The Olympus Trip XB400, a product from the year 2000, is one of the Olympus Trip point-and-shoot camera series. Its housing, made of plastic, makes it particularly user-friendly and therefore ideal for beginners and hobby photography enthusiasts. They were manufactured in China.
A similar model is the Olympus Trip XB401. This model comes with a self-timer, but is otherwise similar to the XB400.
A characteristic feature of the camera is its integrated lens with a fixed focal length of 27 mm. The “Focus Free” mode saves the user from having to focus manually and does not require zooming. A distance of 1.5 meters from the subject should be maintained. A sliding cover is used to protect the lens.
Another highlight is the generously sized viewfinder, which simplifies operation. However, unlike SLR cameras, it is not directly connected to the lens.
The camera automates the setting of exposure, aperture and shutter speed, identifying the film speed via the film's DX encoding. This assumes that the film inserted has such an encoding. If there is no encoding, the camera sets a value of ISO 100.
The built-in flash is also essential, which is of great importance due to the camera's limited light intensity. It triggers automatically and cannot be deactivated.
The equipment includes a carrying strap and there is a tripod thread on the bottom.
The camera is powered by two AA batteries (eBay / Amazon*), which operate both the flash and the film transport.
Films for the Olympus Trip XB400
It is still possible to operate the Olympus Trip XB400 today, with used examples available at an affordable price. Of course you need suitable films.
It accepts 35mm films, and the good news is that the variety of films here is still great. Typically, 36 exposures can be taken with one film, the number of which can be read using a counter on the top of the camera. A small viewing window on the back reveals whether a film is inserted.
The Fujifilm Superia 400* is recommended for color photography, while the Kodak T-Max 400* is ideal for black and white photographs . Both films offer excellent results due to their versatility.
The film advances automatically after each shot. When the end of the film roll is reached, the camera automatically pulls the film back into the cartridge. This function can also be activated manually using a special button.
