Blog #3: The XA 2
Years ago (40 years) I moved to the east coast for a couple years. I took a small compact camera with me. I decided to carry it instead of my heavy, bulky Minolta. It was a small, somewhat inexpensive camera; an Olympus XA2. Not only small, it was lightweight and very simple, but could this device really turn out good pictures? In short, yes.
The XA 2
The XA2 came in a nice hard sturdy plastic box. The instruction manual was included but with the ease, minimal buttons, a few dials and adjustments, this camera seemed very intuitive to use. It seemed cheap and plasticky and I was wondering just how well it would shoot compared to the Minoltas and Pentax’s I had carried before, and how well was it going to hold up being in my pockets and bike bags all the time? In the end I was not disappointed with the XA2 at all.
The little solid camera actually did very well. I shot incredible pictures, and it performed in every environment I was being subjected to. It was dependable. I switched between slides and print film depending on my budget. It is a basic point-and-shoot and very user-friendly. Open the clam-shell lens cover, look through the view finder, and push the button. Even if I had forgotten to adjust for distance or landscape focus, the pictures looked good. The latitude in the 6-element lens was good.
Some describe the camera as an ultra-compact. I would agree and it was easy to fit in a backpack or coat pocket.
The XA2 has some extras as well. There is a self-timer with a 10 second wait. It is easy to set up. The same switch is also a battery check.
The XA series came about around 1979. It quickly became a hit in the point-and-shoot arena. It’s a 35mm camera with a high-quality lens with minimal requirements from the user and is easy to carry and use. To focus there is a basic single person symbol, a group symbol, and a mountain symbol. That’s it for your focus adjustments.
ASA is the only other thing to set, and with ASA from 25 to 800 you have the average film speed options. With the automatic light meter, it gives great shutter speeds to match your lighting needs. A little green or red light on the right, inside the view finder, tells you if you have enough light.
A 35mm compact camera that shoots great pictures every time is a lot of fun. The flash is easy as well. Attach and screw the flash to the camera and then turn it on. It extends the camera’s size sideways about 2 inches but is still very compact. I carried that little camera daily. The flash was strong and the pictures came out even in darker settings.
Even if I had failed to set the correct focusing adjustments, the camera had enough latitude to give me good photos. There seemed to be a bit of vignetting around the photo’s edges, but it was hardly noticeable. In fact, I really didn’t notice it in most of my pictures.
The Olympus XA2 model started in 1981 and then later went to the AX3, and lastly the XA4. With its impressive lens design, these little cameras will never disappoint The images were bright and colorful. This little camera is not a replacement for the larger SLRs, but with good composition and with good contrast, sharp pictures could easily be made into 8x10s.
There have been lots of reviews on this camera series. Articles with specs, limits, weight, shutter speed, and who the designer was (Maitani). Since there were 4 versions (the first one was just XA) there were a few advances along the way in its development. Mine was the XA2 and it was very capable in its ability for my needs. The XA 4 may have been the best model, but any XA camera will perform well.
The price range for used ones today are very reasonable. Rarely will you pay over $100 for a good functioning XA in any model. It is not a disposable camera by any means, and it is rugged enough to give years of service.
Sadly, when I returned from my trip, this little camera companion got turned back over to the landlord who had gotten it for me (Dad).
I recently was able to locate another good working XA2 but it needed new light seals. This wasn’t a hard job, but time consuming. It’s now working well.
I am glad to have this little camera in my camera corral. For just shooting candid and street shots the XA2 is a very easy choice. It’s an easy choice for simple street and vacation photography.
These little cameras have made a small niche for themselves. A camera with great six element lens, with easy knobs and dials, easy shutter that takes remarkable pictures can’t be beat.
They are fun little cameras. I think they are a great little starter camera for someone who wants to get into film. They perform well for any type of snap shots.
