Rangefinder?

[O|||||||O]

Just got my first one... Oly XA. So far, I love it.

I haven't developed my first roll from it yet (too dark to shoot much by the time I got home today), but damn. Very usable, very pocketable. Shutter is damn near silent.

I might be hooked.

I know it's not the greatest camera, but it should be a fine starter rangefinder from everything I've read on it.


Anyway... New toys, excited...


The main reason I got it is that I needed a 35mm camera that could fit in my pocket. Manual ISO settings were a must, and budget wasn't enough for the well known brands. So far, it seems perfect.

[Ads]

[usayit]

Congrats... its a different experience some like it some don't. Looks to be that your discovering something new.

[compur]

The XA is a much-admired classic and a lot of fun to use. One of the smallest RF
cameras ever.

[O|||||||O]

Well, my first roll from it is rinsing now. Pictures tomorrow.

[Proteus617]

I know it's not the greatest camera, but it should be a fine starter rangefinder from everything I've read on it.

Not the greatest? It's a design landmark. These days it's still appreciated for it's incredibly small size and low-light performance.

[O|||||||O]

From my very limited experience with it, focusing is a bitch in low light.

I do love it so far though. This will easily become my every day carry camera.

[O|||||||O]

Slightly off topic, but - does anybody know how I can upload an audio file here?

It's just that I really can't believe how quiet this thing is... I was going to make a recording of my 1N RS firing (which is 'relatively' quiet, since there is no mirror movement) compared to the XA.

I probably took 3 or 4 pictures just to show my wife how quiet it was, lol!



I would compare it to the sound of clicking a ball point pen. Maybe a little quieter...

[dxqcanada]

I had an XA ... it was a great camera to use ... the design is awesome.

[Proteus617]

From my very limited experience with it, focusing is a bitch in low light.

Dust in an old rangefinder mechanism can dim things up a bit, but some of it is technique. Once you know where the spot is, you find an edge to focus then recompose. I'm so accustomed to RFs that using as SLR without a split screen drives me crazy.

[O|||||||O]

It looks pretty clean. In fact, the whole camera looks pretty much brand new. I got it from KEH - EX grade.

I think I was just trying to use it when it was too dark. The ISO only goes up to 800, and if I limit myself to lighting where 800 will work, I should be fine.

Got some Efke KB 50 in it now.

I still have to scan the roll I developed last night... (Which was Arista Premium 400 (rebranded Tri-X).)

[O|||||||O]

OK, as promised - some pictures.

Just messing around, nothing serious and no C&C needed. You know, the 'I just got a new camera' snapshots.

The obligatory bathroom mirror self portraits:

04041111 by J E, on Flickr

04041106 by J E, on Flickr

My son, wondering what the hell I'm doing:

04041108 by J E, on Flickr

[O|||||||O]

LOL, that's only about a year and a half worth of hair too....

May '09:

Self Portrait by J E, on Flickr

January '10:

IMG_8775-2 by J E, on Flickr

August '10:

Self 2 by J E, on Flickr