XA2 first pix

[olroy2044]

Got back the first roll from the "new" XA2. Results were mixed, to say the least. The camera seems to have a variety of issues, ranging from a light leak,

to a problem with the flash synch. I believe that the flash unit is supposed to set the shutter speed when it is turned on. On my example, the shutter continues to respond to the meter, creating ghost images in flash pix.

All that being said, however, the camera appears to be well built, and other images show that it has potential.

First shot


Available light


Tweaked the ASA setting to get this-full sun on the clock face, deep shade behind it


I volunteer at a local Air Musuem. These are two of our project aircraft. A Lockheed P2V subchaser, and a F-1 racer


Pastel sky


Think I'll give it a new set of seals and give it another chance ;D
Will have to research the shutter/synch thing some more. Comments? Thanks for looking. Roy

[Dave]

I don'tt use the flash on my XA2 very often. I do have the manual for the XA2 and the A11 flash, which I think is the most common. The XA2 manual simply says that mounting the flash and turning it on will automatically place the camera in flash mode. Set the flash to either 100 or 400, whichever is the nearest to the film speed. The "full" setting is for use only with the XA. The auto flash is f4 at 1/30 or faster. Since this is not a focal plane shutter, shutter speed should not be a factor in syncronizing the flash.

I hope this helps.

I have the XA, XA1, XA2, XA3 and XA4, and the A11 and A16 flash. All have been great. I have replaced the light seals on several of them. That has not been difficult and after doing it, I have had no light leaks.

Dave

[olroy2044]

The A11 flash is the one that I have. I read in a manual for the XA that the "full power" setting on the flash (on the XA) was mainly for fill use where one would select the aperture manually, and use the flash for fill. The shutter apparently continues to react to the meter on that setting on the XA. It seems as though that is what is happening on my XA2, even though the flash is not on full power. When I fire the camera, with the flash "on" in very low light, you hear two distinct clicks from the shutter, one as it opens, and another as it closes. The flash fires on the second click. The pictures look like available light photos, with movement blurs and a sharp image in the middle. With the back open, you can see the shutter open, and as it makes the second click, and the flash fires, you can see the flash through the lens. I don't know if the link between the flash and the camera is strictly electronic or electro-mechanical. Gonna have to dig for the info. Not anxious to go digging around inside in the blind.
Roy

[speedy]

I have the XA, XA2, and XA4, and the A11 and A16 flash. I have been shooting these cameras since the early 1980's when I got purchased my first XA2 from J.C. Penney's! I have often been astonished at the capabiilties of these wonderful little cameras.

Went out shooting yesterday with one of my XA's and my one of my Rollei 35SE.

Good Light
Speedy