Olympus Trip XB401

Introduced in 2000, the Olympus Trip XB401 is part of the Olympus Trip point-and-shoot camera family. Its plastic body ensures easy handling, making it an excellent choice for beginners and recreational photographers. It was produced in China.

The Olympus Trip XB400 model is similar to the XB401, but does not offer a self-timer.

A striking feature of the camera is the built-in 27mm fixed focal length lens. Thanks to the “Focus Free” mode, manual focusing is not required and there is no zoom function. A minimum distance of 1.5 meters from the photo subject is recommended. A sliding cover protects the lens from damage.

Particularly noteworthy is the generous viewfinder, which makes handling easier. Unlike DSLR cameras, it is not directly connected to the lens.

Automatic adjustments to exposure, aperture and shutter speed are carried out by the camera, which recognizes the film sensitivity through the DX coding of the film. If this coding is missing, the camera automatically selects ISO 100.

The built-in flash plays an essential role due to the camera’s limited sensitivity to light; it fires automatically and cannot be turned off.

A lanyard is included, and there is a screw connection for tripods at the bottom of the camera. There is also a self-timer, which makes the camera perfect for self-portraits and group photos.

Power is provided by two AA batteries (eBay / Amazon*), which are responsible for both the flash and the film transport.

Films for the Olympus Trip XB401

The Olympus Trip XB401 can still be used today, with used models available at reasonable prices. Of course, this requires appropriate films.

The camera is compatible with 35mm film and there is a wide range of film types available. As a rule, a film allows 36 exposures, the number of which can be read on a counter on the top of the camera. A small window on the back shows 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 images. Both films are characterized by their flexibility and outstanding image quality.

After each shot, the film is automatically transported. When you reach the end of a film, the camera automatically pulls the film back into the cassette. This function can also be controlled manually using a dedicated button.