Difference between revisions of "Olympus XA"
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== Description == | == Description == | ||
| − | The '''Olympus XA''' series of cameras were a range of very [[compact camera]]s in a clam-shell case. They were designed for [[Olympus]] by [[Yoshihisa | + | The '''Olympus XA''' series of cameras were a range of very [[compact camera]]s in a clam-shell case. They were designed for [[Olympus]] by [[Maitani Yoshihisa]]{{Japanese name order}}. The series was largely replaced by the [[Olympus_mju_Stylus_Epic|Stylus/mju series]] in 1991. |
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===XA=== | ===XA=== | ||
The '''XA''', introduced in 1979 was the benchmark of the series containing a true [[rangefinder (device)|rangefinder]] focusing mechanism and an [[aperture priority]] exposure system within its tiny case. It had a six element Zuiko 35mm f:2.8 lens, a [[CdS]] exposure meter and a shutter to 1/500. | The '''XA''', introduced in 1979 was the benchmark of the series containing a true [[rangefinder (device)|rangefinder]] focusing mechanism and an [[aperture priority]] exposure system within its tiny case. It had a six element Zuiko 35mm f:2.8 lens, a [[CdS]] exposure meter and a shutter to 1/500. | ||
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* Chris Lee's history of the XA detailed in the [http://www.geocities.com/maitani_fan/xa_camera.html XA Way] | * Chris Lee's history of the XA detailed in the [http://www.geocities.com/maitani_fan/xa_camera.html XA Way] | ||
* [http://www.olympus-global.com/en/corc/history/camera/popup/capsule_xa.cfm?message=1 XA], [http://www.olympus-global.com/en/corc/history/camera/popup/capsule_xa2.cfm?message=1 XA2], [http://www.olympus-global.com/en/corc/history/camera/popup/xa_xa1.cfm?message=1 XA1], [http://www.olympus-global.com/en/corc/history/camera/popup/xa_xa3.cfm?message=1 XA3] in the Olympus Global History.<BR> | * [http://www.olympus-global.com/en/corc/history/camera/popup/capsule_xa.cfm?message=1 XA], [http://www.olympus-global.com/en/corc/history/camera/popup/capsule_xa2.cfm?message=1 XA2], [http://www.olympus-global.com/en/corc/history/camera/popup/xa_xa1.cfm?message=1 XA1], [http://www.olympus-global.com/en/corc/history/camera/popup/xa_xa3.cfm?message=1 XA3] in the Olympus Global History.<BR> | ||
| − | *[http://camarasclassicas.blogspot.com/2010/09/yoshihisa-maitani-and-cult-of-olympus.html Yoshihisa | + | *[http://camarasclassicas.blogspot.com/2010/09/yoshihisa-maitani-and-cult-of-olympus.html Maitani Yoshihisa and the cult of Olympus] at [http://camarasclassicas.blogspot.com/ Classic Cameras] by RaúlM. |
In French: | In French: | ||
Revision as of 14:43, 19 December 2010
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Contents
Description
The Olympus XA series of cameras were a range of very compact cameras in a clam-shell case. They were designed for Olympus by Maitani Yoshihisa[1]. The series was largely replaced by the Stylus/mju series in 1991.
XA
The XA, introduced in 1979 was the benchmark of the series containing a true rangefinder focusing mechanism and an aperture priority exposure system within its tiny case. It had a six element Zuiko 35mm f:2.8 lens, a CdS exposure meter and a shutter to 1/500.
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| XA2 with optional flash unit A11 |
XA 2
The XA2, introduced in 1980, was a simplified version of the XA with zone focusing and a programmed exposure system. It had a four-elements-in-four-groups Zuiko 35mm f:3.5 lens. The exposure meter was a CdS exposure sensor above the lens. Shutter speed range was 2 secs. to 1/750. The minimum focusing distance was 3 feet or .9 meters. Its film speed range was ASA 25 -800. Limited supplies in white, red and blue were also produced.
XA1
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| XA1 with A9M flash by Skagman |
The XA1, introduced in 1982, was the cheapest and simplest of the series. It had a fixed focus four element 35mm f:4 lens, a shutter to 1/250 and a programmed exposure driven by a selenium meter. The only film speed settings were 100 and 400 ISO.
XA 3
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| Olympus XA 3, photo by Arty Smokes |
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. A limited edition in red was also produced.
XA 4
The XA4, from 1985, was an XA2 with a five element Zuiko 28mm f:3.5 lens focusing to 0.3m, with the help of measuring rods for close focusing.
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| Olympus XA4 Macro, photo by skagman |
Accessories
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| flash unit A11 |
Four different types of flash units were offered to use with the various XA models. All must be screwed to the left hand side of the body, and are very compact units. All auto flash models have settings for 100 or 400 ISO films.
- A9M, a purely manual flash. Uses one AA battery.
- A11, an auto flash with settings for ASA 100 and ASA 400. Uses one AA battery. A11 User's Manual Courtesy: acolla
- A16, a more powerful auto flash than the A11. Has settings for ASA 100 and ASA 400. Uses two AA batteries.
- A1L, lithium batteries not replaceable by the user without dismantling the flash.
A macro attachment was available for the A-11 and A-1L to use with the XA-4 at close focusing range.
Cases were sold for both the body only, and for the body with a flash attached.
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Links
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| Clam-shell front is typical for Olympus compacts |
- The definitive XA site (includes manuals)
- Classic Cameras overview
- Matt Denton's XA and XA2 pages
- Karen Nakamura's overview
- The Other Martin Taylor's overview
- Dante Stella's overview
- Chris Lee's history of the XA detailed in the XA Way
- XA, XA2, XA1, XA3 in the Olympus Global History.
- Maitani Yoshihisa and the cult of Olympus at Classic Cameras by RaúlM.
In French:
- XA, XA2, XA French user manual on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand
- Lionel's Olympus XA, XA-1, XA-2, XA-3, XA-4 pages at 35mm-compact.com
- XA and XA2 in G. Even's collection.
In Japanese:
Photos
- Random XA photos at pbase.com
- Photos taken with the XA by the other Martin Taylor
- Photobooks by Edwin Mak. Travel photography and Psychogeographic ephemera shot entirely on Olympus XA4.
| Classic Compact Cameras |
|---|
| Canon IXUS | Minox 35 | Olympus XA | Penti |
| Olympus Classic Cameras |
|---|
| Semi | Semi II | Six | Chrome Six | Flex | Standard | 35 | Ace | Pen | Pen F | FTL | OM-1/2/3/4 | OM-10/20/30/40 | Trip | µ (mju:) | XA |
- ↑ The name is given in the Japanese order, with family name followed by the given name.
