinder. I ended up buying a Yashica Electro 35 GX in amazing condition (totally clear viewfinder!!) for $40 delivered.
Yup, still super easy to find for a couple of bucks.
@@mattiasburling The GX quite often sells for over $100 because it's the rarest and final iteration, I was just really happy to get one with a perfectly clear viewfinder and lens (not even a single bit of dust) . That's no small feat on these 40+ year old cameras!
I have one. It’s great for street photography because it has a silent electromagnetic shutter.
Sounds like a regular leaf shutter, they tend to be very quiet.
It's funny that they share the same name with Fujifilm's budget mirrorless line
This review strains credibility. Mattias excuses too many faults on the unrelated basis that the camera is small. There are many other things that are small that also don’t work well as a camera, but that just begs the question: if this is not a camera, then what exactly is it?
My favorite small camera, better quality than the Minox series. The coupled rangefinder is great and quality is as good as the Minox. A Leica CL is twice the size and not necessarily better.
the only thing i need in an XA is shutter speed adjustment
I use mine more than all my other film cameras
what samsung camera is at the beginning?
a rangefinder , seinfield lego set , and ultimate warrior figure ..👍👍👍
Lovely wee camera, can be operated one-handed if necessary.
Can you review olympus pen ep3? I think its really underrated.
I’ve already made videos about the Ep1 and Ep5. So I suspect it sits in the middle.
@@mattiasburling same sensor as the E-P1, but with much faster focusing and the addition of eye detection. I'd say it's much closer to the E-P1 than the E-P5.
what is the type of that samsung camera?
Bought an XA-2 new back in 1981. This was a much cheaper, zone focus, version of the XA, but was an excellent camera. The XA rangefinder was too expensive back in those days.
I’m struggling to get in focus images with mine… otherwise a great camera
What is the camera at 1:01?
Pixii
I had one 20 years ago and sold it. I regret that.
I love this camera as my "full frame" back up when I'm shooting digital. There's never an excuse not to have it with you. With glasses, it's a bit hard to see the framelines and shutter speed, and the shutter release is VERY touchy, but for what it is there is nothing that matches it. Now, my secret little gem that nobody really knows about is the Yashica Electro 35 CCN. Smaller than a regular Electro and most other fixed lens rangefinders, and probably the only one with a 35mm f/1.8 lens. Only downside is that it only has a top shutter speed of 1/125, but put a variable ND on it and you are good to go.
If only they were Digital 😊
det finns ett "hack" för att få en tydligare focus patch i mörka förhållanden, man sätter en liten fyrkantig, svart tejpbit framme på viewfindern, det finns tutorials på yt :)
Good to see that you are making video about affordable stuff again, not just about the Pixi and Voigtlander glass......
I haven’t done more videos about the Pixii than any other brand..
I was shooting with Nikon F2A + motor drive & Hasselblad 500 C/M at the time it is released. I bought one out of curiosity and sold it a few months later since I don't like it.
Working in jessops camera shop during the 90s these cameras were always coming in with electrical faults. I would go near one today.
Not all plastic! But yeah the clamshell definitely is. Love the XA, used to keep it loaded with HP5 and thanks to the super light shutter release could handhold with maybe a little elbow support down to 1/8. The XA4 is more rare and sought after than the others in the series due to its close focusing 28mm lens. Such a wide lens is easily zone focused (like a Ricoh GR) so the missing rangefinder isn't such an issue. Would keep mine loaded with color reversal film to complement my XA.
Love the images coming out of the XA. The fringing might be due to the lens being dirty/foggy on the inside.
1000 times better than Bushnell
Sorry Mattias....I meant to say "she" will be missed by all. My apologies.
I will never sell my XA.
That said, I will never sell my Ricoh XR7 or my Olympus Infinity II either.
not being picky, but the back door is metal. :D Lovely camera and review regardless.
Bye bye the "low" prices....
Heads up! Matthias, all your commenters below are getting spammed by a fake account claiming they have won prizes.