International Camera Museum : Blue Moon Camera and Machine

Shop
Equipment
Film and Supplies
Sale Items
Typewriters
- Portable
- Desktop
- Other
Sundries
eBay
- eBay Outlet
Photo Lab
Culture
Sell Your Gear

- Log In / Sign Up

Shop

Back

Equipment

Back 35mm Cameras Point & Shoot 35mm Cameras Medium Format Cameras Large Format Cameras Lenses Lens Filters Tripods Light Meters Bags & Cases Darkroom Enlargers All Darkroom Equipment

Film & Supplies

Back Film Paper Chemistry Batteries Storage & Archiving Cleaning Accessories

Typewriters

Back Portable Desktop Other

Sundries

Back Apparel & Swag Books & Magazines Gift Certificates

Sale Items eBay Store

Photo Lab

Back Send Us Your Film Photo Lab Services Pricing Services FAQ Mailing Your Film FAQ Printable Order Form Printable Services Pricelist Digital Printing Image Analyzer

Sell Your Gear

Back Sell Your Gear Consignments: How it Works Consignment FAQ

Culture

Back Museum Codex Meet the Staff Customer Shows Social Landing Page Press Links Manifesto E-Mail Newsletter Signup

Support

Back Consignment FAQ Shipping FAQ Privacy Policy Return Policy

Account

Back Log In/Register

Get Social

Back Instagram Facebook X / Twitter Discord

Return to Museum Home

Olympus XA

A legendary camera designed by a legendary man. The Olympus XA is the brainchild of famed Olympus camera designer Yoshihisa Maitani and was produced between 1979 and 1985.

It is a fixed lens rangefinder camera that exposes via aperture priority. The camera has an ultra sharp Zuiko 35mm f/2.8 lens, is only 4 inches long, 2.5 inches tall and 7 ounces in weight (without the accessory flash).

This is one of the ultimate pocket rangefinder cameras that you can find.

za/js

Kodak Tri-X 35mm Sample Gallery - Olympus XA

Sample gallery images made on Kodak Tri-X with an Olympus XA by staff member, Zeb Andrews.

Olympus XA

It may sound odd to say, and it may ruffle some feathers to say it, but we are kind of glad to see the Olympus XA fetching the prices it does these days.

Now, before you grumble, "Well, of course you're happy, you are a camera store after all" we'll point out that it has nothing to do with profit and everything to do with our appreciation of this camera.

Let us explain.

We have been in business for almost two decades now. We were there at the start of the digital revolution and we were there through film's darkest days and we have been here for the renaissance that film cameras have enjoyed. One facet to this experience is that for a time we worked with film cameras that were amazing, but too few others thought so. Mamiya RB67 bodies for $100. Hasselblad 500c camera kits for $500. And Olympus XA cameras for less than $100. This helped our bank accounts but hurt our hearts to see these cameras undervalued so. How criminal is it that one of the best medium format studio cameras ever in the RB67 sold for less than some high end filters going on DSLR cameras?

We love the XA... we love our all of our XA cameras. Several of our staff have carried them for years, and at least one of those staff members has taken his around the world. It is the kind of camera that you can go years without ever hearing of, then when you do learn of its existence you cannot believe you didn't know of it sooner. We had the XA pictured here in stock at $275 and this post was originally written for it, but then it sold. Like usual. They go fast. They should.

Yes, that higher price means the camera is no longer a bargain (but it kind of still is), and that we might have to save up for it. But we also have known for a long time now that the XA is so worth it and we admit we are pleased to see film cameras being so valued. We say this as film photographers, not as camera store salespeople. The under-valuing of the cameras we love almost meant we lost film photography. We are hoping this new higher evaluation helps ensure we get to enjoy it for much time to come.

za/js

Olympus XA: Yet Another Reason Why We Say Yes to Film

"Why film?" We've all heard it. And we've all subsequently struggled to articulate the perfect answer that encompasses the countless reasons why we prefer analog.

Here's a good one. That elegant little camera lurking in the young man's jacket pocket? It's older than he is, and still works just fine.

Want to keep talking this through? Want some more of what Blue Moon Camera would say when asked this question?

Click on the link to find out.

"The Permanence of the Analog Kit" by our own Katt Merilo is up on our Codex now, giving you a few of our reasons why. ⠀

za/js

Olympus XA

"Shuttered eyes,
undo your cave darkness
pull into sight the sun-blotted trees."

- Spencer Pond

Olympus XA

The Olympus XA... it is a camera we often see in our shop and each time we do, we are reminded of just how much we love this little rangefinder. Put an excellent Zuiko 35mm f/2.8 lens in a sturdy, yet compact, camera body, add an easy-to-use rangefinder and aperture-priority exposure, and you have the recipe for one of the best 35mm cameras ever made.

za/sd

Olympus XA and its Traditional Diet of Film

We're not sure what you would call a grouping of Olympus XA/XA2 cameras. Our vote would be for calling them a "Maitani" of XAs.

In this case, perhaps an XA avalanche...

⠀ ⠀

Sneaky XA

Want a really really good pocket 35mm rangefinder? Find yourself an Olympus XA. Small, fast, sharp. While there are several variations, the consensus amongst the staff easily favors the original over the 1,2,3 and 4 models that came later.

The Compact Perfection of the Olympus XA

We've said it before but some things are well worth repeating; the Olympus XA is one of the best pocket street cameras out there.

The Olympus XA Doesn't Play Games

There are certain cameras that pop up frequently in our Museum. Of course, the Hasselblad 500C comes to mind, as well as the Zero Image 2000 and the Olympus XA. The reason is simple. Our Museum has many purposes, part education on esoteric gear, part sales pitch, and part celebrating the love of film. We are always looking for new content and new ways to commemorate the cameras we have encountered. As a result, those cameras that we personally carry get featured more often... what better endorsement could you want? While we have an entire store of cameras to buy, borrow or test, these select few cameras are the ones we personally carry with us, wherever we go.

za/sd

XA In The Frost

It was a chilly morning this morning. Thankfully cameras like the XA are quick little buggers, minimizing the time that your hands are not nestled warmly in pockets.

Olympus XA

The Olympus XA - your go-anywhere camera. Some cameras get featured on here repeatedly because they are the cameras owned - and therefore loved - by our staff. Several of us have our own XA and that should be a significant indicator right there as to the camera's qualities.

za/sd