Olympus XA4 has a day out in Scarborough

I have previously had an XA, an XA2 and an XA3, all well used and enjoyed, and which all eventually broke in their own special ways. The XA4 is the latest in the series and I always fancied having one sometime. I bought this one from Hamish’s shop, complete with the original strap which one uses to measure the 30cm for macro shots.

Unlike the others with their 35mm lenses, this one has a 28. Using it reminds me of my long lost Ricoh GR digital which also broke but which was my fault; I dropped it in a river. Like the Ricoh it’s tiny and can be easily carried in a coat pocket, so you can quickly snap opportune moments. The default focus distance is sensibly set at 3 metres but it’s easy and quick to change with the lever on the front. Simply put, it’s the ideal walkaround camera.

I like the 28mm focal length. It’s a bit more exciting than a standard view, but the pictures still look and feel natural.

I have had a couple of films through it already but for my day at the seaside in wintry but bright-and-breezy Scarborough, I loaded it with Glow 400. According to the Reto Project (retoproject.com) it produces “moderate vintage with a soft warm tint”. I wasn’t hoping to warm up Winter, but I liked the idea of that kind of look.

I often have a day trip to Scarborough. At any time of year it’s an enjoyable place to spend a day walking around the town finding some photos, and eating some fish and chips with the sounds of the harbour and the salty air accompanying.

At the harbour, I took a picture of the lighthouse. After a grey start, the weather had cheered up somewhat, with a stiff but cheerful breeze and some welcome sunshine.

Nearby is this police box, with attendant police car. I don’t know if the police box is functional or just a curious relic from the past. There were no lights on so I assumed nobody was home.

I was drawn to these flags flapping in the breeze, with their bright orange colour.

There are a few characterful boats old in the harbour. This one looked like it had been well used, not a pleasure craft.

Walking up to the castle, I noticed these shadows mixing with each other, and the lady with the red hat walking down the steps.

Here is Scarborough Castle in the pale sunlight, which I feel the Glow film has rendered beautifully with the heavy grain and the pale washed out yellowish tint.

I took this picture of the tree knowing it would come out silhouetted against the sky, which was starting to cloud over again. Later on it would rain, for the rest of the day.

I used the wide angle to accentuate the curve of this hotel with some people walking by to show the scale.

I must say, these photos suggest to me that the name “Glow” doesn’t suit this film. Rather than giving warmth, it made everything look pale and washed out. However I do enjoy the look of it especially with that big grain. It has captured the mood of the bright but chilly Winter’s day.

The camera is an ideal strolling companion and makes characterful images that are sharp and punchy. Having previously talked myself out of buying it I’m happy that I changed my mind.

You can see a bit more of my photographic output here

Thanks for reading.

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