May 6, 2008...3:14 am
Olympus XA2 FTW!
Just got my first rolls out of the Olympus XA2 back, and I’m pretty impressed with what I got. The XA2’s often been compared to the Lomo LC-A because of its size and zone focusing, but I’d probably say that ultimately the two are pretty different. The XA2’s lens is considerably superior, is wider and if I’m not wrong, with a larger aperture (f3.5, I’m told), and comes with a removable flash system (very, very useful).
The LC-A tends to produce more saturated images and more pronounced vignetting (the black/dark edges) as a byproduct of its inferior lens, but many people like that sort of effect. The XA2 does give slightly more-than-average-saturated colours, and gives slight vignetting but the beauty of the lens ensures far greater resolving power than the LC-A. And since blur-ness, saturation and vignetting can be easily reproduced in Photoshop, I’d definitely say I’d go for the XA2 everytime.
Of course, what sealed the deal - a new LC-A goes for about $340 in shops here and about $280 2nd hand. I got my XA2 for $42 shipped off eBay, and even if you were to get a 2nd hand set here (more expensive), it’d just set you back $100-120. I’d say that’s a fair deal for a technically superior camera.
Anyway, I’ll talk more about my feelings on Lomography in general later. Now, for peektures.
Boons vs. Puppy, Hide and Seek
Bestest Thai Lunch
Risked an arm for these shots, just stuck it out of the window on the expressway.
Happy McFun Party, Phebs!
Tiny and his 4-way mirror
Olympus XA2
28mm f3.5
Fuji Superia 400
6 Comments
May 6, 2008 at 8:19 pm
but see, your XA2 isn’t made in russia. that’s what people are paying for. “RUSSIA” WooOOooooOoooo *shivers*
yes i agree the lca is over priced. i hate it because its overpriced.
hahaa i really love the four way mirror. damn hilarious.
May 7, 2008 at 12:16 pm
and yet ironically, lc-a’s (albeit without the “lomography” brand) are available in Russia for 1/10th the price you’ll get elsewhere!
May 30, 2008 at 12:43 am
Hey! Got led over to your blog after having you as a ‘friend’ on friendster.
wonders of web2.0. the pics that you take with the XA2 are brilliant and i love them alot 
thing is do take good and extreme care of the XA2 ya cuz once broken which i really hope not it’ll not be possible to repair it. last time i checked Oly singapore dosen’t carry parts for it anymore and i’ve seen lots of people on the brink of going mad when they heard that their XA2 cannot be revived. Seen the pics on facebook with the OM1 as well. that one hmmm double extra care! happy shooting and i really enjoy looking at your pics 
May 31, 2008 at 11:59 am
hey aloy! thanks for the comments - hahah yah i know the the XA2 is really a mini-wonder, but i think (and hope) it’s pretty robust. anyway i got my one for a real bargain, just SGD42 including shipping on ebay!
June 4, 2008 at 3:42 am
Manna says : I absolutely agree with this !
June 14, 2008 at 1:57 am
agreed, xa2 ftw!
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