Average Point-and-Shoot 35mm Excels in Simplicity - Olympus Trip AF 30
Written: Mar 22 '04 (Updated Mar 23 '04)
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Pros: So simple it's almost foolproof
Cons: Autofocus doesn't always work adequately
The Bottom Line: If you’re looking for an introductory 35mm camera and don’t mind a few unfocused pictures occasionally, you will most likely be happy with the Trip AF 30.
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| jps246's Full Review: Olympus Trip AF 30 35mm Film Camera |
If you want one of the simplest point and shoot 35mm cameras around, then Olympus’ Trip AF 30 is probably a good bet for you.
For picture takers looking for simplicity and few if any “whiz-bang” features, Olympus’ Trip AF 30 is a handy camera for basic snapshots. You won’t find a zoom lens, exposure modes, or much of anything else, but what you will find is a fairly sturdy camera that takes decent shots.
It's quite compact and light and when you are not using it, the lens is protected by a sliding cover, which also turns the camera off - to turn it back on, slide open the cover. The AF 30’s weight with the batteries is still not that heavy and comes in probably around a 1/4 of a pound (I've never weighed it).
This camera is not weatherproof and needs to be protected from the elements (so don’t be using it in the rain) and is quite sturdy. I purchased one for my partner several years ago and beyond a few scratches on the body, the camera runs just as well today as it did when we first got it.
The Trip AF uses standard 35mm print or slide film and can also use color or black and white films. Black and white photos are acceptable but not suitable for enlargements. Color photos are decidedly better and suitable for smaller enlargements.
The autofocus capabilities of the Trip AF could stand for some improvement – I’ve found that fairly often shots are slightly out of focus. It’s imperative therefore that the person taking the pictures make sure what they want focused is in the center of the screen – that forces the camera to focus on that subject. If you don’t do this, print quality is significantly lower and might not be suitable for most users. There is no zoom lens with the Trip AF, therefore what you see through the viewfinder is what you get.
I think that one of the benefits of this camera is its simplicity. While it won’t work if the battery dies, the lack of so many whiz-bang features and add-ons circumvents the possibility of any of these features malfunctioning or breaking. We’ve had the Trip AF for many years and other than some scratches and gashes on the body from brushing up against stuff and some dirt that has had to be scrapped out of some parts of the camera, it looks and works as good as new. We haven’t had any mechanical troubles with the camera, even though it has been out hiking, backpacking, climbing and canoeing with us almost constantly
On most of the hikes and trips, my partner has had his Trip AF while I’ve had any of the innumerable other cameras I’ve gone through. I can’t say the pictures from the AF are always top notch, but the camera does an adequate job and is very simple and easy to use.
Final Thoughts
While the Trip AF 30 isn’t meant for anyone other than a beginning photographer or someone just looking for point-and-shoot simplicity, it does take satisfactory photographs and is about as easy to use as a camera can be. If you’re looking for an introductory 35mm camera or don’t want to be bothered by lots of extras and don’t mind a few unfocused pictures occasionally, you will most likely be happy with the Trip AF 30.
Photography Reviews:
Cameras:
Olympus C-4000 Digital Camera / Olympus D-460 Zoom Digital Camera / Minolta Maxxum 300si (35mm SLR) / Polaroid PDC 640 Digital Camera / Kodak EasyShare CX4300 Digital Camera / Canon Elph LT APS Camera / Olympus Stylus Infinity Zoom 35mm Camera / Casio Exilim Ex-Z4U Digital Camera / Fuji FinePix F700 Digital Camera / Pentax Optio 33WR Digital Camera / Kodak EasyShare 6490 Digital Camera / Canon ELPH Z3 / Olympus Trip AF 30
Books and Magazines:
Shutterbug Magazine / Popular Photography Magazine / PC Photo / Outdoor Photography / Photography Outdoors / American Photo
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 75
This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Fool-Proof for Absolute Beginners
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