Olympus Trip question

[simon ess]

The other day I picked up a mint Trip. It looks like it's never been used.

I've dated it to July 1978 and my guess is it got used that summer holiday and has spent the rest of its life in a drawer, in its bag, lens cap on.

Everything works as expected. Red flag pops up and shutter locks in low light. Aperture behaves as expected.

On my first test roll every shot was a bit under exposed.

Testing it against known accurate meters did suggest it was under a bit.

However, this is the interesting bit, after a couple of days fiddling and playing with it, it now seems more accurate than before.

The question....

Is it possible that having spent 38 years in the dark the selenium meter needed a bit of light and time to get up to speed, so to speak?

 

[srichards]

It's possible I suppose. Unused electronics can do odd things.

 

[trevorbray]

Sounds feasible. Not sure about the science, but I'd probably react that way.

 

[simon ess]

Not sure about the science, but I'd probably react that way.

Yeah, me too.

Thanks both. As soon as this grey mush lifts I'll blast another roll through.

 

[Asha]

Is it possible that having spent 38 years in the dark the selenium meter needed a bit of light and time to get up to speed, so to speak?

Nah, it's simply a matter that the tog has finally figured how to use the darned camera correctly

 

[simon ess]

Possibly, but I doubt I'll ever figure out how to use a camera correctly.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

Just jiggling it about could improve the contact between the selenium surfaces. Cleaning and reseating them in hand held meters often brings them back to life.

 

[simon ess]

That's an interesting possibility.

Thanks Terry.

 

[desf]

They are great wee cameras aren't they? Love mine.

 

[Mr Bump]

maybe the shutter also is off

 

[simon ess]

That's certainly a thought, although I'd normally expect a shutter to run a bit slow rather than fast.

But who knows.

 

[srichards]

Is it fussy about batteries? An incorrect voltage could do weird things.

 

[stevelmx5]

The Trip 35 doesn't use a battery, the selenium cell meters and the camera won't fire if there's not enough light.

 

[simon ess]

Yep, no batteries required.

 

[srichards]

Proper camera then

 

[simon ess]

They are great wee cameras aren't they? Love mine.

Yes indeed.

My XA2 is still my favourite but I've only used the Trip once, so that could change.

 

[desf]

Yes indeed.

My XA2 is still my favourite but I've only used the Trip once, so that could change.

I have the XA3 which is similar I think. Also good but needs batteries of course and the counter has given up on mine.
The Trip keeps plodding on.

 

[happygolucky]

Just been looking on the bay for an XA2, jeez they've gone up in price since a year ago. Found a working one at a starting price of £7, so I bid 8.

 

[stevelmx5]

There's not really any point putting a bid on an auction until the last few seconds. All you're doing is pushing the price up.

 

[simon ess]

Just been looking on the bay for an XA2, jeez they've gone up in price since a year ago. Found a working one at a starting price of £7, so I bid 8.

Just had a look.



Madness.

 

[swanseamale47]

Blimey I'll have to dig mine out and flog it, didn't know they were worth anything.

 

[simon ess]

This time last year they weren't.

I paid £2.50 for the XA2 and an outrageous £10 for my XA

Both are mint.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

I paid £5 for my XA 2 bout 15 years ago and £80 for my XA some 20 years ago

I have an A11 and A16 flash and also the very rare A1L flash, which has a built in lithium battery that can not be charged. (As it was flat I took it apart and soldered in a new one)
My early olympus trip works also very well but that was a free gift.
I also still have my OM 1a and lenses...35 f2.8...28 f2.8...50 f1.4 and 135 f2.8, and 20 and 64 flashes, right angle finder, and drive.