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Olympus XA2 Review: Film Photography in Paris and London! (Fuji 400)

1.8K views· 57 likes· 9:28· Sep 12, 2025

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I found an Olympus XA2 for just $20 at an estate sale — and decided to test it on a trip through Paris and London. In this video, I review the XA2, share my shooting experience, and show the results from multiple rolls of film. The Olympus XA2 is a compact 35mm film camera from the 1980s that’s often overlooked compared to the XA and XA4. But after carrying it through Europe, I think it might be one of the best travel film cameras ever made. 📸 In this video: - Estate sale story: how I found this XA2 + flash for $20 - Size & design: why it’s perfect for travel - How it works: zone focusing, clamshell body, Zuiko 35mm lens - Film choice: Fuji 400 + exposure tricks for daylight & flash - Pros & cons: portability, sharpness, quirks, and limitations - Final verdict: who the XA2 is for in 2025 If you’re into film photography, vintage gear reviews, or travel photo walks, I think you’ll really enjoy this one. 🌍 Follow me for more film photography content: Instagram: @colebki TikTok: @colbki Substack: colebielecki.substack.com email: colebielecki@gmail.com 📷 Gear used: Olympus XA2 (with A11 flash) Fuji Superia 400 My favorite bags to carry my Osmo Pocket 3 and DJI Action 5 Pro: Calpak Luka Belt Bag: https://go.shopmy.us/p-27820602 Calpak Luka Laptop Backpack: https://go.shopmy.us/p-27820711 Chapters: 0:00 The Perfect Travel Film Camera 0:50 How did I come across for $20 1:58 Why I used Fuji 400 Film 2:18 Come check out my SubStack 2:41 Functions and Design of the Olympus XA2 4:28 Pro Tips for better results 5:07 Easy to use 5:26 Pros and Cons of the Olympus XA2 7:34 Taking photos in Notting Hill 7:55 Would I recommend the Olympus XA2? #filmphotography #olympusXA2 #35mm #fuji400

About This Video

In this video I’m reviewing the Olympus XA2 and why, after taking it through Paris and London, I genuinely think it’s one of the best travel film cameras you can buy right now. I tell the whole estate sale story (yes, I found the XA2 plus the A11 flash for $20), how I checked that it still worked, and why I chose Fuji 400 for the trip. Then I walk through the design—tiny body, clamshell open-and-shoot vibe, and how easy it is to carry when I’m already traveling with stuff like my Osmo Pocket 3 and my Canon R8. I also break down how the XA2 actually shoots: it’s mostly automatic, with ISO selection and simple zone focusing (close, mid, infinity). One of my biggest tips is rating Fuji 400 at ISO 200 to give the camera more light, because it can stop down and/or drag shutter if the scene is darker—leading to motion blur. The big takeaways: it’s small, sharp, ridiculously fun, and it nails that nostalgic early-2000s point-and-shoot look. If you want a lightweight film camera for travel in 2025, I’d absolutely recommend it.

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