the BEST journal 35mm camera | Olympus XA REVIEW & GIVEAWAY

[@AnalogInsights]

OMG. Thank you so much for the shout-out, Matt. I really, really appreciate it! You are one of the reasons why I started my channel back then. Seeing you recommend our video and channel Analog Insights means quite a bit to me. Thanks and stay healthy!

[@taylornoel]

You and Matt have both been inspirational for me as well! Hope you’re keeping safe out there.

[@PhilKnall]

Cool to see this shout out, you guys have been doing amazing work on your channel!

[@FunLovinB]

My two favorite photography channels, always practical and objective advice.

[@yavuzyilmaz_01]

It’s good seeing both of my fav channels are also enjoying each other’s content ☺️☺️☺️

[@CertifiedZeldafan]

I love your videos as well! Great work.

[@meirellestb]

I feel like I'm quarentening with Matt Day, like I'm constantly hearing his voice at home! Cheers Matt!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Such a cool little camera, and I love the idea of having it as a ‘journal’ in your pocket. Inspired me to pick one of these up dude! 🙌

[@peskymacaw9033]

The XA also appears in FLCL, it was one of Mamimi's cameras (the other was an Olympus OM-2)

[@KelsomaticPDX]

Whoa, never noticed that. Looks like it's definitely modeled on the XA2.

[@TheKetchupPacket]

FLCL ! now I definitely need an XA

[@elizachin6934]

This video was just so lovely and warm for the heart - the generousity of the community, the fact this camera has such a history of generousity, Matt’s generousity in acknowledgments - and of course, that comparison to a pocket notebook. Thanks for those ten minutes.

[@AntaresDnB]

They say the best camera is the one you have with you...With this little guy I can always have one of my favorite cameras with me at all times.

[@estebang5741]

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you aren't close enough" -Robert Capa

[@ishaansinghmehta]

love how you manage to separate what's going on in the world from your content, matt. that's something we all need. normalcy. as always, great video! i'd love to own that bad boy!

[@batemanlewis5457]

My favorite quote as of late is one that I think applies to all art, "It's all too easy to be satisfied with glimmers of intuition, rather than sound, coherent reasoning," which was said by Andrey Tarkovsky the film director of Solaris. Coming up with your personal artistic expression takes time to cultivate. Sometimes I find myself jumping on an idea that excites me but ultimately leads nowhere. This quote always reminds me to be patient.

[@kramkram07]

The XA is the field notes of cameras. My take away, and now I need one.

[@danieldijo]

haha, it can be more than that

[@deecalason]

I would say this is the perfect little “document your life” camera!!

[@ianjanoska4397]

I love my XA2 that my dad gave to me, sick little camera. I do like how the XA has the manual focus as opposed to the zone focus system the XA2 has. Sick video Matt!

[@danieldijo]

Yeah they got it right first time

[@niallmurphy9376]

my dad bought this camera, maby forty years ago. And i am holding it now. and i am pretty sure it still works. this is gonna be a freaking blast to learn how to work.

[@danieldijo]

gang

[@adriannacheung9198]

"The role of the artist is exactly the same role of the lover. If I love you, I have to make you conscious of things you don’t see." - James Baldwin

[@helloitsmeKP2]

He also said “To be sensual, I think, is to respect and rejoice in the force of life, of life itself, and to be present in all that one does, from the effort of loving to the breaking of bread”

[@leavingleftgoinggone7528]

I’m so glad this camera is getting the credit it deserves. Seriously, the crispy pocket photos are insane. Even if you don’t end up winning the giveaway, it’s worth the cash.

[@tjs0179]

“Sometimes I’ll start a sentence and I don’t even know where it’s going. I just hope I find it along the way” ~Michael Scott Love your content, and love your work. Cheers!

[@Beakphoto]

The XA is really having its moment in the sun! Starting to understand why.

[@ianhh23]

Brian Kerrigan what do you mean?

[@randallstewart175]

@@ianhh23 Maybe what he means is that the XA may be the most over hyped camera on the market. When they stopped making it in 1985, the used price went from $50 to $175 - 225, driven by collectors mainly. After a couple of years, reason returned to the market, and prices for the XA collapsed back to around $50, where it stayed until the hyping process over the last four or five years. Anyone who pays $200 for an XA now and tries to use it as a primary film camera will hit its limitations like a brick wall. (No real exposure control; a lens designed to squeeze into the thin body rather than for optical performance - Oly never used that design again, nor has anyone else, it vignette like crazy and is not very sharp at any speed.And, the dim viewfinder makes the focusing almost pointless.). It's ergonomics are outstanding, which makes it the perfect vacation snaps camera and a field record shooter. Trying to make more of it than that is a total self-indulgence.

[@f.l.o.y.d_p.e.p.p.e.r]

One of the best cameras ever. Had it for years, inherited from my dad. Would be awesome to be able to shoot it again!! Thanks for this video!

[@casellsjr89]

“Sharpness is a bourgeois concept” - Henri Cartier-Bresson

[@MarsKvaratskhelia]

😂 exactly he has been here in Soviet Tbilisi taking pictures

[@bobselektor]

The most underrated camera ever. Too bad the price will skyrocket after this video.

[@81springbrook96]

maybe not, because there are SO many still out there

[@Obgavin10]

The price is already pretty high, especially for the original XA model. I managed to get mine on Etsy for a little over $100 though. You just gotta do some digging

[@hmApollo101]

You can get the XA2 pretty easily at a good price. I got mine at a thrift shop for 2.99

[@LOZ8619]

@@hmApollo101 yes, but the xa2 does not have a rangefinder^^

[@Buecherwurm_8]

Yeah thanks I save long for it and probably soon will never be able to afford it because of this :/

[@jaemie717]

I love how insightful your channel is without making someone who is a beginner like myself, feel inadequate about their knowledge. Thank you!

[@seanryan9838]

That camera reminds me of the 80’s at my grandmother’s house. Her pictures were crap, but she just took family snaps.

[@9000tastebuds]

“Doesn’t have to be anything specific, just leave a comment” -Matt

[@Lexwarren]

I love people like you who have kept 35mm alive

[@mohammadsuleman9065]

Rangefinder cameras always seemed intimidating to me, this one seems like a nice one to try rangefinders out and experiment with

[@leicavirgin2088]

Just when I promised myself I'd take a break from buying cameras...

[@taylornoel]

leica virgin basically my reaction every time I get on the internet tbh

[@SAGGING_GUT]

You are silly if you do not own this camera. It is simply unbeatable for size and it is incredibly affordable for 95% of people.

[@notmakswell]

Hell yeah, I got into photography sophomore year and actually started with film, and you, Willem Verbeeck, and NegativeFeedback were the ones who made me want to continue, to be patient with myself, and to learn more and more about the subject! I know it's only been a year, but I feel like I've come so far. I'm glad to see you giving back to the community, you deserve everything you've got!

[@joshvrolyk]

A quote from the Analog Talk podcast episode with Taylar Stauss, “If it’s not a f*** yes, it’s a no, and if it’s a no, be honest about why” is one of my favorites. It’s my craft, it’s my hobby, so why would I do it if I don’t want to?

[@Mischa.b.c]

Thank's for the "its a normal day"-Moment what we all needed. Greetings from Germany and "bleib Gesund" (stay healthy)

[@kostyafedot551]

I started my street photography for real with this camera. It was purchased used. First, in VF exposure indicator quit. Camera lasted for more than one year after it and then exposure meter went kaput. With wrist tie (strap) and kept in the belt pouch, if pulled by the tie from the pouch, it will open the shelf and pre-focus on mid distance. Colt kind of handling. Electrical insulation tape over shutter button makes it less sensitive. Once this camera will stop working (due to too small electronics which are aged now), do not put it on recycle without removing of VF. I use it on my LTM cameras with 35 mm lens. It even works with 28mm for entire frame.

[@nathandewey1801]

I just got my xa for a great deal (at least by 2020 standards) and am so exited to shoot it for my upcoming trip.

[@danieldijo]

$5 ?

[@nathandewey1801]

@@danieldijo sadly not even close

[@danieldijo]

@@nathandewey1801 Damn, I got mine for that with flash and case.

[@nathandewey1801]

@@danieldijo man that’s great. I got mine for $130 with the flash and original box. At least if I happen to sell it I can make a profit.

[@danieldijo]

@@nathandewey1801 Yeah as long as you keep working condition we can always make a profit on these cameras. I shift a lot and get lucky! if you ever have one break let me know. Might find one for you

[@mynameisjonas80]

I've had the XA saved in my eBay searches for years, but never actually pulled the trigger. Maybe now I won't have to? :)

[@richardstarr407]

I've had a lot of cameras and I still have many of them. This little guy has a special cubby in my heart. I now struggle to hold up a lovely Nikon D750. But back when the XA was new, I spent two summers in Europe on a bicycle.and the XA was the only way to assure quality photos and practically zero weight. I lie; I also carried a Petri Color 35 for daytime shots. The XA and to Petri could both fit on my hand at the same time. Both have excellent 35mm f/3.5 lenses. For low light, museums and cathedrals for example, the XA was perfect, with 1000 asa negative film. In daylight the Petri, which had a match needle exposure meter and zone focusing, was perfect for the bright light and Kodak medium speed negative film, when mid range f stops made zone focusing practical. Decades after my wonderful trips, I scanned most of the negatives from both cameras and made some lovely digital prints. And these images stand up well in one-off books (I use Blurb.). End of love letter. One more thing. The XA range of cameras has some strengths and weaknesses. Some are no better than toys. Except for the XA4 which didn't need a rangefinder with its 28mm lens. A real treat to use. I actually still have one, but I bet these are hard to find in shops. There are a number of them on Ebay though.

[@Excalibr101]

"doesn't need to be anything specific" "I'll pin it so you know you won" Well great now I need to make sure it isn't anything dumb in case it gets pinned.

[@vermontmike9800]

The XA out-classes the “boutique” cameras (I.e. Contaxes, Leica Miniluxes, etc)

[@rf8221]

I don't know about that friend. The Minilux is reeaaal nice, like really nice. I will say that I don't take it out as much as I wouldn't want to treat it as my daily driver.

[@GregoryVeizades]

As someone who inherited both a Contax T and a T2, they are great but certainly not without their faults. The lenses are what you get a Contax for. Also the slimness and durability (of the shell.)

[@randallstewart175]

Who knows what comparison this person is using, but lens sharpness is not one of them. The lens on the XA is adequate for the "record keeping" of Matt or snap shooting, but huge fall off in contrast and sharpness away from the image center and what may be the most vignetting every allowed in a 35mm full frame camera puts the XA well out of the top tier of point-n-shoots. That said, it is prefect for what it was intended.

[@bfs5113]

Personally, I found it more a novelty camera. I was sold by its concept and design (but not the flash) at the beginning and I bought one when it was released. While I usually keep all my cameras, but the XA was one of the exceptions, that I sold it months after.

[@justmoe7742]

A aperture priority camera is just calming to use. you can just go and DO it. pick the subject, select the focus and you are good to go. I love that on a Yashica electro 35, a XA would be fun to use aswell!

[@J.ortegadesign]

"When you're drinking beer, the beer is getting drunk too"

[@carolinaclaudino1097]

“In photography there is a reality so subtle that it becomes more real than reality.” - Alfred Stieglitz

[@danieldijo]

wow

[@stephanievargas3047]

Thank you for addressing the issue! I think we all appreciate you for sticking to the content and helping us escape the chaos going on in the world ! I think especially now I find myself appreciating the pictures I captured before and I’m excited to see how we will come together afterwards !👍🏻

[@peterplanta246]

My mom used to have one of these too. Thanks so much, Matt. I love all that you do for the analog photography community.

[@ChampionDynamic]

Thanks for sharing this video in the midst of these crazy circumstances! It’s comforting to still have these videos about a medium we all love.

[@kaheab8880]

I’m a student pilot and carry an XA2 in the cramped Cessna 172 cockpit. Mine has some issues but love how intuitive the XA’s are

[@johanmatto]

In for the Olympus! Thanks Matt (and those who came before you), incredible how that XA goes around. May it continue til it breaks!

[@makylahw9639]

While in quarantine I've been photographing my family and our everyday Shenanigans, and this little camera would be so fun to play around with while spending all this time together

[@kevbarreto]

Super cool that everyone in the community came together to give the camera forward with the flash and all. Awesome to see, awesome video.

[@tiffdtate]

I’ve heard great things about the XA and I think it’s awesome that all of you wanted to let us experience it’s use. It’s just another example why I love the photography community. Thanks 🤓

[@crelaura]

I have to say - you have such a calming presence... Thank you for this video and I hope you and your family are healthy and happy

[@davidfriend5808]

Thanks for keeping some normalcy with your videos during these times! We need it now more than ever.

[@pdx503]

I found mine at the goodwill for 35 bucks. Needed the light seals replaced and have used it since. I also got it autographed by Ed Templeton when he was in town for a book signing. It’s now one of my most loved cameras.

[@gameloozer731]

I figure the best camera is the one that you’re inspired to pick up and shoot film with. I almost always grab my XA when leaving the house. It’s so small there’s no reason not to pocket it. I usually zone focus and stop down with people, as the rangefinder is slow to use. I love the look of it’s images, I think the XA has a signature look, though I don’t know how to describe what it is

[@jshanni2066]

Excellent little review, Matt. I've tended to ignore the XA over the years. I probably shouldn't have, because I love the Oly Trip 35, and the XA offers far more control. Thanks for sharing in tough times.

[@hughwhullphotography6148]

My father had that camera many years ago when it first came out. I always thought it was an amazing design, clamshell, pocketable!

[@olacrau]

I was surprised when saw the photos, that little camera it's a beast. I thought that it was just another point and shoot, but the fact that you can have control of the focous its amazing! Cheers from Portugal and Stay Safe everyone.

[@KasperPihl]

Great review. To me the XA looks like a perfect mix between an Olympus OM and a point and shoot … Matanei was a genius.

[@danieldijo]

he was!

The XA is one of the most fun cameras I’ve ever tried, it’s a lovely pocket camera that has amazing capability. IMHO it’s a far better package than most trendy premium point-n-shoots

[@earlymusicmaker]

Great to see this little gem having its day. Thanks a ton for offering this out to the community!

[@eligriggs9221]

Nice video rundown on the XA, a true classic that deserves to be set to go in the pockets of photographers, 24/7.

[@Jessemjohnston]

This is the perfect little camera to keep in a jacket pocket while riding a motorcycle. Thanks for the review

[@saintvallen123]

I just finished my first roll of film today, and I'm sooo so excited to have it developed at some point! It won't be before I return to my home country when all things have settled, but that just makes it that much more fun! Thank you for all the encouraging videos Matt, really hope you and your family will go through this ordeal safely!

[@scottsymes]

Solid review. I LOVED my old XA. Very sad day when it died. The final photo you showed from it which was a darkened restaurant window with some golden lights in it... such a classic XA photo to me. Instantly recognizable. Awesome deep color and heavy vignetting. 👍🏻

[@idreaminsurfgreen5327]

YES! I've been waiting for a good review on the XA and then you and Max both came through.

[@randomvacay2684]

I like that you can still get a lil technical while not having to think so much.

[@JonKurtz]

I’ve been shooting my Pentax ME Super durning these stressful and bizarre times, looking forward to seeing the developed film when my local lab is back open. I’m so intrigued to see what I found inspiring while navigating this time of our life. Thanks for the wonderful review Matt. I’ve had the XA eyed for awhile. What a wonderful little wonder of camera engineering.

[@VargasKoch]

I have had an XA for a couple of years. The film counter and battery selfcheck (requires soldering "for ants" to fix) isn't working properly, but it's a great little camera for pocket carry and with a very nice lens. I like mine so much, I just had to get another one. Today I receive one in a very good condition (working film counter and self check) with the A11 flash (the attachment screw is chipped, but in full working order) that I got for $36 shipped. A crazy deal!

[@aaronsweeney9253]

Glad you’re still gonna be making videos. Much love

[@williegates0]

Thanks Matt, you've literally are the OG of the film youtube community!!

[@ralphbrandi]

Love my XA. Been wanting one for years, finally found one at World of Photography in Columbus on a visit last summer. You nailed the draw of the camera, the lack of friction. It's soooooo easy to just keep in my backpack and always have with me. Definitely took over as my go-to 35mm camera from the Canonet G-III QL17 I was using for everything 35mm before (although that's still a fun camera too).

[@TonyWodarck]

Yessss keep making your content in these times. Hope you and your fam are staying safe and healthy. Great review as always!

[@tomw0815]

Nice little camera. Some years ago it failed in a very very rainy and wet vacation because electronics are a bit sensitive. When completely dryed it worked again perfectly. Still have the camera but it's not used so much because I prefer the Konica Hexar AF as a visual travel notebook.

[@domste]

What an hidden gem of a camera, I never thought that under that small plastic shell there would be that level of control! I enjoy shooting my old trip35 because I can rely on manual focus (even if zone) but the aperture control on the XA puts it in a nice spot in between fully-manual cameras and point and shoot ones

[@PeterLundblad_life]

perfect timing on this review! I literally picked up this camera for FREE yesterday!! fingers crossed it still works

[@danieldijo]

Awesome hope it works!

[@RoryGamble]

I sold mine because I thought the viewfinder was too small. Now I realise that it was only too small for a main camera, but perfect as a carry camera for times when you want something small. I look back on some of the photos and realise that lens has a great look to it.

[@alexguevara1859]

Got a chance to use an xa and xa2 once. Loved the feel. Never used it with the flash. Looking forward to seeing yours with the flash. Thanks for sharing the pics! Love the channel.

[@albino7367]

This is RAAAAD. I actually found an XA without a rewind knob in a thrift store once. I still have it, but can't find a replacement or workaround for the missing knob. Great video! Love the camera despite never putting a roll through it haha.

[@noximera1778]

Document your life. Always. Thank you, Matt.

[@lomenzor]

I started getting into photography recently and had just bought a camera when this whole corona thing started going on, so I've been using this time locked in the house to learn as much as I can about film photography from your channel and others in the film photography community in youtube, so thanks for this amazing resource, Matt!

[@donding6]

Absolutely love you, AI, Sean Tucker and Willem’s videos. It inspired me to pick up my AE-1 again.

[@terrywbreedlove]

Just started looking into small pocket size cameras. 35mm lens is my favorite focal length and this Olympus has both pocket size and a 35mm lens. Bonus looking online it is very affordable to boot.

[@keithswindell6212]

The XA is adorable, I worked in the photo department of a Northeast based chain store called Caldor in high school. We sold these along with many other consumer focused cameras, they were moderately popular, but not nearly as popular as the Canon AE-1.

[@jayflexi]

I've been shopping around for a film point & shoot for a lot of time, and all the Olympus line cameras seem super nice!

[@SuperJimic]

Great video Matt. Looking to get one of these for a short while now. A new to venture into analog film for the nice weather coming and documenting the summer with my baby daughter.

[@rizqiramadhan1619]

Thank you Matt for sharing this review. I used to avoid shooting with Point and Shoot Camera for the "focusing trust issues". Now, I start to consider buying/looking for one just in case I found something nice when I'm strolling around. Stay safe and healthy everyone

[@tylerstenvall839]

The XA seems like such a sick camera. Would love to try one out some day. Keep up the videos Matt, need as many film photography videos as possible to binge on whilst this whole thing is going on!

[@helloitsmeKP2]

I'm personally a big fan of this journal style type of photography. It's always when I don't have my SLR that I see something that I want to photograph. I've had various other point and shoots/rangefinders but I haven't found the one yet. I've had my eye on the XA for a while now. It seems like a timeless camera. Very modern finish with the same amazing film look we all love and at the perfect pocket size.

[@veacalpotura6346]

Hope you and your family are safe! Enjoying your content especially these trying times. More power!

[@TheHaaariz]

Great review, been researching this camera for a while. now I have a credible source making me love the camera and photography in general even more.

[@dtp8080]

A friend let me borrow one of these one time. I was really excited to shoot with it at a party and at the last second I found out the shutter button was busted. I've still never been able to use one of these but the lens looks amazing!

[@colliefleur]

Ok I am in love with this camera after watching this review! Compact, manual control, amazing images, love the idea of the journal camera! Need this in my life!

[@petealcantara3111]

Great review. Never ever expected manual controls in a point and shoot. Thanks for sharing.

[@chrisnovakowski9827]

Hi Matt, great video! I'm just about to pick up an Olympus XA with A11 flash & thought I'd watch your video first. Here's hoping that the camera functions as well as it looks. Chris

[@stephaniecardenas4325]

Thanks for bringing some normalcy during this time. This camera is beautiful. Lovely pictures.

[@turnerthaiger283]

Great results with the XA, what I saw so far from your shots..would luv to own that little thing..exactly what I'm missing!

[@itsbrandonlopez]

The XA seems like a great little camera! I agree, don’t want to trust a point and shoot with autofocus, this little guy seems to fit the bill perfectly!

[@caseycaizza5]

Hell yeah great vid! Fingers crossed for the camera!

[@tomscanlon6463]

I shot with this camera when it was new.Hundreds of rolls of Tri X. They are kind of fragile ( the sliding door breaks at the bottom ) so I had a few. Loved it. I have one now, Broken slide, but I can use it if I an very Careful.

[@DixonLu]

I read somewhere that Maitani-san designed this camera so a mother could shoot her children without fuzz because he saw how his SLRs were difficult to use for mothers in his neighborhood. Also to reduce camera shake, he designed the electronic shutter. Epitome of thoughtful design.

[@jtlespaul59]

I have always had my eye on the XA. It’s seems like the perfect pocket rangefinder.

[@danieldijo]

perfect it is

[@JokerDoflamingo_]

Thanks a lot. Been looking for camera options, now just have to wait for this quarantine to end to go out and shoot.

[@jbradfordphoto]

Haha, glad to see you're doing well and also cool to see ya mentioning Analog Insights. Those guys are unmatched when it comes to giving you ALL the info in their reviews, haha. The man does his research. I've been eyeballing an XA forever, just never have been able to justify one yet.

[@CindrieRohir]

Thank you for all that you do. A "normal" video really raises spirits.