iPad Pro for Photographers: First Impressions

I bought the original iPad a few days after it was released, from Apple store number 0001. From the start Apple was on the right track, defining a new product category that was in many ways the most pure computing experience the world had seen.

As much as I loved that the first iPad (and the three others I’ve bough since then), for me it never become much more than a consumption device. Netflix and reading where it saw it’s use.

In 2018, the iPad Pro has it’s first redesign that really makes the 2010 model feel dated and it’s renewed my hope that this can become a serious content creation device. I was invited to a private presentation of the new features and Katrin Eismann of the School of Visual Arts walked us through some advanced photography work flows.

One of the key-takeaways is that Lightroom will be essential for this style of workflow. To manage a collection of raw images, and then have access to them across your devices, there is no better software out there at the moment. It uses the full power of Adobe Camera Raw to give you uncompromised image quality, even when working with a demanding camera like Hasselblad’s X1D. The iPad had no trouble quickly importing and the 50 megapixel raw files using and an off the shelf USB-C card reader, and never broke a sweat while processing them. The hardware is fully prepared to handle any images I throw at it.

If I do run into limitations, it will most likely be in terms of software. iOS has come a long way for iPad, but I do start running into some of it’s limitations right away. One example is that while it had no trouble with a card reader and HDMI adapter, it won’t have same the access to a standard USB drive that you would expect from a laptop. Storage and transpiration of high volumes of large images will still be an obstacle, so I’ll be looking for ways to manage data that can have the same flexibility I’m used to on the desktop.

In 2019, Adobe will be bringing it’s full featured version of Photoshop to iOS and I expect that will really change the landscape. For now, apps like Affinity Photo are presenting a great alternative to Adobe’s industry standards.

One day isn’t enough time for a full review, so I’m going to spend the next few weeks putting the iPad to work. I want to know how it performs in the real world and put together a practical Lightroom based workflow for working with your images on the go.

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A huge thank you to Hasselblad for helping to accommodate this testing, see below for a few photos taken on the Hasselblad X1D and edited on the 2018 iPad Pro.

The iPhone XR Camera

Our first day with the iPhone XR we went exploring the forests of Hamilton, Ontario. After a couple weeks shooting on the iPhone XS, I had a good idea of what to expect. The two phones have identical wide angle cameras, just the telephoto lens is missing on the XR.

The standout feature is clearly Smart HDR, which really takes the dynamic range of these photos to the next level. When Apple talked about the camera advancements at the keynote there was nothing they said to make me expect a real leap this generation, but it turns out that this is the biggest camera advancement we’ve seen in years.

I’ve been shooting comparisons with against the iPhone 7, iPhone X, Pixel 3 and even Canon 5D mkIV, and the XR/XS has really stood out against all of them. Compared to previous iPhones, I especially see more color information in the shadows, and rescued detail in the extreme highlights. The dynamic range seems to reach slightly further than the Pixel 3, and in some cases even the 5D.

I went into a lot more detail about how the new camera works with developer/designer Sebastiaan de With on episode 34 of the podcast. He is the designer of the camera app Halide and had a lot of great insights.

These images have had their colours processed in Lightroom, for a few unedited originals scroll to the bottom.

When people first started testing the new iPhones there was some controversy around the the perceived smoothness in the skin of selfie photos. The amount you see it depends on the lighting conditions but Apple has responded, saying the plan to adjust the way selfies look in an update.

Because Apple is applying it’s extended dynamic range full time, instead processing a photo after you take it, we are seeing huge improvements in features like video, panoramas, and Live Photos. The exception is videos shot over 30 frames per second.

One underrated feature in Live Photos is the ability to create long exposures. The phone even stabilizes your shot so you’re able to get a sharp image even without a tripod.

I didn’t shoot many night photos with the XR, but it has the same improvements I’ve been seeing on the XS. It’s sensor is 30% larger, with improves the noise and colour reproduction in the challenging lighting situations. Again, Smart HDR brings night photos to a new level by preserving detail in the brightly lit windows that I would never have a expected a phone to be capable of.

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Unedited Originals

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iPhone 8 Review

The iPhone X might be stealing the spotlight, but the iPhone 8 is Apple’s shot at their next blockbuster phone. It's design can either be thought of as another round of the same or the final form of this concept. Either way, this isn't a phone that should be easily dismissed.

There are a some unique challenges to comparing smart phone cameras. Most flagship phones have comparable (fantastic) hardware, so a lot of the difference in quality depends on the how their image signal processor uses the data it gets from the sensor. A common misunderstanding I see in other reviews is that when one camera is exposing differently, as in the iPhone/Samsun example, a lot of reviewers might say "The iPhone is is much brighter in the example, so it comes out the winner". As a photographer, it's obvious that the two cameras wanted to expose the scene slightly differently and with a quick swipe of your finger you can change that exposure setting on any photo.

I could write a whole article about how to get the most out of comparison photos, but what I'm seeing in these examples is that the iPhone 8 tends to want to slightly overexpose, and has boosted the saturation of it's colours, especially in the reds. I think this looks great, and most people will probably prefer this look out of camera. 

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iPhone 8 Plus

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Samsung S8

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Samsung S8 Plus

Star Wars - The Force Awakens Review

Because the internet didn't have quite enough opinions and think pieces about the latest Star Wars film, I sat down with Rob Mitchelson to give you an hour long review of it. As always I'm much more efficient at speaking than writing so this one off podcast episode was the best way to get all the ideas out.

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!

We were raised by Star Wars. Many of us were also raised by parents, but to our recollection, it was Star Wars first and foremost. You’re probably a lot like us. Maybe you are part of our generation, young enough to approach the films without any cynicism. You were obliged (forced) to improvise a lightsaber to duel with, making your own sounds- The best one we ever came up with was made of a flashlight and some cellophane. You reenacted scenes, you role-played the characters in your backyard before that was a thing you were allowed to do at conventions. You might have even been blown away by finally seeing the letter-boxed editions of the tapes, catching that frog-lizard dude just on the left of the frame on the way to Jabba’s palace.

Tyler can’t remember first watching Star wars, only the feeling of having watched it for the 20th time, over and over on those VHS tapes. Imagine Tyler as a child, still somehow a beardy photographer, tucked away in a cozy cabin in the woods, staring at a tiny department store-brand television, preparing himself to be a Jedi. 

Rob had some dubs- Illegal Beta dubs, or maybe taped off the TV? Movies took decades to hit the small screen, as far as he remembers. Rob did catch Return of the Jedi in the theatre, already so very familiar with the Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back, but too young to realize what was waiting for him on the big screen. Despite graduating film school, and being a supposed cynical artist, Return of the Jedi remains one of his favourite films, a narrative and visual aha moment.

For people like us particularly, but for all ages of unabashed fans of the Galaxy Far, Far Away, the news a sequel to Star Wars was coming was secretly what we’d been hoping for all along. The theatrical rerelease of the original trilogy was fun (Technically Han didn’t shoot first, because Greedo never shot, so, Han just shot. Bad Han!), and the news of the prequel films was exciting (Rob was not auditioned for Anakin), but not exactly what you’d been wishing for. You’d probably made some foray into the extended universe, role playing games that quantified the speed of the Millennium Falcon and the size of Star Destroyers, endless comics about what Han was doing on a Thursday night between New Hope and Empire (being awesome with Chewie), and trawling the early internet for blog posts about a guy who knew a guy.

With huge expectations on Star Wars: The Force Awakens, making the movie would have been daunting. We imagine JJ Abrams pooping his pants a little, as we all collectively, metaphorically, folded our arms and said “Oh yeah?”. This is a movie which was required, in some respects, to win back our trust from “those prequels”, but at the same time fit in with them. We needed to meet old friends, but also meet new heroes to cheer for, and new bad guys to boo at. We wanted to return home, and yet be surprised. The Force Awakens seemed to walk that line.

In this podcast, we’ll discuss our new heroes, and how quickly we got to like them (pretty quickly). We’ll discuss our new villains, and particularly Kylo Ren and all of his fun-to-watch internal conflict, as well as how he compares to Darth Vader. We spend some time talking about potential character development, potential character backgrounds, and possible secrets- as well as which fan theories don’t matter (Rob even asserts we don’t care if Rey is related to another important Jedi).  We break down the mirrored storyline form A New Hope, and its hits and occasional misses (Yeah, okay, it’s MUCH bigger than the Death Star, we’ll allow it.), as well as the characters in their new roles as echoes of the original trilogy.

If you don’t have an hour, We’re both very satisfied with Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It has a familiar feel, both narratively and visually to the original trilogy, it seems to have heart and yet not take itself too dangerously seriously. 

Tune in, and stay, if you like, for another 30 minutes of meta-narrative discussion too. We’re doing that 2 fingered Jedi-Mind-Trick wave to get you to listen.

- Rob

Guide to the Internet: Photo & Video

We all click dozens of links a day but few of them are worth going back to. Here are the websites that keep me informed about photography, video and other camera nerdery. 

DP Review - The only place you ever need to go for camera reviews. I have never made a camera purchase decision without consulting their reviews first.

The Digital Picture - Definitive and detailed reviews of Canon lenses. Their comparison tool is invaluable when making purchase decisions. 

Peta Pixel - Photography news, opinions and tips. These guys have the best general photo coverage in town and I probably tweet their articles more than anyone else.

Canon Rumors - The name says it all, stay informed about the gear you should be saving up for. If Canon's not your brand Leica, Nikon and Sony fans have great rumor sites too.

F-Stoppers - Photo news with an educational resources. They have great how to articles and videos.

Prolost - A thoughtful blog about the latest in independent video production from filmaker and photographer Stu Maschwitz.

Japan Camera Hunter - Camera porn for film shooters, this site is full of nostalgia and information about cameras of the past.

The Camera Store TV - My local camera store happens to have the best YouTube channel out there talking about gear, and Jordan is also a regular guest on my podcast.

 Stocksy United - I co-founded this site with a bunch of long time colleagues, and license photos that I shoot with my wife Ania. It has the best stock photography anywhere, and I'm not just saying that!

Christmas Gift Guide: 2015

If you're shopping for a special someone who is into clothes, coffee, games or photography, then I hope you'll find some inspiration in my 2015 gift guide. It's a few of my favorite items I bought this year, and a few of my most wanted.

Bread and Boxers basics

A long search for the perfect t-shirt finally lead me to this Swedish brand. They keep it simple and affordable, with a perfect slim fit of shirts, underwear and loungewear.

HARiO V60 COFFEE DRIPPER

Most home made coffee either tastes mediocre or is a pain to make. This elegant porcelain dripper brings out the perfect taste with minimal effort every time.

Gloves, toque & scarf

You didn’t get this far in life without these winter basics, but in case yours need an update you can find these beauties at Banana Republic. The best part is the leather gloves are touch screen ready.

So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed

A hilarious and poignant book about the consequences of the public outrage on the internet. It will give you something to think about next time you feel the impulse to tell off that idiot on Twitter.

Filmish

If you don’t have time to attend film school, or even to read the books a film school student would read, this illustrated guide will help you fast forward through the basics. 

Swims Brogue Boots

It’s cold and wet out there and if you are tempted to throw on some giant winter boots to deal with it, there is a better way. Elegant and waterproof, these brogues will transition from slushy streets into the office. 

Star Wars: Battlefront

Games from movies have a mixed track record but this gorgeous nostalgia nugget is exactly what I need this holiday season.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

It can be hard to find time for an RPG sometimes, but when art direction, strong narrative and open world come together like this, you make time. 

Mastin Labs: Lightroom film presets

Quit messing around with retro filters and step up up your game to professional film emulation. Each film pack might seem pricey, but they have become an indispensable part of my workflow. For a deep dive into Mastin Labs listen to episode 7 of the podcast.

ONA camera strap

This padded leather strap from ONA is as comfortable as it is stylish. Or for something with a few less buckles, Cecilia is another great option. To hear a full discussion listen to podcast episode 34.

Canon G7X

If the phone in your pocket isn’t quite scratching your photography itch, this compact can step up your game. It’s got tons of resolution, a quick lens and the video quality is better than I thought was possible out of a camera so small. 

Sonos PLAY:1

If you are looking for a modern home audio solution it’s hard to beat Sonos. You get better-than-it-deserves-to-sound audio quality, streaming in as many rooms as you want, and for a reasonable price. You could probably buy a new one every Christmas. One complaint though, it could really use some aux inputs.

Montana: Pendleton X Canada Goose

Having grown up in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains our trip to in Montana felt familiar, but way more cinematic. Canada Goose invited us to celebrate their collaboration with Pendleton, two brands whose skills and aesthetics are a perfect fit. Toronto based Canada Goose provides the down insulation (for the few days that hit -30 every winter) and Portland's Pendleton designed the perfect red and blue patterns, for the refined outdoorsman. 

We were there with eight other bloggers who were inspiring to meet and get to know. One thing I found really interesting was that even though most of them didn't identify as photographers, they all produced such beautiful work. I can’t say it enough, we live in an age where training and gear are completely unimportant. Don’t wait for permission to go take great photos. You should really check out their work:  Lisa & Marcel from New York, Michelle & Tyler from LA, and Naska & Marcus from Montreal.

One surprise was that I was the only one shooting Canon on the trip, it was strange to be so outnumbered by Nikons. To hear a longer conversation about it listen to episode 33 of my photography podcast, Cameras or Whatever.

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Packing Guide to Photography at Fashion Week

It’s hard to know just what to bring on a big trip. Last year I shared my packing list for our trip to Asia, so I thought it would be fun to update the list for our tour of fashion weeks. We were gone for 3 weeks: New York, Toronto, London and Paris. I was faced with the problem of packing just enough gear to cover all the events, but also dressing presentably enough to attend fashion events, which is harder than it sounds.

Canon 5D mkIII, 70-200mm f/2.8 IS,  Canon Elan 7n, 40mm f/2.8 pancake, Hamilton King Khaki II

If I haven't said it before, the Canon 5D III is the best camera I've ever worked with. It is the backbone of everything we shoot and is the gold standard I compare all new cameras too. When we shoot style photos, the 70-200mm is still the lens I trust. Because of it's length it creates beautiful focus separation with the subject and it has the range to shoot a variety of images.

To make up for the massive weight of the zoom, the 40mm pancake is a perfect complimentary wide lens.  Super sharp, light, and cheap. It never feels like a burden to carry and always amazes me with it's image quality. 

If you are a Canon shooter and have any interest in film, you really owe it to yourself to pick up an Elan 7. They are fantastically designed prosumer cameras that you can pick up for peanuts on eBay. I've had mine for over a decade and it's still going strong.

As I fall further in love with watches I can't leave out my current favourite, the Hamilton King Khaki II. Automatic ETA movement, Swiss made, with day and date complications.

Canon G7X, Contax T2, iPhone 6

Most of the travel photos from our trips end up being taken on small cameras. After carrying the giant 70-200mm for a while, it's a relief to play tourist with something light and easy. The G7x is great for it’s beautiful video quality (and vlogs!) and wifi ability. So when a photo needs a little more quality than the iPhone can provide we can transfer photos between them and post them on the go. 

Even though the quality looks similar between the iPhone and Canon on social networks, the huge advantage of the Canon is being able to crop into it's 20MP images, and shoot raw in case you capture something really amazing. 

Sadly, my beautiful Contax didn't see much action on this trip. Social media and Ania's blog were the priorities so I just couldn't wait for film. Still, I took a few and am excited to see how they turned out. 

As a photographer no one is paying attention to you and that is the way it should be. A monochrome outfit is as much about being practical as it is about style. I heard about a photographer who was new to fashion week and wore a bright orange jacket. He drove every other photographer crazy because when he was in the background of a shot, all you see it a bright orange coat. Stick to simple colors, which for me is black, white and blue.

Photographers don't need a three piece suit to to fit in at fashion events. Just keep it clean and minimal.

Frame denim jeans, COS shirt, Kenzo sweater, Bread & Boxers t-shirt

Here are my favorite basics I picked up along the way. Frame Denim provided some extremely soft and comfortable jeans at the presentation in NY. COS opened their first store in Toronto and I love their aesthetic. I picked up this shirt and long jacket that I wore almost every day of the trip. There is a limited selection of Kenzo items in Calgary, but in Paris they were everywhere, Ania talked me into their awesome eye print sweatshirt. I've been on the hunt for a perfect every day tee and I may have found it at Birchbox with Bread & Boxers. Finally, it rained in every city we went to you and life would have been a lot more miserable without them. This handsome little Hunter umbrella saved us again and again.

Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris, wearing COS coat, Kenzo sweatshirt, Frame Denim, and Ecco shoes

I'm still far from a perfect packer but I think I did pretty well on this trip. Notes for next time: bring a flash and leave one of the film bodies at home. 

17 Must Have iPhone Apps

I got a replacement iPhone 6 and here is a list of everything I needed to get it working just the way I like it. My priorities are definitely different than yours but if you're into photography and backups, maybe you'll find something helpful! 

Stay organized

1Password

Dropbox

Evernote

Pocket

TeamViewer

Scannable 

Fantastical 2

Photos

VSCO Cam

Google Photos

Carousel

Everyday

Listen up 

Overcast

Audible

Socialize

Twitter

Snapchat

Facebook

Instagram

Slack

Quick Review of the Pentax 645Z

Medium format can be an intimidating jump for photographers used to 35mm DSLRs, but Pentax is bridging that gap both in price and usability. Thanks to The Camera Store I was able to take the Pentax 645Z for a spin, and I was extremely impressed.

It's using the new 51.4 megapixel CMOS sensors, also found in the new Hasselblads, which takes care of previous limitations of large sensor cameras at high ISOs. I found it's low light performance to be at least as good my Canon 5D mkIII, and all the extra resolution really let's you clean up the image a lot in post. 

For the full review, watch the video. I can speak a lot faster than I can write!

• 51.4MP CMOS Sensor - 43.8 x 32.8 mm
• Prime III Image Processor
• Anti-Alias Filter-Less Design
• 3.2" 1037K Dot Tiltable Air-Gapless LCD
• Full HD 1080 60i/30p/24p Video Capture
• ISO Sensitivity Range of 100 - 204,800
• SAFOX II TTL 27 Point Autofocus System
• 3 fps Continuous Shooting
• Weather Sealed Magnesium Alloy Body
• Pentax Flucard and Eye-Fi Compatible

NAB Show 2015

If you enjoy making movies then NAB is the conference for you. It has everything for small indie filmmakers and major Hollywood studios, all in one giant convention center in Vegas. This was my second year attending and there were more amazing things then I could possibly have time to see. 

New Cameras

There were plenty of new camera announcements. The Canon C300 mkII was hard to care about. It's a very expensive camera is not even on par with cheaper competition like Sony's FS7 or Black Magic's new URSA Mini.

The Mini on the other hand might be a significant product, with a similar feature set to the Canon and Sony, but a price point as low as $3000. This could be a sign that black magic is finding their footing with camera design, although it really could use some internal ND filters.

Black Magic Design also went Micro, with most of the features of their Pocket Camera in something barely larger than a GoPro. 16 stops of dynamic range in this little thing makes me really resent the files I get out of my 5D mkIII.

Camera Stabilization

Gimbals, drones, and full body support rigs mounted on Segues, the robots are finally taking over camera operation. My favorite was the DJI Ronin M, which is in update of the larger Ronin. It's a lighter weight stabilizer meant for lighter cameras, and it was a joy to play with. They also have a new little thumb controller making a single operator set up incredibly easy. This little rig felt extremely refined.

The dropping price of this and other gibles mean that they will become a more and more standard piece of the indie filmmaker kit. 

There was also a very small hand held stabilizer from ISEE from Shape, that was interesting concept for small cameras. It worked really well and I could see this being really powerful for documentary style shooting when you don't want to draw attention.

One little piece of kit that really caught my attention is the Small HD 502. A phone sized monitor with a razor sharp screen and innovative interface, and it has an optional viewfinder that clips on to it for extra versatility. Unfortunately looking through the viewfinder felt more like looking at a mirror box (which it is) than direct into an EVF, but still that image beautiful. 

Another device I didn't hear about until I got home is the Black Magic Design Video Assist, which is just slightly bigger and also offers internal recording capabilities for a similar price. 

If this quick and lazy summary of the show wasn't enough for you, you can hear what I really think on our Cameras or Whatever podcast, episode 18.

http://podtrac.com/player/NTMzODk1/MjE1

#SFO Slowmo

We had precious little time to explore the city on this trip to San Fransisco, so I made the quickest little video I could of it. I shot it on my iPhone 6 at 240 fps and edited in iMovie as we walked around. When we got back to hotel I through an Impulz Lut filter on it for color.  

Video Podcast: Planning & Producing, w/guest Kirk of Mastin Labs

We don't usually record our Cameras or Whatever photography podcast in video, but I would really like get more active in the YouTube community again.

Putting some work in upfront can payoff big time. Kirk Mastin, of  Mastin Labs joins Cameron and I to talk about the value planning before you shoot, looking ahead at the longterm with bigger projects, shooting film and the power of constraints in photography. 

If you haven't tried Mastin Labs, you should. I use them constantly. 

California Roadtrip

For Christmas holidays 2014, we took a drive down the west coast. As usual we shot thousands of digital photos, the best of which you can see on Ania's blog. I also shot 6 rolls of film on a Contax G2 and Canon Élan 7n. The film stocks were a mix of Kodak Gold, Portra & Fuji 400H, and they were processed at Caribou Lab.

A Photography Podcast for Photographers

A number of years ago I published a podcast called Stalman Talks Photography. It was just me and a microphone talking about cameras and photography. It was fun but I wasn't sure where to go with the show, so gradually it fizzled out. 

Now I'm back with a brand new show and help from some friends. Cameras or Whatever is casual conversations with photography professionals talking about gear, technique and the business of taking pictures. 

The show assumes a pretty firm grasp of photography concepts, so if you're just getting started it might be a bit dense. I'm hoping there are other photographers out there like us. You already know your way around a camera and want to talk about the ways we get things done.

Listen to Episode 1 for a thorough introduction to the show and my guests Ania B, photographer, style blogger, and my business partner,  and Cameron Whitman, veteran stock photographer and Senior Editor at Stocksy United.

Subscribe on iTunes

http://podtrac.com/player/NTMzODk1/Mw2

The Nobles Management

There's a new agency in town, and it's called The Nobles. They are a small team of Calgary's best, and we shot the portraits for their website, which we also happened to design. These are the film shots, which unfortunately we don't have of all the girls, but have a really nice feel to them. Shot on Portra 400.

New York Fashion Week S/S 2015

It was a whirlwind week in New York for us. I got to do some exploring with family, who just happened to be in town at the same time, while Ania had to take out 48 crazy hours our trip to fly back to Calgary for her style presentation for Hudson's Bay. I went to the Killer Heels event, put on by Nordstrom at the Brooklyn Museum. We celebrated our first anniversary (happy one year honey!). We went to the Tommy Hilfiger and J Crew shows, and of course did some serious power shopping.

Below are the snapshots from the week, taken on the Contax T2. The scans from these rolls are so badly done by our local drug store that I have a hard time judging how well the camera really performed. I had to use Lightroom to fix the terrible adjustments the photo lab did, so I don't feel like I got to enjoy the natural colours from the camera or films.

A weekend in Vancouver w/ Kit & Ace

We have been to Vancouver many times over the past few years, but have never had time to explore the city. Kit & Ace invited a bunch of blogger out to be part of their brand launch, and showed us everything in the city we had been missing. They threw a party at their studio in Gastown, took us on a bike ride tour around Stanley Park, and  for a boat ride out to Granville Island.

Kit & Ace is all about super comfortable, durable and wearable fabrics. So far they launched a line of cashmere blend t-shirts, with a full clothing line coming this fall. 

This was also a perfect opportunity to put my new ultimate-film-point-and-shoot camera through it's paces, the Contax T2. It performed really well and will definitely be coming with us everyone. Click through the gallery below to see it in action, shot on Portra 400 and Kodak Gold 400.

To see the rest of our photos, head over to Ania's blog for more.

The whole crew: @alyssalau, @daniesque, @ontheracks, @krystal_bick, JJ, @stalman, @aniab, @weareseesnap, @margoandme & her fiance, @andyheart, @joonmotion

Olympus XA Review: A great camera that is past its prime

The Olympus XA is a cult classic. A simple point and shoot, it hit the sweet spot for a lot of professional photographers. It has a 35mm f/2.8 Zuiko lens, is very compact, and best of all is a rangefinder, which is extremely rare for a camera of this size. 

It should have been my dream film point and shoot camera. Unfortunately, I was only able to shoot one roll of film on this beauty before I had to make the tough decision to return it. The shutter would often stick. Sometimes only for a second, and I would ignore it. Other times I left a friend smiling patiently into the lens while I press the button over and over. 

This taught me a valuable lesson: before ordering a used camera, do quick search from common problems with it. "Olympus XA shutter problems" is one of the first suggestions in Google, and would have been a useful hint. This camera was designed to be an affordable consumer point & shoot, and wasn't built with longevity as a priority. It's easy to find a lot of positive reviews about it, but that assumes that you are using a functional .

Body and Design

The clam shell design is brilliant and something I would love to see on modern digitals. The lens is safe while it's in my bag, and there's no chance of it accidentally going off. It has a sensitive feather touch shutter button that helps cut down on camera vibration. I've never used anything like it before and really like the feel of it. If only it worked...

Image Quality

This won't be the camera that goes with me everywhere as I hoped, but it was fantastic in most respects. The image quality is except, very sharp and plenty of contrast. The corners vignette quite a bit when shooting at f/2.8, which in most cases look great, and when you open up to f/5.6, it's crystal clear. 

Focus

The rangefinder style focus is what drew me to this specific camera. It was removed from the later XA2, which only allows you to guestimate the distance. The XA2 is much more common these days, but I think it's worth searching for XA1 just for that difference. In dark conditions, focusing can be a challenge, but the focus ring is marked for distance if you want to estimate. 

Flash

The tiny A11 flash feels at home mounted to the side of the XA. It simple, small and runs off a single AA battery. If I were to keep this camera, my biggest gripe would be that there is no way to override the light meter when taking a flash photo. I'm a fan of cutting out ambient light when using direct flash, but there is no way keep the shutter speed fast. For example 1/100 sec instead of going down to 1/15 sec.

It takes a single AA battery, and takes a couple seconds to charge up.

Overall

If this was a new camera, it would be nearly perfect. Or if I had found it for cheap, I may have tried to fix it. In the end, I need a camera that I can count on to work every time I pull it out of my bag. The search continues...