Olympus Trip XB3

The Olympus Trip XB3, a product of 1996, is part of the Olympus Trip series of point-and-shoot cameras. The plastic housing emphasizes the user-friendliness of the camera, ideal for beginners and amateur photographers.

The new price in Japan at the time was 11,000 yen. The model was produced in China.

The camera is characterized by its built-in lens with a fixed focal length of 34 mm. The fixed focus (Focus Free) takes away the focus from the user, while a zoom function is missing. A sliding door protects the lens.

A special feature is the large viewfinder. This should make it easier to use. Unlike SLR cameras, this is not connected to the lens.

Automatic exposure settings remove the need for the user to select aperture and shutter speed. Film speed is detected by the film’s DX encoding, assuming the film has such encoding. ISO 100, ISO 200 and ISO 400 films can be used.

An indispensable feature is the integrated flash, as the camera is not particularly bright. The flash fires automatically and cannot be turned off. A red-eye reduction mode is available on this model.

A strap can be attached to the camera. There is a thread for a tripod on the bottom. There is also a self-timer function. This makes it easy to take group pictures.

Two AA batteries (eBay / Amazon*) provide the camera with the necessary energy for both the flash and film transport.

Films for the Olympus Trip XB3

It is still possible to use the Olympus Trip XB3 today, and used models are already available for 36,68 Euro. Of course you also need films.

The camera uses 35mm film, although fortunately the selection is still large. A film usually allows 36 images to be recorded, the number of which can be viewed using a counter on the top. A small window on the back of the camera shows whether film is inserted.

The Fujifilm Superia 400* is recommended for color photography, while the Kodak T-Max 100* is ideal for black and white photos. According to reports, both films are versatile and deliver excellent results.

The film transport is automatic, with the film being transported further after each exposure. When you reach the end of a roll of film, the camera automatically pulls the film back into the cartridge. This function can also be used ahead of time; a special switch is provided for this.

Quartz Date Model

The Olympus Trip XB3 QD model is a special feature, equipped with a built-in clock. This allows the current date and time to be noted directly on the photos, which makes it easier to assign the times when they were taken later.

The only downside might be the visible placement of the date in the photos. Characteristic of this model are the display and the additional buttons on the back.