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all images © Martyn Gabel, 2002
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Lomo LC-A - Canon QL17 - Yashica Lynx 5000e - Olympus XA4
A rather rare camera, this macro version of the popular Olympus 'clamshell' XA range is not easy to find these days, and commands a high premium because of the performance of its lens, its rarity, and the fact that it was only manufactured for one year.
The original XA was a tiny and hugely successful rangefinder camera from the '70s and '80s. It later appeared in other guises - the XA2 is still a popular choice - and like the XA2, the XA4 Macro substitutes rangefinder focusing for zone focusing on the front of the camera - which is much more point-and-shoot like.
The XA4 though, is capable of focusing as close as 12", which is not as close as many modern digital cameras, but a lot closer than the other XA's 2.8 feet.
The XA4 has a super-wide 28mm/3.5 lens and programmed exposure, the lens is reputed to be one of the best ever in a small camera, both wonderfully wide and capable of getting in really close. Its diminuitive size ensures the XA4 is easy to carry around, and its ease of use and quality means it's the perfect camera to keep with you at all times. It's great to load up with 400 or 800 speed film and take to low-light areas - the 2 second max shutter speed may not sound much, but with a fast film can allow for some decent night-time photography.
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