The Simplicity of the Olympus Trip 35

Today, we're looking at the Olympus Trip 35, the perfect beginner's film camera. The Olympus Trip 35 is a compact fully automatic exposure 35mm film camera, which doesn't require batteries, and is the ideal first film camera for beginner photographers. It's a super simplistic, portable, and budget 35mm film camera that takes super high-quality and sharp photos. Join me as I take some film photos around London with the Olympus Trip 35 and Kodak Ultramax 400.
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00:00 Intro
00:16 The Olympus Trip 35
00:45 Images I
01:32 History and Buying
02:20 The Shooting Process
04:32 Images II
05:17 The Lens
05:46 How to Load/Unload
06:40 Images III
07:26 Final Thoughts
08:14 Images IV

[@dewproser]

I just literally found my fathers old camera and had to jump on KZbin to search what he had. This is one camera I will continue to own till my time is over. Miss you dad! I wish we had more time. ❤

[@suisujin]

Exact same experience for me, I hope my dad continues to enjoy his passion for photography through my eyes and his cameras that I inherited, like the olympus trip 35.

[@I.o.a.n.n.i.s]

Same here, with my uncle and his smena symbol. "I wish we had more time" hit hard... Take care my friend and be strong.

[@hugoprioto8950]

You will have great opportunity, to see the world with the same eyes (finder) your dad did, and the same perspective (lens) he liked. Enjoy!

[@vickomen3697]

it's my father's old camera too. I just wanna learn though how to digitize the images taken.

[@grilledcheesebb2318]

Wow, that photo project from 2020 hit me harder in the feels than I expected!

[@halogunter4352]

same here. Greetings from Germany.

[@analogaperture6166]

Great Video, awesome photos! Tip for people looking to buy one: If you find a trip 35 in say a charity shop or antique store a quick trick to make sure the Selenium Cell is still working is to cover the lens of the camera with one hand while looking through the finder and trying to take a photo - if you have the camera set to Auto and the flag does not appear you know you have some sort of problem with the metering. They often still work fine in manual mode (at 1/40) but a fair number of the ones I have run across have had such an issue - brilliant little camera though and if you get a working one you are set!

[@DanielJamesBird]

Thanks for the helpful tip!

[@cristo_9542]

I just tried it and I see a flag! I bought it for 20EUR.

[@brendanhannan1753]

I got one at brick lane market London. £60 perfect working order...I just cannot bring myself to use it as it's so amazing I don't want to add wear and tear to it.

[@iamsummerlambert]

Great video, thank you! Just purchased this as a travel camera, as my daily camera is much too bulky for overseas travel. I think this will be perfect.

[@DanielJamesBird]

Thank you Summer! I hope you like it, happy travels :)

[@sbai4319]

The first camera I ever used was an Olympus Trip. I learned how to develop Black and White images taken on Ilford Delta 100 or possibly 400. My first step into a bigger world. A find memory to cherish forever.

[@msaarukka]

Great video Daniel! This is the camera I first started shooting with in 1993 when I was 10 years old. It's my dad's old camera and I have no idea when he bought it. I also got his old Canon T70 which I shot with for many years until I went digital. But thanks to your tips and the urge to shoot film again I've decided to pick this baby up and go exploring. Most of the old photos I shot with the Olympus are a bit out of focus and underexposed but I'll try one stop more light and infinity and see where it gets me 👍

[@stepantzov]

thank you, perfect review, suggestions and frames! just received this small camera as a birthday gift, excited to go for a walk with it soon.

[@DanielJamesBird]

Thanks so much Ivan! Hope you enjoy using it!

[@kluens]

As a new Trip35 owner, this was wonderful - thank you!

[@davidspidell4270]

I have the little brother to the Trip 35. The Pen-D very similar, but without the auto exposure feature. Of course I get twice the number of pictures. Fun little cameras.

[@singyuchen3959]

Such a lovely video ❤ thank you for sharing a lot of great pictures/ memories ❤❤❤

[@katiea1170]

I highly recommend this camera if you are just starting out, it's so little and lightweight and easy to use !

[@renemies78]

Really beautiful pictures. I'm bidding on a camera right now! Thanks for the video.

[@sumerianorbeep.6235]

Super well put together, thank you Daniel ! :)

[@imakefilms123]

You’re near me! I just discovered your channel and recognised the City with the Tesco Metro in one of your photos 😅 Great video by the way

[@Leticiag1barros]

Really beautiful video! Learned a lot, thanks. The bridge photo was stunning

[@selvarnguyen9061]

I've been shooting on dslr for years and recently decided to switch to film camera and thanks to this amazing video I purchased the olympus trip. Thanks for this helpful video, really helped a beginner like me!

[@DanielJamesBird]

thank you! Glad I could help :) Enjoy shooting!

[@JackGE]

I've just received the Trip 35 for my birthday, and I'm excited to shoot film for the first time! How have you found using it?

[@katherineortez]

I’m about to purchase one of these off Etsy & watching all the KZbin vids to make sure I’m ready! Excited to have one of these by summer! Thank you so much for explaining, 😭 also, killed it on the film!! 🪴✨✨✨

[@DanielJamesBird]

Go for it! It’s a great little camera. I’m for sure going to take it on a trip to the US this Summer and hopefully make some awesome images with it :) Thank you!

[@guy9742]

Brilliant video. Cleared loads of things up. I just want something simple to keep on my vespa and take photos out and about with, this is ideal. Thanks

[@DanielJamesBird]

Sounds like the perfect little camera! Thanks Guy.

[@MusicAndThings2023]

Fantastic video, thanks! I just came across this camera yesterday and had to get it. In the bit where you mentioned the type of film that might overexpose, I just wondered what kinds of film you can use, any specific brands you can’t etc - might sound an obvious question it’s just been along time since I’ve used film! Thanks all :)

[@alphanuevo]

Nice video. Great photos! I just ordered one of these. Planning to take it to Italy 🇮🇹 in the Spring, and leave my Canon VT de luxe at home. I have heard it’s good to put a lens cap on these when not shooting. Cheers from Seattle.

[@iangrant3615]

I have one and find it very enjoyable. It's nice to have a film camera that can provide some great shots but is very simple and convenient as well as not being heavy and obtrusive when using it.

[@jamesjennings-yd2bc]

I own 7 of these, love them.

[@charlie2268]

Great video! Found your channel through Instagram, but really did not expect you to be at my old uni in Kent, I think that's actually the window to my first year accommodation at 4:47! Been thinking about picking up a Trip 35 for a while now. I rather like my OM1N

[@DanielJamesBird]

thanks so much! How funny! It’s a great camera - would recommend giving it a go!

[@RobMoses]

I've got one of these laying around. I should shoot with it. Good video Daniel.

[@DanielJamesBird]

thanks Rob! Hope you enjoy shooting with it :)

[@reyhanpradantyo]

One of my favourite cameras I own! I use it exclusively for vacations and it's perfect never having to worry about batteries

[@DanielJamesBird]

It's a wonderful little camera. Perfect size for travelling!

[@shaungreer3350]

Once i get a bit of money i’m going to delve into this, been putting off getting into film for a while after learning on my dslr. Great video 👍

[@DanielJamesBird]

Thanks a lot Shaun! Good luck with it.

[@lensman5762]

One thing that hardly anyone mentions about this camera and its focusing ( probably because they only look at the top of it ), is that in addition to the pictures scale on the top of the lens, there is also a distance scale on the bottom, you just have to turn the camera upside down to see it. If you are good at guessing distances or you could measure the distance to the subject, you could actually set the focus quite accurately. The 40 series Zuiko lenses used in the Trip, RC, RD, etc etc are of a very high quality rivaling those on some very expensive cameras. I can assure of that since I also have a full selection of Nikon AIS, and Canon L series lenses and also a few Leicas. LOL, No it is not in the same class of a Leica, but considering the price, it gives unbelievable value and performance. Happy shooting. Some good photography, BTW.

[@DanielJamesBird]

Appreciate the informative comment! Thank you :)

[@KarinaSlisina]

Thank you! You helped me to decide what camera to buy as the first film one.

[@DanielJamesBird]

Glad I could help Karina! Enjoy it :)

[@JonnyEnglish-gu1cs]

Looking to add one to my camera line up I used one back in the 80s when I was a photographer at butlins so simple to use no battery to worry about

[@evansmangena5068]

Thank you for the video, I just bought mine today for €50 after watching your video 😊I can’t wait to use it

[@DanielJamesBird]

Thank you! Hope you enjoy using it :)

[@BicMacAndChips1]

Had one for a while now - 100% recommend. Some pictures come out slightly unfocused due to the guesswork you have to do, but when you get that crisp image the results are extraordinary. Fantastic beginner's, forgiving film camera

[@ymvni]

Which mode do you recommend? I really don’t want my pics coming out unfocused. Is there one that works for most scenarios?

[@BicMacAndChips1]

@@ymvni The camera's designed to be shot with aperture in automatic mode, so that's taken of at least. In terms of focusing, you'll need to change between the focusing rings to get sharp images. There's only four, with each focus setting having a range so it allows some flexibility. You'll rarely get a very blurred image. After some use you'll get used to what works best. On a side note, I've found Lomography colour 400 gives the best, sharpest prints with this camera

[@ymvni]

@@BicMacAndChips1 Okay, thank you. Yes, I’ve heard that with 400 film your pictures are more unlikely to come out blurry.

[@0scartheCat]

Leave on 3m for most people shots then adjust if you have time, 400 rated at 200 is correct for neg film

[@csisbw]

Just noticed the shot of the beers on the table with the lonely, warm 4am plate

[@DanielJamesBird]

haha - yep! That one's a personal favourite of mine, and particularly the fact I missed focus! Feels very apt for representing a lockdown spent at University ...

[@cakelesscoder9562]

I spent 1800Y on one of these from the "as-is" pile in a Japanese camera shop recently. It's been dropped and the exposure meter broken, and yet for my first roll of film it still cracked out 36 great shots. Very fond of it, though since then the aperture has siezed

[@stekrenn]

Great beautiful video! ☀️ Thank you!

[@DanielJamesBird]

thank you! ☺️

[@RodMouthFishing]

Just picked one up because of this video. Thank you. What film do you recommend for black and white photos.

[@katiea1170]

Really nice photos!

[@DanielJamesBird]

thanks so much Katie!

[@vrajesh.mistry]

A very good video guide and featurette.

[@DanielJamesBird]

thank you!!

[@tomjugginsuk]

Great video! My grandad gave me lots of old cameras a while back and this year I've thought about shooting with them. This camera was one of them so I'm excited o take it out and see what photos I can take. I will try the Kodak Ultra Max that you used.

[@DanielJamesBird]

Thanks very much Tom! Absolutely get out and shoot with them! I’d love to see the results you get from it. So feel free to share with me once you’ve shot some :)

[@tomjugginsuk]

@@DanielJamesBird I will do! It might be a while as I didn't realise how expensive film was 😅 Where do you buy your film?

[@DanielJamesBird]

Kodak has actually just increased their prices which doesn’t help! I like both Analogue Wonderland and Moment. Then I get it developed and scanned at Filmdev

[@tomjugginsuk]

@@DanielJamesBird ah I see, thanks for your help. I will look into those!

[@tshikhate]

Beautiful

[@lrkenielsen8856]

Bought one of these at a thrift shop for like $2 and found some expired film in a drawer at home. Been taking pictures here and there with it. Hope it still works

[@crystalmolina2533]

what flash do you use for it ? i have the original but it doesn't work and i need some sort of flash for it to shoot an image :~/

[@michaelasaiz-munteanu3033]

great video!! what film did you use for images III and IV ? i love the way these turned out

[@DanielJamesBird]

I believe it was a mix of Kodak Gold and Kodak Colorplus! Thank you!

[@digitalalaska6719]

Nice video. Great colors from the Ultramax. When you overexposed by one stop did you compensate for this in processing or proceed as normal?

[@DanielJamesBird]

just processed as normal! thanks very much :)

[@user-fy5jd4fi1o]

I'm in Japan and I found this camera for about $6, and it's my first analog camera and it feels great to shoot a non-digital camera.

[@DanielJamesBird]

What a great steal! Glad you've enjoyed shooting it.

[@Cuteloudtubergirl02]

omggg! university of kent 😩🤩

amazing pics!

[@DanielJamesBird]

thank you!

[@harrisonslinger]

Great video nice one pal

[@DanielJamesBird]

Thank you Harrison! Appreciate it.

[@kiwipics]

The camera is basically idiot proof, but I see so many peoples videos saying that they've had a bad trip with the Trip .... This video certainly isn't one of those. Great video. PS: Don't store the camera without the lens cap on or you'll find that your Selenium cells will cease to function. I've had one since NEW and it's still working great after all these years ... Looking for a nice Olympus 35 RC now.

[@DanielJamesBird]

Thanks very much John! Good to know on the lens cap. Thank you:)

[@BigDuke6ixx]

I had one when I was a kid in the 70s. The results were a bit hit and miss because of user error, of course. I then went to OM10, Minolta 5000, 9000 and then went digital in the late 90s. So...guess what? I just ordered a Trip 35 from Mr Trip, paying £170 for a fully serviced 1974 model in amazing condition. I paid way too much, but I don't care. I'm really looking forward to shooting with my Trip and my iPhone 14 Pro.

[@Gerard-hu6kp]

The engineering on a Trip 35 is so simple it works with wonderful reliability. The idea was to make 35 mm as an introduction upgrade from say Kodak Box Brownie or Instamatic A marvelous innovation Good quality But great for when you went away on holiday hence the name name

[@mczeno]

Hey Daniel, I liked the video a lot. Could tell me how you achieved the hand drawn look of the text you put during the transitions between one segment of the video and another? I would love to replicate in a work of mine, thank you.

[@DanielJamesBird]

It’s a plug-in from Motion VFX called Kodaframe :)

[@anikap100]

I got one of these and just tested the first time ever shooting 35mm camera and unfortunately most pictures came back unfocused and underexposed. Although i set my camera in the right film speed and on automatic.. maybe I have to learn more about the 4 focus options! Thanks for the video😌

[@DanielJamesBird]

Thanks for watching Anika! Oh no! Perhaps try shooting the next roll at one stop over-exposed? Then if you're outside it's easy to focus to infinity and most should come back in focus!

[@anikap100]

@@DanielJamesBird thank you for ur reply! Im gonna try that for sure! What do you mean by one stop over exposed? Sorry for my questions 😅

[@good4ud]

@@anikap100 use the iso to allow for one more stop of light, as in either use 800 speed film at 400 iso or 400 speed film at 200 iso

[@jamiefiszzon9604]

I’ve found a link to ‘Olympus Trip AF 35” and it looks slightly different, any ideas wether it will produce the same images? Or functions?

[@garethflattery3010]

I brought one yesterday, i look forward to seeing what the results are when i use it in may

[@DanielJamesBird]

awesome! Enjoy using it Gareth

[@garethflattery3010]

@@DanielJamesBird thank you so much

[@jacobmgmt9737]

great video dawg

[@DanielJamesBird]

thank you Jacob!

[@user34rL]

Ah Southwark ❤

[@jodiechamberlain618]

I picked up one of these on marketplace too! im going to Europe for the summer and originally was going to take my OM-10, do you think the trip 35 alone would be good enough for a long trip like this?

[@DanielJamesBird]

I think the Trip 35 will absolutely be good for a trip to Europe! The only bonus of the OM-10 is you get a lot more manual experience and can choose lenses and be more creative with shutter speed and apertures. Personally I’d say take both! But if you want to travel light, the Trip will be perfectly good :)

[@Luna-cf3op]

Did you scan the prints for the slides of the images shown. If so what type of scanner and settings did you use.

[@DanielJamesBird]

I sent them off to a lab to be professionally developed and scanned!

[@dylanw8999]

If you struggle to find a trip35 for a reasonable price online, the Soviet alternative is a FED50 which is gives very similar results.

[@DanielJamesBird]

good to know! Thanks Dylan

[@teochroniou7175]

have you ever used the new kodak ektar h35?? could you make a video review about it?

[@DanielJamesBird]

hey! I’ve actually just finished shooting a roll of film through it and awaiting the scans from the lab! It should be out in about 2 weeks :)

[@cendanaoktaviani1015]

What if i use kodak colorplus 200iso, for indoor shooting without flash only with a light from the room lamp? What iso i should use in the camera? Or would the camera be able to shoot it or not?

[@DanielJamesBird]

That would be a pretty tricky scenario I think ... I'd recommend using a higher ISO or pushing the film.

[@agfhdl239]

This is my first film camera, and I’ve really enjoyed using it so far. My main issue is gauging distance and getting the focus right, I got a lot of blurry photos back. I wonder if anyone has tips for getting the right focus with this camera?

[@DanielJamesBird]

Great first choice!! It’s definitely a tricky thing to nail focusing at first. My tip would be to follow the diagrams as much as possible - if it’s a similar size to the diagram you’re along the right lines. Also try shooting with the aperture around f8 - so that you get a deeper depth of field and more will be in acceptable focus.

[@agfhdl239]

@@DanielJamesBird thank you!!

[@tesso9375]

@@DanielJamesBird Hey Daniel! So here you mention shooting with the aperture around f8 but mostly it's better to put in in Automatic (A) right?

[@DanielJamesBird]

@@tesso9375 Hi Tess! I would say it's best to shoot in A mode yes. That way the camera will always shoot at 1/200th (1/40th in low light) shutter speed, and pick the right aperture based on what the light meter reads :) That's what I used for all these images! :) Hope that helps.

[@nur_9354]

@@DanielJamesBird so does that mean by using the A mode the focus will be much better? My biggest concern is that I might have trouble with focusing while taking photos.

[@lzzzo]

Great video though!

[@KajiRider1997]

I am debating on using my last roll of film on my Olympus trip 35 or my Canon Canonet 28. The only thing the Trip 35 had over it was me thinking it was a half frame like the Pen. I have both. Guess I might got with the Canonet... or my FED 1 but I hate the viewfinder

[@DanielJamesBird]

Whatever you end up shooting with, good luck and enjoy it! Thanks for the comment :)

[@limaargenton]

If I use a 100iso film, should I set the camera to 50iso? Thank you.

[@DanielJamesBird]

If you'd like to overexpose your film by 1 stop then yes absolutely! That should just guarantee that you don't risk any underexposure.

[@leonardlister4087]

Hi thank u just going to buy one what film would u recommend and how do u get the film process do u have negative or slides the old way

[@DanielJamesBird]

Hi Leonard! Awesome. glad to hear. I use negative film and send them to get developed at a lab here in the UK. take a look to see if there’s one near you. I personally use FilmDev.

[@leonardlister4087]

@@DanielJamesBird ok great thank you live in spain so not easy to find a shop, Going back to Sweden next week so that’s where I am buying from 🤗

[@BruceWalkerPhotography]

Cool! Is it likely to need its light seals replaced?

[@DanielJamesBird]

I haven’t experienced the need for that with mine ever!

[@BruceWalkerPhotography]

@@DanielJamesBird awesome. Thanks!

[@ymvni]

4:40 So what mode were these taken with? The landscaping one? Also just simple pictures like those at 7:00 ? Is there one mode you recommend that always works?

[@DanielJamesBird]

They were all set with the focus set to the landscape/infinity mode yep!

[@ymvni]

@@DanielJamesBirdAppreciate your answer!!

[@soheilnikk9581]

Nice ...is that half frame camera?

[@DanielJamesBird]

nope! full 35mm frames :)

[@mohamedabdoumohamed4642]

How do you load the batteries on this Camera?

[@awatt]

You don't

[@JosephBurgess1]

Hi Daniel! What's the rationale for over-exposing the Ultramax 400 film by setting to 200? Can you show some examples of the differences/benefits of not setting the camera to 400, as you'd expect that 400 would be the proper setting?

[@DanielJamesBird]

Hey Joseph! Just to get it out the way - I can for sure in the future shoot 2 different exposures of the same scene and compare it for a video. As for an explanation … So colour negative film typically is much more forgiving in highlight latitude than it is retaining shadow detail. By setting the camera to 200, the negative will be over-exposed by 1 stop, compared to what the camera thinks should’ve been the “correct exposure”. As it’s metered for ISO 200 and not ISO 400 film. This will essentially shift the dynamic range of the film, 1 stop towards the highlights and away from the shadows. The shadows will have more detail, and the very brightest highlights less detail. But as I said, film retains highlights better, so often you gain 1 stop of shadow detail whilst retaining similar levels in the highlights. Film does this because of how it’s exposed, and the density of negative film. If you look up Cody Mitchell’s channel, he’s got a great video that discusses all about metering and film density. I’d highly recommend it. (Apologies that was so long - I’ve typed this out on a long train journey!) Hope that helps! And thanks for watching :)

[@JosephBurgess1]

@@DanielJamesBird thanks so much Daniel! No need to apologise for a long response that was super useful and informative, makes total sense. Am now sat on a long train journey myself responding :) thanks again!!

[@arielputramarthen67]

Mannnn, you really tempted me with this one😅

[@dbowden1411]

I just upgraded to this, only problem is I usually use my camera for nights out, so might need a goofy looking flash for it 😰

[@DanielJamesBird]

yeah it’s definitely not ideal for that - but I’m fairly certain you can get a flash unit to sit on the shoe on top :)

[@stephanosgroutas4338]

Does this camera have a built in flash?

[@DanielJamesBird]

it does not - but it does have a shoe mount on top for a flash! I’ve used my Contax TLA 140 on it before just fine.

[@lapvona]

i just got this camera as a present from my mum and i’m not sure what type of film to buy

[@fearlessbandit1558]

how would a camera like this do in the dark? would you just not shoot at all

[@DanielJamesBird]

So a camera like this definitely isn’t ideal in the dark, as it doesn’t have a flash! If you download a free light meter app on your phone you can see what exposure you’d need for the scenario you’re hoping to shoot in. The brightest exposure this camera would create is f2.8 at 1/40s shutter speed. If you can make that work with maybe a high ISO film then it could work! Hope that helps :)

[@fiona9747]

Im intrigued…. U put the Kodak 400 set to 200 on camera. Can u explain a little more about that :)

[@DanielJamesBird]

Hey Fiona! So - by setting it to 200 you overexpose a 400 ISO film by one stop. This gives one more stop of details in the shadows, and film handles highlights really well, so doesn't tend to blowout highlights too much. It's a way of getting some extra detail in the darker areas and a slightly less contrasty image. All comes down to personal preference really! :)

[@beachthor]

@@DanielJamesBird Great video thanks Dan. I'm now the proud owner of a trip 35 now and would like to start using as a beginner, having purchased iso200 (fujifilm), what would you advise differently compared to the iso400 you used? If i'm getting the logic correctly, to overexpose iso200 film by 1 stop, i'd set the ASA to 160? Appreciate your advice :)

[@skaramicke]

“Please straighten that link in the red chain, thanks” - My OCD

[@DanielJamesBird]

I’d literally never noticed that … sorted! haha

[@fauzanyusri4160]

can someone explain, i’ve been using this camera for 3 years and still got a bad result, i always jealois with the one who can use this camera with maximum potential, anyone got a tip?

[@DanielJamesBird]

I would load it with a ISO 400 or higher film, shoot outside in daylight with the camera set the furthest focus distance, and you should get some good results!

[@pdtech4524]

Interesting video! I definitely need an Olympus Trip 35 in my collection. My latest short video shows my current retro 35mm canera collection. My first experience of the Olympus Trip 35mm was my best friend taking his on a school trip to Lyme Park, I took our family Kodak Instamatic and the results of both showed quite clearly which was better.👍 I've added your channel, hopefully you'll connect?

[@gd70]

Stay Home my Ass!

[@rpavl]

What about not making your music 5 times louder than your voice?