I just got the XA2 thinking that it was the XA unfortunately but thank you so much for making this video. I had no idea how to use the camera and now I do. Thank you.
Love this video! Its super helpful to anyone using film cameras for the first time. I also have a question. We just got our first roll of film developed and some of our photos were partially overlapping. Is this because we probably pressed the rewind button by accident?
When frames have a little bit of overlap it's usually because there was some slippage in the gears of the camera when you advanced the film. On cameras with a manual film advance like this one, you can help mitigate this problem by turning the advance knob in a smooth and steady fashion.
Hi! The first roll (200 iso) I shot with this camera all pictures except 4 of them came out overexposed. I couldn’t tell of whether there was something wrong with the camera or it was a film processing issue so I shot another roll (200 iso) and took it to a different place to have it developed. I got more pictures out of the second roll. I took some pictures at a car show in sunny conditions and all came out overexposed and then pictures that I took inside an establishment or when the sun was setting (no flash) came out completely fine. I’m new to film so I’m not sure if I’m doing something wrong or there is something wrong with the camera. Any advice is much appreciated. Thank you!
so the camera recognizes what are you pointing at and the green light in the viewfinder lits automatically? asking because sometimes i see it, other times i don’t
There is a simple light meter on the front of the camera above the lens. If it's not receiving much light, it will use a slower shutter speed. The green light only comes on if the shutter speed is 1/30th of a second or slower.
Hello! I have a question. Is it normal that I can't move the winder when it has no battery? I just got mine today and I still don't have a complete idea how this camera works 😅 thank you in advance!
While watching your video and trying to insert a film, I noticed that the film winder is “stuck” or at least not turning. Doesn’t matter if h. Insert a film or not. Also the shutter is not really reaction (though i can push it down)? Changed the battery but it doesn’t help. Also tried your little tip by pushing in the bottom but it didn’t help 😔
All cameras have a kind of honeymoon period where you have to work to get to know exactly how the camera behaves. After putting a few rolls of film through it, you should have an excellent idea of which zone focus setting to use when.
@@PrimeStudios Thanks so much for getting back to me! I think I might have to replace the light seals...I'll try shooting one film first, though, because I don't know if it's really necessary
It shows the distances the flash can travel at different power levels. 400 refers to 400 ISO, a higher light sensitivity, so a lower power of the flash that doesn't go as far is used. Next is 100 ISO that needs more power and can go longer distance, then Full power.
I've found that I can take some shots with the camera (I've taken 10 so far which I did consecutively on a 24 roll) but i'm now unable to take anymore (the shutter just wont click when i'm trying to take something) after having closed and left the camera for a while. Any ideas why this happens as the same thing happened on a tester roll I previously tried. Thanks
@@brea8811 You can reshoot the first say, 12 shots in total darkness in order to advance the film forward without exposing the photos you've already taken.
No, the winding mechanism will control the advancement of the film. There is a danger of ripping the film once you reach the end of the roll bc you don’t have a counter to tell you you’re at the end. So just advance normally, don’t try to force anything.
No, You don't have to. Unless you are planning on taking another photo soon, I would wait to wind it until then. The reason is because the shutter button on this camera is very sensitive and you could easily take a photo by mistake.
@@PrimeStudios oh I see, after putting the film all I should do is click shutter button every time I take a picture? And what is the purpose of frame counter window?
@@jerwensiendo9085 You still need to advance the film using the winding knob each time you want to take a photo, you just don't have to do it right after taking the previous photo.
@@PrimeStudios and lastly, how do I know that I advance my film correctly? How many swipes should I do to advance my film correctly using the winding knob?
A double exposure feature is not built in. The only way to do it would be to run a roll of film through the camera twice, and even then you would be unlikely to perfectly line up the photos.
Hi thanks for the review. I'm still debating with my self whether get the XA or the XA2. I like the XA because it has full control of focusing and its 2.8 so i believe that i can shoot portrait with a little bit depth of field. Is The XA2 can manage the focus better and create some portrait shots with depth of field? Which one do you prefer between both camera? Thanks
I definitely prefer the XA. The f/2.8 aperture is one reason, but the main reason is I am able to nail my focus on every shot. It takes a few seconds longer than zone focusing, but I found I often missed focus when using the XA2.
I own an XA, but I wouldn't rush to buy either model. They both cater to snap shots, the intended buyer being a family type shooting family 3x5 prints for the album or relatives. They work well for that purpose, but the idea that either camera is a full service photographic instrument is ridiculous. Between the two, the XA2 probably has the better lens, I think a 4-element Tessar copy which is sharp from 5.6 and smaller apertures. The lens in the XA is frankly, a dog at any aperture. It has less sharpness, more distortion and more vignetting than any lens put in a 35mm camera in the last 60 years. That is because it uses a unique design allowing it to be crammed into the fairly thin camera body. Neither Olympus nor anyone else ever used that lens design again. The XA2 has no rangefinder, but the rangefinder on the XA is so dim and has such a short measuring base that it is practically useless. It will end up zone focused like the XA2. Neither camera allows user control over the exposure. The XA allows the user to select an aperture, but the type of user seeking these cameras is probably not interested in that distinction. If you are seeking this type of small, casual use camera, better choices: Minox 35 (various models, same prices or less); Rollei 35 (various models, priced from a bit to a lot more expensive); Ricoh 500G (cheaper); Olympus Trip 35 (cheaper).
@@randallstewart1224great informative comment. Only curious about this model as I have seen some cheaply available near me and it has an appealing small size. Your comments about its downsides confirm my concerns about it and how it gets used. Also a big fan of the olympus trip 35 in the range of budget, small, easy to use film cameras.
Hiya, can I ask, if the batteries aren't in, will the winder and shutter work? My camera is missing a battery cap, and I am wondering if that is causing the shutter/ advance winder not to work. Thanks in advance...
Just bought what I thought was an XA (due to the ebay listing saying XA everywhere, and not XA2) for way too much money, and didn't realize it was actually an XA2 in the pictures. I'm so pissed. You can't even select the aperture??
In the video I'm referring to raising the ISO on the camera to 800 when a lower ISO film is in the camera. This will cause the film to be underexposed because the camera thinks it doesn't need to let in as much light.
Prime Studios thanks for replying! But when you set iso to 800 on camera, doesn’t it mean it needs more light? So the actual light we get is more than iso film 400? Why the camera thinks it doesn’t need to let in as much light?
No, a film with 800 ISO would be more sensitive to light, therefore it needs less light let into the camera to make the same exposure. So if the camera is set to 800 ISO, it will let less light into the camera then if you set it to a lower ISO.
So if you put 800 and set the camera iso on 100 it will take better picture in the dark? And why do we put our finger on that thing in the middle (light smth)?
"It's a great camera for someone who wants to get into film photography but hasn't learned how to shoot a phoot in manual yet." What if you just want a super fast point and shoot camera that you can rock whilst on the go? Yet to find a camera reviewer that isn't an obnoxious elitist on youtube yet.
That would be the Olympus XA. I have a video on that one too: ruclips.net/video/wHfvQObNqy8/видео.html I still can't decide if it's my #1 or #2 all time favorite camera.
I just got the XA2 thinking that it was the XA unfortunately but thank you so much for making this video. I had no idea how to use the camera and now I do. Thank you.
Excellent work.
That is how to do a proper explanatory video. Well thought out and very logically explained.
Thank you.
Great how-to video! Very easy to watch and understand, short and to the point!
Thank you! Very informative, can't wait to get my xa2 this Friday and shoot.
thanks for the video! excellent and easy to understand, straight to the point !
lovely video
Needed this video so bad, thank you !!
nice and easy to understand, thank you
This was so helpful!! Thank you :)
great video - cant wait to start shooting with mine!
great tutorial
Absolutely perfect video for my current situation. Thanks a lot!
You're so welcome!
Love this video! Its super helpful to anyone using film cameras for the first time. I also have a question. We just got our first roll of film developed and some of our photos were partially overlapping. Is this because we probably pressed the rewind button by accident?
When frames have a little bit of overlap it's usually because there was some slippage in the gears of the camera when you advanced the film. On cameras with a manual film advance like this one, you can help mitigate this problem by turning the advance knob in a smooth and steady fashion.
i think this camera will be great practice for zone focusing with a more complex rangefinder (something i plan on graduating to)
Snagged this for $5 at the flea market, so now in looking at this
I just paid $115 for one on eBay...lol
thank you sir
Thanks man
Really helpful 👍👍🙏🙏
Hi! The first roll (200 iso) I shot with this camera all pictures except 4 of them came out overexposed. I couldn’t tell of whether there was something wrong with the camera or it was a film processing issue so I shot another roll (200 iso) and took it to a different place to have it developed. I got more pictures out of the second roll. I took some pictures at a car show in sunny conditions and all came out overexposed and then pictures that I took inside an establishment or when the sun was setting (no flash) came out completely fine. I’m new to film so I’m not sure if I’m doing something wrong or there is something wrong with the camera. Any advice is much appreciated. Thank you!
so the camera recognizes what are you pointing at and the green light in the viewfinder lits automatically? asking because sometimes i see it, other times i don’t
There is a simple light meter on the front of the camera above the lens. If it's not receiving much light, it will use a slower shutter speed. The green light only comes on if the shutter speed is 1/30th of a second or slower.
Hello! I have a question. Is it normal that I can't move the winder when it has no battery? I just got mine today and I still don't have a complete idea how this camera works 😅 thank you in advance!
I don't believe anything works on the camera without the batteries.
While watching your video and trying to insert a film, I noticed that the film winder is “stuck” or at least not turning. Doesn’t matter if h. Insert a film or not. Also the shutter is not really reaction (though i can push it down)? Changed the battery but it doesn’t help. Also tried your little tip by pushing in the bottom but it didn’t help 😔
You may need to seek out a camera repair shop!
I've just bought this and am now little worried about the zone focus thing....
All cameras have a kind of honeymoon period where you have to work to get to know exactly how the camera behaves. After putting a few rolls of film through it, you should have an excellent idea of which zone focus setting to use when.
@@PrimeStudios Thanks so much for getting back to me! I think I might have to replace the light seals...I'll try shooting one film first, though, because I don't know if it's really necessary
Looks like the lens have no aperture, right?
The top slider thing on my camera doesn’t stay shut, is this normal ?
No, it should close all of the way. It's essentially the "off" switch.
hello! i’m sure it’s supposed to be self explanatory but what do the numbers on the flash in the back mean? 100/Full/400 switch in the front?
It shows the distances the flash can travel at different power levels. 400 refers to 400 ISO, a higher light sensitivity, so a lower power of the flash that doesn't go as far is used. Next is 100 ISO that needs more power and can go longer distance, then Full power.
I've found that I can take some shots with the camera (I've taken 10 so far which I did consecutively on a 24 roll) but i'm now unable to take anymore (the shutter just wont click when i'm trying to take something) after having closed and left the camera for a while. Any ideas why this happens as the same thing happened on a tester roll I previously tried. Thanks
You could try pressing the rewind release button, then winding again, then trying to take another photo.
@@PrimeStudios this does work, but will it affect the pictures I've already taken on the roll as I've gone from 10 back to 's'?
@@brea8811 You can reshoot the first say, 12 shots in total darkness in order to advance the film forward without exposing the photos you've already taken.
I have an xa2 that also has a broken counter. Is there a danger of over winding?
No, the winding mechanism will control the advancement of the film. There is a danger of ripping the film once you reach the end of the roll bc you don’t have a counter to tell you you’re at the end. So just advance normally, don’t try to force anything.
Do you need batteries to use it because I have one and it is stuck there are no batteries in the camera
Yes! The batteries runs the shutter.
Hi sir. Can I ask if I should move the film transportation mechanism every time I will click the shutter button?
No, You don't have to. Unless you are planning on taking another photo soon, I would wait to wind it until then. The reason is because the shutter button on this camera is very sensitive and you could easily take a photo by mistake.
@@PrimeStudios oh I see, after putting the film all I should do is click shutter button every time I take a picture? And what is the purpose of frame counter window?
@@jerwensiendo9085 You still need to advance the film using the winding knob each time you want to take a photo, you just don't have to do it right after taking the previous photo.
@@PrimeStudios thank you very much sir. Since I thought the film will advance itself automatically after taking picture.
@@PrimeStudios and lastly, how do I know that I advance my film correctly? How many swipes should I do to advance my film correctly using the winding knob?
Can I shoot a double exposure with it?
A double exposure feature is not built in. The only way to do it would be to run a roll of film through the camera twice, and even then you would be unlikely to perfectly line up the photos.
Does the camera require batteries to advance? Im struggling to test mine with dry fires
I don’t think it lets you do anything workout a battery.
@@PrimeStudios i hope thats the case. Mine wont advance at all right now but i also dont have batteries
The film counter is broken too, can it be fixed?
You'd probably have to find a camera repair shop.
@@PrimeStudios i was able to fixed it.
Hi thanks for the review. I'm still debating with my self whether get the XA or the XA2. I like the XA because it has full control of focusing and its 2.8 so i believe that i can shoot portrait with a little bit depth of field. Is The XA2 can manage the focus better and create some portrait shots with depth of field? Which one do you prefer between both camera? Thanks
I definitely prefer the XA. The f/2.8 aperture is one reason, but the main reason is I am able to nail my focus on every shot. It takes a few seconds longer than zone focusing, but I found I often missed focus when using the XA2.
@@PrimeStudios thanks for the insight!
I own an XA, but I wouldn't rush to buy either model. They both cater to snap shots, the intended buyer being a family type shooting family 3x5 prints for the album or relatives. They work well for that purpose, but the idea that either camera is a full service photographic instrument is ridiculous. Between the two, the XA2 probably has the better lens, I think a 4-element Tessar copy which is sharp from 5.6 and smaller apertures. The lens in the XA is frankly, a dog at any aperture. It has less sharpness, more distortion and more vignetting than any lens put in a 35mm camera in the last 60 years. That is because it uses a unique design allowing it to be crammed into the fairly thin camera body. Neither Olympus nor anyone else ever used that lens design again. The XA2 has no rangefinder, but the rangefinder on the XA is so dim and has such a short measuring base that it is practically useless. It will end up zone focused like the XA2. Neither camera allows user control over the exposure. The XA allows the user to select an aperture, but the type of user seeking these cameras is probably not interested in that distinction. If you are seeking this type of small, casual use camera, better choices: Minox 35 (various models, same prices or less); Rollei 35 (various models, priced from a bit to a lot more expensive); Ricoh 500G (cheaper); Olympus Trip 35 (cheaper).
@@randallstewart1224great informative comment. Only curious about this model as I have seen some cheaply available near me and it has an appealing small size. Your comments about its downsides confirm my concerns about it and how it gets used. Also a big fan of the olympus trip 35 in the range of budget, small, easy to use film cameras.
Hiya, can I ask, if the batteries aren't in, will the winder and shutter work? My camera is missing a battery cap, and I am wondering if that is causing the shutter/ advance winder not to work. Thanks in advance...
No, the camera requires batteries to work. The battery cap helps complete the circuit so the camera will not work without it.
@@PrimeStudios thank you, much appreciated!
If my shutter button doesn’t work sometimes, does that mean it’s damaged or are there other reasons?
The shutter button might be damaged. You could try pressing the rewind release button, then winding again, then trying to take another photo.
ughhh for some reason mine still won’t turn on! i don’t know if it’s me or the camera😂
Just bought what I thought was an XA (due to the ebay listing saying XA everywhere, and not XA2) for way too much money, and didn't realize it was actually an XA2 in the pictures. I'm so pissed. You can't even select the aperture??
I am confused why does high ISO like 800 will underexposed the photo? Thanks!
In the video I'm referring to raising the ISO on the camera to 800 when a lower ISO film is in the camera. This will cause the film to be underexposed because the camera thinks it doesn't need to let in as much light.
Prime Studios thanks for replying! But when you set iso to 800 on camera, doesn’t it mean it needs more light? So the actual light we get is more than iso film 400? Why the camera thinks it doesn’t need to let in as much light?
No, a film with 800 ISO would be more sensitive to light, therefore it needs less light let into the camera to make the same exposure. So if the camera is set to 800 ISO, it will let less light into the camera then if you set it to a lower ISO.
Prime Studios It now makes sense for me! Thanks for explaining!!!
So if you put 800 and set the camera iso on 100 it will take better picture in the dark? And why do we put our finger on that thing in the middle (light smth)?
"It's a great camera for someone who wants to get into film photography but hasn't learned how to shoot a phoot in manual yet."
What if you just want a super fast point and shoot camera that you can rock whilst on the go? Yet to find a camera reviewer that isn't an obnoxious elitist on youtube yet.
That would be the Olympus XA. I have a video on that one too: ruclips.net/video/wHfvQObNqy8/видео.html
I still can't decide if it's my #1 or #2 all time favorite camera.
Hi, my flash is not working even though I put a new batter in it. Any idea why? 🩷
probably contacts have oxidized.