The viewfinder is huge and very bright on the Agfa, but it is to thick a camera, and the lens sticks out in front. Not a pocketable camera like the Olympus, but a gorgeous camera in all other ways. I love the rewind that uses the advance lever in a smart way. And the lens is really sharp. Unfortunately, I don't have the 1535 which is the only version that has a rangefinder. I have the Agfa Optima Sensor Flash.
I still have my XA which I purchased originally in 1985. I will never sell it. However my XA rarely gets used any more as a Ricoh GRD4 has taken its place (also old and fantastic, but digital, not film). I've also never had problems with the XA's rangefinder. From memory, my XA's images have always been pin sharp. Maybe yours needs recalibrating?
I love my Olympus XA! I’ve subbed to your channel cuz we’re Olympus bros and I'm trying to immerse my feed in fellow film people. Hey I have the black Rollei 35 as well! Your photos are awesome sir! Can't wait to see what you shoot next! If you got a minute, check out the pics I got in my Olympus XA POV Photo Walk video I just posted where I shoot some fuji 400 in mine.
Yes, we have a lot in common I. I saw you also shoot sprocket hole photography, use mirror lenses, and what not. We are more photography brothers than "just" Olympus 🙂 I also subscribed to your channel.
I used to have one and it was a fun wee thing, but if anything it was just too small for me. I found quite hard to focus (viewfinder is quite small, and the area you have for lining up the images is even smaller), and the shutter button was VERY sensitive (wasted a bunch of frames). It is certainly the most pocketable though!
Agree to your comment, it is rather small, and the rangefinder window is rather small. Yes, the shutter button is very sensitive, but I haven't wasted so many frames, though it happens once in a while.
I have two of these . Both sadly no longer working . They were great when I used to go on walks. I often wished they'd been capable of taking filters and I do think there was one available ( not by Olympus) that fitted the tripod socket and took Cokin A filters but was a bit Heath Robinson in use. Love your photos especially the trees.
Nice video. Beautiful images. I have the XA and XA2. I enjoying shooting with them. XA more because of the rangefinder. (You seem like a nice person, no reason to get into a discussion with some of your commenters like the one below.)
The Olympus XA is a very nice Camera, I have the XA 2. Both the Contax T and fx Minox 35 ML is more compact than the Olympus XA series. I prefer the Minox 35 ML because when you always have pre focused at fx 3 meters, then you can take the Minox 35 ML with one hand out of a pocket, open the lid with one hand and shoot with one hand, very easy Camera to use. The analog compact with the best Lens is the Leica Minilux.
I bought one of these in a lot of cameras for $200 (I resolde for over $1000) and it had one of these Olympus XA cameras with the flash attachment. I ended up getting $200 for the set up. It was a surprise. Now wasn't buying these cameras to flip but buying for the few Soviet camera lenses he also had. But this camera was very cool.
Yes, the XA is a gem, a real gem. I had one for years and gave it to Sonnar Brian. The drawback for me is that it is a film camera. I have moved on from film to 100% digital. Nevertheless this was a great camera and in film days a real winner. Tak.
The Agfa Optima 1535 comes close as small rangefinders go, but is slightly larger. But you get a huge viewfinder in return.
The viewfinder is huge and very bright on the Agfa, but it is to thick a camera, and the lens sticks out in front. Not a pocketable camera like the Olympus, but a gorgeous camera in all other ways. I love the rewind that uses the advance lever in a smart way. And the lens is really sharp. Unfortunately, I don't have the 1535 which is the only version that has a rangefinder. I have the Agfa Optima Sensor Flash.
I still have my XA which I purchased originally in 1985. I will never sell it. However my XA rarely gets used any more as a Ricoh GRD4 has taken its place (also old and fantastic, but digital, not film). I've also never had problems with the XA's rangefinder. From memory, my XA's images have always been pin sharp. Maybe yours needs recalibrating?
You might be right, I'll ask a service shop what they think.
I love my Olympus XA! I’ve subbed to your channel cuz we’re Olympus bros and I'm trying to immerse my feed in fellow film people. Hey I have the black Rollei 35 as well! Your photos are awesome sir! Can't wait to see what you shoot next! If you got a minute, check out the pics I got in my Olympus XA POV Photo Walk video I just posted where I shoot some fuji 400 in mine.
Yes, we have a lot in common I. I saw you also shoot sprocket hole photography, use mirror lenses, and what not. We are more photography brothers than "just" Olympus 🙂 I also subscribed to your channel.
I used to have one and it was a fun wee thing, but if anything it was just too small for me. I found quite hard to focus (viewfinder is quite small, and the area you have for lining up the images is even smaller), and the shutter button was VERY sensitive (wasted a bunch of frames). It is certainly the most pocketable though!
Agree to your comment, it is rather small, and the rangefinder window is rather small. Yes, the shutter button is very sensitive, but I haven't wasted so many frames, though it happens once in a while.
I have two of these . Both sadly no longer working . They were great when I used to go on walks. I often wished they'd been capable of taking filters and I do think there was one available ( not by Olympus) that fitted the tripod socket and took Cokin A filters but was a bit Heath Robinson in use. Love your photos especially the trees.
Nice video. Beautiful images. I have the XA and XA2. I enjoying shooting with them. XA more because of the rangefinder. (You seem like a nice person, no reason to get into a discussion with some of your commenters like the one below.)
Thanks for the comment. Actually, I had the XA2 and sold it when I got the XA, that I like much more.
@@key2adventure zone focusing isn’t always fun plus the 2.8 lens is better.
@@markandrst8767 I definitely agree to that.
The Olympus XA is a very nice Camera, I have the XA 2. Both the Contax T and fx Minox 35 ML is more compact than the Olympus XA series. I prefer the Minox 35 ML because when you always have pre focused at fx 3 meters, then you can take the Minox 35 ML with one hand out of a pocket, open the lid with one hand and shoot with one hand, very easy Camera to use. The analog compact with the best Lens is the Leica Minilux.
The hair trigger makes it a challenge
Yeah, it is sensitive.
I bought one of these in a lot of cameras for $200 (I resolde for over $1000) and it had one of these Olympus XA cameras with the flash attachment. I ended up getting $200 for the set up. It was a surprise. Now wasn't buying these cameras to flip but buying for the few Soviet camera lenses he also had. But this camera was very cool.
I had one of these, it was terrible
Maybe you had a bad copy, or it just wasn't your style of photography.
@@key2adventure maybe you’re just speculating
@@chelg I don't think so, because as you can see in the comments from others, there are many that like this camera a lot.
@@key2adventure oh no, it sounds like I’ve upset you with my opinion 🍼
@@chelg Not at all, I just wanted to point out to you, that there are many who like this camera, and doesn't find it terrible.
Yes, the XA is a gem, a real gem. I had one for years and gave it to Sonnar Brian. The drawback for me is that it is a film camera. I have moved on from film to 100% digital. Nevertheless this was a great camera and in film days a real winner. Tak.
Smaller than a smart phone and 3x as thick is this camera.