Photography Gear

Olympus XA

April 22, 2019 — Tim Trautmann

Around 20 years ago, I spotted an Olympus XA rangefinder camera for sale at a camera shop in San Francisco's North Beach. I fell for it right away and bought it then and there. The Olympus XA has become my favorite compact film camera. I love its simple design, and the f/2.8 lens is really impressive. It shoots in aperture priority mode, which I enjoy, and it delivers great images for such a small camera.

An Olympus XA compact rangefinder camera rests on warm blonde wood, its distinctive charcoal metallic body catching soft, diffused light. The legendary f/2.8 Zuiko lens peers through its protective sliding cover, while the camera's minimalist design and precision engineering speak to decades of street photography heritage. The intimate lighting creates gentle shadows that accentuate the camera's compact form and tactile surfaces. — *The iconic Olympus XA rangefinder camera showcases its aperture priority automation and legendary 35mm f/2.8 Zuiko lens in classic black finish.*

Life got busy, so this little gem spent a few years packed away in a storage box. After a few moves, it's finally back and ready to join me on new adventures.

Cameras this old usually need some maintenance at some point. For example, mine needs its light meter calibrated.

A pristine Olympus XA rangefinder camera rests on warm blonde wood, its charcoal metallic body gleaming under soft natural light. The compact 35mm camera's distinctive sliding lens cover reveals the aperture priority f/2.8 lens, while the red shutter release button provides a subtle accent against the matte black top plate. The intimate composition captures the camera at a three-quarter angle, emphasizing its legendary portable design that made it a favorite among street photographers. — *An Olympus XA rangefinder camera with its signature aperture priority 35mm f/2.8 lens displayed on natural wood*.

If you're in Portland and need help with an old camera, take it to Mike Knight at Knight Camera Repair. He knows the Olympus XA well and has lots of spare parts if you need them. You can find him at Blue Moon Camera & Machine in St. Johns on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.

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Olympus XA

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