The Film Retriever

I got this camera on a car boot sale for 10 pence. The seller said that it wasn't working and true, i couldn't trip the shutter although (according to the seller) there was a fresh battery in. I removed the top part and below the shutter button laid the problem. Be very careful when you take it off, there is a tiny little metal ball that keeps the clamshell open and it is really easy to lose. There is a metal part in the shape of "H" that was not making adequate contact. Took it off, washed it with vinegar and bent it a bit to make more contact and it was working again. It seems that this is a common problem with all XA series but still it is very easy to repair. The clamshell design is good - really good actually. When you close it it resets the switch on the left that adjust the focus. Very clever. The lens is a Zuiko 35 f/3.5 which is a quite sharp lens but it vignettes. Sometimes too much for my liking. Here are a couple of pictures to show you what i mean. ...