Black and white photography with the Olympus Trip 35 (Ilford XP2)

Hey folks, I'm back with another film photography video with the Olympus Trip 35. This time I'm shooting a roll of Ilford XP2 - a black and white film that I've never shot before.
One thing I didn't mention in the video was that I shot the entire roll in just over an hour, which is faster than I intended but I was having so much fun it just happened that way.
I'm quite happy with the results from the Ilford XP2 and Olympus Trip 35. I definitely appreciate shooting with a 400 speed film, as it helps with low light and getting a bigger depth of field - a welcome bonus with a scale focus camera such as the Trip 35.
Grain is present but not overly gritty and distracting and the contrast levels are decent enough without being dominating like on something like Tri-X. I'd say for a consumer level film the quality is a noticeable step up from something like Fuji C200 or Kodak Colorplus.
It's a fairly versatile film and due to its apparent lack of defining characteristics (at least to my eyes) it would suit a wide variety of subject matter, from portraits to landscapes.
That being said the results I got are fairly mixed, but that's down to my deficiencies as a photographer rather than the film. I'm still missing shots due to not guessing the scale focus accurately. This can be improved on with practise, but I also believe it's an inherent limitation of the Trip 35.
This camera was sold in the millions back in the day as the ultimate holiday snapper, for folks who didn't want to be bothered with adjusting manual settings. Many people would leave it on the 'three people' focus setting (marked in red to differentiate it from the other settings) and get acceptably sharp photos in most scenarios.
The challenge comes when you attempt to use the Trip 35 in more artistic ways than what it was originally intended for (a common thing these days with the hipster resurgence of film and the cult status of this particular camera).
I love shooting environment portraits (as you can tell with this video and my previous Olympus Trip 35 street photography video), but this often requires me to move closer to my subject and select the portrait scale focus setting. This means you have to guess the distance to your subject more accurately, so the potential for error increases. You can see I failed to nail this on a few occasions in this video.
For this reason at some point I'll probably end up moving to a camera that allows me to manually set precise focus - such as a fixed lens rangefinder or SLR - but for the time being I'm still enjoying shooting with the Trip 35 and I hope you enjoy this video.
See you in the next one!

[@pdtech4524]

Inspirational.. I've just aquired my first Olympus Trip 35 after a lengthy quest to find a good one locally at a reasonable price. I also have a roll of Ilford XP2 super 400, looks like they're well matched.

[@rezzab]

A great video and some great images, so many camera reviews have boring images, you’ve inspired me to dig out my trip and start using it again with XP2.

[@thankyouforinfo]

Love the part about taking photos, now a days people be tripping

[@ColinBloodworth]

Great shots, Tom. You are really, really good at street portrature. That dunking basketball shot was genius. What a great idea and angle. It's awesome at an event like that for Christmas, it's pretty much expected that photos are gonna be taken all over the place. That helps. The pic of you two was awesome. I like the look of XP2. Nice shadow detail and low grain.

[@tomedwards81]

Thanks mate. The basketball shot was a fun one. I do enjoy building a rapport with folks on the street. The Stable On The Strand event is an interesting one...we’re not religious but the kids enjoy seeing everyone dressed up having a good time. You’re also doing an awesome job with your film photography. It’s weird that we’ve both hit upon this passion around the same time. Seasons greetings to you and your dearest mate 🙏🏼

[@Jim17678]

Cracking video. Just bought a neat early Trip 35. Your POV is a big help in getting started. Thanks, Jim

[@tomedwards81]

No worries mate. I’ve also done ‘street photography’ and ‘first roll of film’ videos if you’d like to check them out. Will be doing a Trip 35 review soon too.

[@andycoomber6159]

Oh you lucky man. Tropical sunshine and heat. Thanks for the video.

[@tomedwards81]

Yes nice and sunny but oh so HOT! It was 33C when we filmed this at 5pm!

[@grbbbc]

Excellent shots, thank you for sharing it.

[@tomedwards81]

My pleasure, Barry.

[@mistral55]

My first camera bought in 1977. I worked in a photographic shop from 1980 -1996 and we used to take pics on various films including Ilford Pan F and blow the resulting negatives up to 20 x 16" to display in the shop. the results were absolutely incredible. My wife had one for years and took some amazing street photography type shots on various holidays in Greece Portugal Italy France etc. That little Zuiko lens was a true gem...

[@tomedwards81]

It's the stuff of legend. The Mini Cooper of cameras, if you will. I always remember my dad saying that of all the camera he owned, the little Trip from way back when always took the best photos.

[@iandonald8843]

I only discovered your channel a couple of days ago. Another excellent video Tom. I am certain the friendly way you interact with your subjects almost compels them to co-operate with you! The portraits you have taken are brimming full of character. Well done!

[@tomedwards81]

I generally find that if you're friendly towards people it works well. If it doesn't, oh well, no biggy :-) Thanks for watching!

[@rydinorwin]

Many thanks. Great video. Since lovely shots. Always hard to go and and get a bunch of great photos I reckon with film? I’m going to buy one!

[@carltanner9065]

Great shots, Tom. And I like your videos too :) I'm from the 'Ville as well and like photography. Got all sorts of digital and film cameras and even picked up a Trip for myself, today. I'm also into astrophotography, too, being an actual astronomer (not just an amateur astronomer. Could say I'm both!!). Might catch you out and about some time :)

[@tomedwards81]

Would have been good Carl, but unfortunately I left Townsville just over a year ago ago after the flood. All though best with the photography and astronomy though 👍🏼

[@carltanner9065]

Oh well, missed opps :) You want to keep on making vids wherever you are. Find some new "targets" :) Geez, you wouldn't think it's been a year since then. Feels like only a month or so ago!!!

[@tomedwards81]

I intend to. Just struggling to find time at the moment.

[@ronwhite8503]

I bet the baby jesus would have loved the carousel. Some cracking photos there, young man.

[@tomedwards81]

Thanks! A few dud shots as well!

[@essjayyell]

6:28 damn just missed that great shadow of the man on the side of the carousel seat

[@tomedwards81]

Yeah I realised at the time that I was a split second too late!

[@MrDro1128]

Nice man. Loved the forced bird reaction! What camera were y’all using to film? Well done

[@tomedwards81]

Thanks. Pity that shot didn’t come out so well! My friend was using a Panasonic G85 with 12-60mm kit lens.

[@diegof.j.1228]

Hi Tom! Lovely video, I really enjoy your street photography videos as I always feel too awkward to approach people myself and ask them for a portrait... Anyways, I want to try the XP2, but my Trip is from 1967 and because of that its maximum ASA value on the wheel is 200; do you think I could still get good results? And would I need to do anything special when developing the film (or rather inform at the lab, as I don't develop myself...)?

[@tomedwards81]

Hi there. I would shoot a test roll and see what kind of results you get. B&W has a lot of exposure latitude so you should be fine. It would hurt to tell the lab I guess. For some more precise advice join the Olympus Trip 35 Facebook group and ask your question there too. Good luck!

[@StereoChimps]

Cant wait to get this lil camera in my hands

[@tomedwards81]

It is fun, just watch out for zone focussing. Enjoy!

[@arricammarques1955]

Pentax MX + SMC 40mm & Kentmere 400 ASA : )

[@jonvincentmusic]

Great work. I had no idea you could actually still buy film, let alone B&W. I've not seen it in (any) stores for a very very long time.

[@tomedwards81]

I think most people buy online these days. While there isn’t anything like the choice that there used to be, there are still a surprising number of different films to choose from. Film is definitely going through a resurgence, much like vinyl.

[@TREVORDAWSONTHD]

I hope you are ok up there in Townsville with all that flood going on. I was thinking of you there.

[@tomedwards81]

Hi Trev. We’re fine thanks for asking. I’m sorry for the late reply. Unfortunately we lost our home in the flood and nearly all of our possessions, but everyone is safe and well. Had to evacuate so quite a hairy experience, especially for the kids. Not sure what we’re going to do next, but no doubt there’ll be a video or perhaps short film in there somewhere!

[@TREVORDAWSONTHD]

@@tomedwards81 oh dear! Sorry to hear about your home washed away. Glad you are ok that's the main thing and your family. Very windy and wet here. Hope to see your next vlog.

[@tomedwards81]

Hey Trev - just uploaded a new video. It's a long one though!

[@Mc007Queen]

I think the only way black and white film excels when a photographer takes portrait of people up close

[@tomedwards81]

I know what you mean, but I think it’s more versatile than that. The work of Henri Cartier-Bresson and Vivian Maier spring to mind as a couple of obvious examples.

[@tomedwards81]

And the famous landscape photographer Ansel Adams of course ☺️

[@Smaug1]

Very nice walk around roll. Maybe 50% keepers; excellent. IMO, that's a better keeper ratio than your similar walk with color film. Maybe part of it is that you were shooting black and white, which encourages us to look at the subjects first, not colors.

[@tomedwards81]

I think you're right. I've been shooting maybe 75% black and white since this video for that very reason. Thanks for watching.

[@imjusttoodissgusted5620]

notice the wrist watch on the shepard? that will be thing the just gnaws at you when you look at it

[@tomedwards81]

Arghhh!!

[@mamiyapress]

With Ilford XP2 you are not restricted to 400 ASA, you can shoot from 50 ASA to 800 ASA on the same roll of film, how about that.

[@tomedwards81]

That's pretty cool. Thanks for pointing it out.

[@rezzab]

I was once accused by a woman thinking I had taken her picture I of course said I had not, she said it was illegal it’s not, I then told her a camera was pointing at her now, she said where I looked round, I then pointed to a CCTV camera on a building that was pointing at us,

[@robertlatimer9869]

Oasis fan??

[@vermontmike9800]

Is it supersonic?

[@photomaster1]

Thank you for this, now I know what camera I will not get.. lol

[@tomedwards81]

It's a fun camera if you want to dabble in a bit of film.