AtTheAuctions: Olympus XA 35mm Analog Rangefinder Cameras, Classic Collectibles!
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Olympus XA 35mm Rangefinder Film Cameras
The Olympus XA series, a classic clamshell design 35mm analog rangefinder, designed by Yoshihisa Maitani, first appeared in 1979 with the XA model after it was launched at the 1978 Foto-Kina.
In spite of being an ultra small camera, the XA had a 6 element 5 group high grade lens (F-Zuiko 35mm F2.8), semi automatic aperture preferred shutter system (featuring aperture priority automation), and 85cm to infinity range finder. With it's 35mm lens which is probably the most useful focal length for general use, the Olympus XA has proved itself capable of taking extremely high quality photographs, ahving being compared to the majority of modern SLRs and many Leica and Contax models.
In spite of being an ultra small camera, the XA had a 6 element 5 group high grade lens (F-Zuiko 35mm F2.8), semi automatic aperture preferred shutter system (featuring aperture priority automation), and 85cm to infinity range finder. With it's 35mm lens which is probably the most useful focal length for general use, the Olympus XA has proved itself capable of taking extremely high quality photographs, ahving being compared to the majority of modern SLRs and many Leica and Contax models.
The Olympus History
Olympus XA 35mm Film Rangefinder Cameras
- The XA was designed to match the preferences of male and female users.
- Today anyone can take a photograph simply by pushing a button, but back then such a comment would have been greeted with anger. The ease with which we can take photographs is the result of relentless efforts by engineers throughout the world to apply complex technology to the task of automating camera functions. In the early days, you had to study photography so that you could set the shutter aperture and choose the right type of film. Before you could take a picture, you had to consult tables of standard exposure settings for the different seasons and day and night conditions. Photography required considerable study, and for this reason camera users were mostly males...
Olympus XA Series
Olympus XA 35mm Film Rangefinder Cameras
Won over by its sharp lens, compact dimensions, sturdy casing and exposure controls, the XA camera quickly found favor among fellow enthusiast with many ending up as the camera 'professionals carry on the vacation.'For collectors and enthusiasts alike, looking for a 'collectible' Olympus XA might be quiet the fun you are looking for. Besides your local 'flea market' you might want to try the auctions at eBay for size... happy bidding!
Olympus XA4 Macro QuartzDare
Olympus XA 35mm Film Rangefinder Cameras
The XA4 went on sale in 1985. It had a 28mm wide-angle lens and was also capable of macro photography at a minimum distance of 30cm. The XA4 came with a strap that could be used to check the distance from the subject. Like the XA2, the range setting was automatically reset to 3m whenever the slide barrier was opened or closed in case the user forgot to switch the focus control.
Olympus XA
Olympus XA 35mm Film Rangefinder Cameras
The XA capsule camera was launched in 1979. It was fitted with a barrier-type lens cover that eliminated the need for a case. Extremely portable and ready to shoot at a moment's notice, this superb compact camera also incorporated a range of sophisticated features, including a built-in rangefinder and aperture-preferred AE. There was also an externally mounted strobe flash unit designed to harmonize with the XA body. The XA was the first full-featured camera in which plastic materials were used for the body and other key parts. Olympus upgraded its plastic molding system and established new technologies to produce this camera.
Olympus XA2
Olympus XA 35mm Film Rangefinder Cameras
Based on the XA, the XA2 was modified to make it suitable for novice photographers. It went on sale in 1980. To maximize ease of use and cost performance, its functions were limited to program AE and 3-zone autofocus (auto-pan focus). The focus was automatically set to medium distance whenever the slide barrier was opened or closed, in case the user forgot to switch the focus control. The XA2 was available in four body colors and was the first camera to win a Good Design award from the Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry.
Olympus XA3
Olympus XA 35mm Film Rangefinder Cameras
The XA3, from 1985, was basically an XA2 with DX film coding and manual ASA settings up to 1600 ASA. Also had the "backlight compensation" feature from the original XA, a feature lacking in the XA2.
Olympus XA1
Olympus XA 35mm Film Rangefinder Cameras
The XA1 was an economy-priced model in the XA series. It was a programmable AE camera with two shutter speeds and a fixed focus four element 35mm f:4 lens. Equipped with a selenium photovoltaic cell, it did not require a battery. The only film speed settings were 100 and 400 ISO.
Revitalizing Kits, Manuals and More
Olympus XA 35mm Film Rangefinder Cameras
For the DIY enthusiast or the true collector, you may also find other interesting stuff to add to your collection of Olympus XA paraphernalia on eBay...
Links & Resources
Olympus XA 35mm Film Rangefinder Cameras
- Olympus XA and XA4 Macro
- Often overlooked today, the classic compact 1979 Olympus XA and the 1985 XA4 offer a lot of compact camera for the buck...
- XA The Original
- XA - The Original : This is the finest model in the XA range - the original and best. It first appeared in 1978 at the Foto-Kina and came out on the market in the next May...
- The Classic Camera Olympus XA
- Olympus XA SeriesA Manual Compact Camera : Olympus XA was made in 1979 as a high spec compact camera. XA1 and XA2 models followed next year. The quartz date model XA3 and XA4(with 28mm lens) appeared in 1985...
- Olympus XA 35mm compact camera
- First produced in 1979, the diminutive Olympus XA camera quickly found favour with enthusiast photographers won over by its sharp lens,..
Olympus in the News
Olympus XA 35mm Film Rangefinder Cameras
- Olympus expects net loss, but core business seen unscathed
- By Chris Gallagher and James Topham | TOKYO (Reuters) - Scandal-hit Olympus Corp on Monday forecast a $410 million full-year loss due largely to its ailing camera operations, but strength in its endoscope business suggested its core division would ...
- New OLYMPUS OM-D
- MANILA, Philippines ? Olympus Imaging Corporation has announced the introduction of the OLYMPUS OM-D, a new generation system camera compliant with the Micro Four Thirds System standard, scheduled for release in late March 2012.
- Olympus OM-D to get super fast Voigtländer Nokton lens
- YOKOHAMA - Voigtländer has unveiled an f/0.95 aperture 17.5mm Nokton lens designed for micro four thirds cameras. Due to go on sale this spring, the lens was attached to the new Olympus OM-D E-M5 on Voigtländer's stand at the CP+ Camera & Photo Imaging ...
- Olympus Corp <7733.T>-2011/12 div forecast
- Feb 13 (Reuters) - OLYMPUS CORP PARENT-ONLY EARNINGS ESTIMATES (in billions of yen unless specified) Full year to March 31,2012 LATEST FORECAST Annual div nil NOTE - Olympus Corp is a pioneer in lightweight SLR cameras. If there is no Q1 or Q3 dividend ...
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