The Olympus Trip Panorama is characterised by its user-friendliness as a compact camera, developed by Olympus in the 1990s. This camera offers hardly any customisation options, which simplifies its use. Its original retail price was 18,000 yen in Japan, where it was also manufactured.
With a plastic body, the camera is equipped with a non-adjustable lens. With a focal length of 33 mm, the lens offers a maximum aperture of f/4.5. An integrated sliding door serves to protect the lens.
The camera does not have autofocus, instead the focus is fixed. For clear shots, it is recommended to keep at least one metre away from the subject.
It is not possible to adjust the exposure manually, as neither the aperture nor the shutter speed can be varied. However, the sensitivity of the film can be adjusted between ISO 100, 200 and 400 using a slider on the front.
This model offers neither a tripod thread nor a self-timer function.
However, a camera strap can be attached to the Olympus Trip Panorama, which was originally sold with a matching carrying case.
If required, the camera has an integrated flash, powered together with the rest of the camera by two AA batteries (eBay / Amazon*). These batteries are also responsible for the automatic film transport.
A striking feature is the panorama function, in which two bars mechanically cover part of the image frame, resulting in a wider image format. Alternatively, the panorama effect can also be achieved by cropping the image after development, as no additional image information is captured in panorama mode.
The panorama mode is activated before the film is loaded via a switch in the film chamber. In the successor, the Olympus Trip Panorama 2, the switch is located on the outside of the camera.
Films for the Olympus Trip Panorama
According to the operating instructions, the Olympus Trip Panorama uses 35mm film, which can still be produced and developed in most photo labs.
The Kodak Gold 200* is recommended for vivid colour photographs, while the Ilford Delta 100* ensures high-quality black and white images. Both film types are known for their quality and reliability.
The colour film is suitable for the C-41 development process, a common standard used by most labs. In Germany, the development of C-41 colour film is also possible in large drugstore chains.
Black and white films require special developing processes, which can be offered by professional laboratories or carried out at home with suitable chemicals and accessories.
Quartz Date Version
In addition to the standard version, there was also a Quartz Date version of the Olympus Trip Panorama. This version has a built-in clock that makes it possible to record the date and time on the photos.
