Olympus XA2 35mm Film Camera with A11 Flash

The Olympus XA2 is an excellent choice if you want a genuinely compact 35mm film camera that is easy to carry and fast to operate. Unlike a traditional SLR, there are no interchangeable lenses or complicated exposure settings to manage. The camera automatically selects the shutter speed and aperture, leaving you to concentrate on focusing, composition and the moment. The fixed 35mm f/3.5 D.Zuiko lens is particularly versatile. A 35mm focal length works well for street scenes, travel, architecture, environmental portraits, groups and everyday photography. Its three-zone focusing system also makes the XA2 quick to use once you become familiar with the distance settings. The included Olympus A11 flash is an important advantage because it extends the camera's usefulness into indoor and lower-light situations where available light may not be sufficient.

The Olympus XA2 takes standard 35mm / 135 film. It can be used with both colour negative and black & white 35mm film, making it suitable for a wide variety of photographic styles. For general everyday photography, ISO 400 film is an excellent all-round choice because it provides useful flexibility in sunshine, cloud, shade and changing lighting conditions. For brighter outdoor conditions, ISO 100 or ISO 200 film is a good option and can provide finer grain. For black & white photography, ISO 400 films work particularly well with the XA2's street and documentary character. Popular film choices include: Colour Film: Kodak Gold 200, Kodak ColorPlus 200, Kodak UltraMax 400, Kodak Portra 400 and Fujifilm 400. Black & White Film: Ilford HP5 Plus 400, Kentmere Pan 400, Kodak TRI-X 400 and Ilford FP4 Plus 125. The camera's film-speed dial supports ISO 25 to ISO 800, and the ISO must be selected manually after loading the film.

The Olympus D.Zuiko 35mm f/3.5 lens gives the XA2 much of its appeal. It provides a useful combination of compact size, sharpness and contrast while maintaining a natural wide-angle field of view. In daylight, the camera performs particularly well for travel, street photography and everyday snapshots. The programmed automatic exposure system continuously determines an appropriate combination of shutter speed and aperture, allowing photographers to work quickly without manually calculating exposure. The three-zone focusing system prioritises speed and simplicity rather than precise rangefinder-style focusing. Once you learn the near, middle and distant settings, the XA2 can be extremely fast for spontaneous photography. In darker environments, the automatic shutter may select slower speeds. This is where the supplied A11 flash becomes particularly useful for nearby subjects.

Try ISO 400 film first. It offers one of the best combinations of flexibility and image quality for general XA2 photography. Set the correct film speed. The XA2 does not automatically read DX coding, so manually set the ISO to match your film. Learn the three focus zones. Becoming familiar with the near, middle and distant settings will make the camera much quicker to operate. Use the middle setting for general photography. It is a useful starting point for many everyday street and travel subjects. Use the near setting for closer subjects. Select this when photographing people or objects at shorter distances. Use the distant setting for landscapes. Choose it for scenery, buildings and subjects farther away. Watch for slow shutter speeds. In low light, hold the camera firmly to reduce the risk of camera shake. Use the A11 flash indoors. It is particularly useful for parties, restaurants, evening portraits and indoor family photographs. Keep flash subjects fairly close. A small electronic flash is intended for nearby people and objects rather than distant scenery. Move closer for stronger compositions. The XA2 has a fixed 35mm lens rather than a zoom, so use your position to change framing. Keep the clamshell closed when carrying the camera. This protects the lens and keeps the camera ready for pocket or bag storage. Carry spare batteries. The XA2 relies on battery power for its electronic shutter and automatic exposure system. Keep the lens clean. Dust and fingerprints can reduce contrast and image quality. Practise before an important trip or event. Once the focusing system becomes familiar, the Olympus XA2 can be extremely fast and enjoyable to use.