what can i say that hasn't already been said about the XE? not much that doesn't necessitate actually using the camera in its current worn/pre-loved state. after all, it was released decades before i was even born--a startling thought. if you wanted modern impressions from someone who grew up alongside digicams, here's a few choice words: heavy, smooth, and oh so beautiful. it's a true machine! though somewhat more compact than some? most? DSLRs, it gives the impression of a professional, highly capable camera to both the user and onlookers.

whether function followed form with this camera i cannot say, but it really looks modern despite being nearly 50 years old! today, it looks like a lovely blend of old- and new-school cool. the nearly all-metal construction ages well. it feels nice in the hand, with a reassuring and neck-killing weightiness. and that's not to mention the confident detents of the dials and refined feeling of the advance winder. though i've limited experience with film cameras and thus not much frame of reference, i can confirm that it's an objectively smooth mechanism. (for context, i only have my hi-matic 7s that i haven't used in a while. i also wound an fm3a a few times.) it's undoubtedly a pleasure to use and really reinforces the ideal of using film cameras not only to shoot film but to also experience the cameras themselves.

i bought my first XE from my friend. thankfully everything works (except for the on/off switch that broke). having a full-featured, fully-functioning camera is so nice. even the worn paint is a bit nicer than you'd think; there's less stress and worry about scratching a pristine finish or wearing off the paint when using a strap. there's some merit to having things that aren't perfect cosmetically. it's not like i enjoy the patina look; it's just more practical in some instances.

i was lucky(?) enough to find another XE body recently also. at $30, it seemed too good to pass up. everything moved like it should, the paint was great with no brassing. unfortunately, the aperture ring doesn't communicate with the light meter properly, so stop-down metering is necessary for now. nothing that can't be fixed. paired with a beat MC 50/1.7, it's not a bad deal.
also, remember what i said about not having to worry about the paint on my first XE? it's the opposite with this one. it'd honestly be near-intolerable if i didn't have two to mess around with.

being the middle child in between the professional-oriented XK and the newer, smaller, lighter XD-11, the XE (at least in my mind) feels a bit overshadowed by the other two members of this trio. note, though, that I've only had the privilege of using the XE. and really, that's not to say that i don't like the XE. but damn, a smaller form factor would be nice. which is why i'm staking out for an om-1, XD, or nikon fe. perhaps it's a bit superficial, but my main criteria for cameras is cool and good (in equal importance). and i can say with confidence that the XE absolutely satisfies both.

more to come?

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