Still working out how I want to present this 35 camera project. I think it's safe to say that no 2 posts will be alike. I won't being doing anything scientific or anything that should be construed as a camera "review." I just don't need the grief of all the smarterthanmefolks out there pointing out the flaws in my methodology. Suffice it to say, I have no methodology. I'm just going to shoot how and what I feel like shooting, and share what I feel like sharing. Of course, if you have specific questions, I'll be glad to take a stab at them.
On to the first victim. In my hand I have the better of the two examples of Olympus XA2 from the 35 cameras lot. Looks really nice actually, and seems completely functional. Let's run down a few characteristics of the XA2.
Very nice 35mm f3.5 lens.
Clamshell design (plenty pocketable)
Electronic shutter release (just a tiny "click")
Zone focusing (Yep, guesstimation)
Fully auto exposure
ISO range 25-800
Available, attachable, flash (mine works, not shown)
Solid, mostly metal construction
Small
After some debate and a momentary lapse of reason, when I considered shooting 50 iso through this zone focuser, I've loaded a roll of expired Tri-X and set the camera iso to 800. My plan is to carry this little thing everywhere and probably take a lot of indoor shots. Stay tuned for pics of my wife and kids eating out, riveting stuff it'll be for sure. The 800 iso will help me hand hold in dark light and maximize my DOF for close up zone focus in available light. I'm more than a little apprehensive that I won't get much in the way of sharp images due to bad focus...but, I've gotta try.
Stay tuned for results...but don't hold your breath. I'll likely be shooting several cameras at a time and finishing the roll might take a bit.
I the mean time, here are some web sites worth visiting for more info on the Olympus XA line of cameras.
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