The best little thing in your pocket… love my Olympus XA2
The last few months have been pretty hectic and I have found myself grabbing days away when I could and drifting in and out of different adventures. I think I have picked up all of my cameras and walked and ridden my bikes in lots of my favourite places. Each time I have promised to log my thoughts and share my pictures. Unfortunately life takes over and I never seem to have time!
It’s a rainy Sunday at home and I have promised myself to write a blog… so here goes!
At the end of June I headed to North Wales with a plan to trek up and around the Glyderau mountain range in the Eryri National Park. The weather was meant to be favourable and was supposed to have cleared by 9am in the morning, leaving a cloud inversion and views across the ranges; however in true mountain fashion it did not stop raining; the wind howled, gusting over 50mph and visibility was terrible. I still gave it a good go though and thoroughly enjoyed a changed walk to Glyder Fach and a return to Capel Curig rather than the traditional circuit. Even this proved to be a hard day in tough conditions and my main equipment spent most of the time in the safe dry place of my camera rucksack. A heavy burden that hardly got used at all!
I had a lifesaver in my tiny Olympus XA2 35mm film camera. It fits in my pocket in a little dry bag and could be brought out between torrential downpours and it enabled me to capture the conditions and the emerging views, when they occurred. Lesson learnt and a few weeks later, I would only carry this little gem into the hills again. Who needs heavy kit!!
Tryfan South Peak - Olympus XA2 - Portra 400
On route to Tryfan - Olympus XA2 - Portra 400
Views over to the Eryri range - Olympus XA2 - Portra 400
A few weeks later I headed out with a gang of intrepid explorers to sample the delights of the Ambleside pubs and a great walk around the Langdale Pikes. It’s definitely a favourite walking area of mine and something I have done on numerous occasions. This time I was mainly focused on having a great time and walking with friends. it was time to leave the big camera bag and stuff the little Olympus in the daysack. Perfect in lots of ways.
I am amazed at what detail and clarity the little piece of plastic can give you with its fixed35mm fixed lens.
Pike of Stickle - Olympus XA2 - Portra 400
The main lessons learnt for me are a need to differentiate between going out to do some serious landscape photography or going out to enjoy a walk in the hills. I often find I carry too much equipment and do not pay the deserved attention to either activity.
Having a small 35mm film camera on my “Treks” is definitely something I will do more often as I manage to get the best of both worlds at little cost to weight saving.
Olympus XA2; what an amazing piece of plastic. It’s staying in my bag!