July 18, 2017 - Test Roll OLYMPUS XA2

7/19/2017 03:08:00 PM

July 18, 2017 - Test Roll OLYMPUS XA2

TESTING THE OLYMPUS XA2

Well, it finally happened. I was able to score an Olympus XA2 at a local camera store (of all places) while visiting the motherland in Williamsport, PA. Hoyers Photo has been in the business for 80+ years, and they had recently moved to a new location from downtown, to a few blocks from downtown Williamsport.

Our last trip to Williamsport was just a couple of weeks ago, but I had attempted to get some Rodinal for developing my black and white film photos (since it lasts forever and produces nice grain). When I asked the owner, Rob Colley, he gave a quizzical look, along with the 'you're not from here, are you?' line.

We talked shop for a few minutes, and amazingly he gave me his Omega 11x14 Photographic Enlarger that was in his supply area of 'non used equipment' in the cellar. It was pretty easy to transport home in the minivan. Not portable by any means, but our trip was 18 hours so we'd manage as long as we could take turns sleeping while the vehicle was in motion.

I couldn't just leave empty handed after this awesome owner just up and gave me an enlarger, so I found, lo-and-behold an Olympus Xa2, behind the glass, slightly worn on the back side, with unfortunately no A11 flash. The camera was in good shape, and when I tried to slide the cover it stuck a little bit. I was able to fix this very small issue with a dab of wd40 on a q-tip. Once the slider started working freely, I was able to load a roll of HP5 400 b/w inside the back. My friend down south has an XA he found a local thrift for $3 with flash. I wasn't that lucky, but considering I got an approximate $175-375 photo enlarger for free, the $26 I spent on the camera and film was a win in my book. All the enlarger needs is a negative tray--one which the owner is searching and one which, if I need to purchase, can be found on Ebay for approx $28.

Back to the XA2. I got it home, did some very minor cleaning, checked the lens, noticed the green light come on in the dimly lit living room (green meaning camera is prone to shake due to dark conditions and slow shutter speed-go figure) and fired off a test shot. The shutter clicked. I advanced the film easily--no sticks on that either. This was looking to be a great purchase.

I was excited to use my 24 exposure roll and started shooting immediately. We went my uncle/aunt's house on the creek in Trout Run and I was able to shoot about 15 shots. When we got home, our monthly slow-ride was two days later--I knew I would be able to finish the roll by then and develop the results, hoping my developer wasn't too far gone as I'd been storing it in a gallon container for the past 5 months--in the dark, but in the warmer climate of the add on bathroom.

Apparently that was not a problem as I was able to get that roll, and an older roll of Ultrafine Xtreme Bw 100 developed in the same tank, under minimal times, due to temp of developer being a nice 77.6 degrees. I was happy with the results when I was able to hold the camera steady and actually compose. You'll probably be able to tell which ones were hastily taken--guess it was the excitement of owning this gem. Also, unlike my friend Scott's XA, this is not a hare-trigger shutter button. You actually have to press it just a little bit--not much, but no accidental shutters--this is a good thing. I'm very impressed with this late 70's camera--moreso than my Stylus Epic or Epic zoom just because you can choose the film speed and there are a couple of manual features. I'm actually considering getting rid of one of my other point and shoots now--we'll have to see what comes of it.

My XA2 and enlarger: