Thinking of buying a cheap Olympus Trip 35? Learn why a fully serviced and tested camera offers better reliability, quality, and long-term value than untested eBay alternatives.
If you’ve ever thought, “Why should I buy one of your cameras when I can get a cheaper one on eBay?”… then just maybe… this post is for you.
I completely understand. The Olympus Trip 35 is one of the most popular vintage cameras around and carries with it iconic status for many film loving enthusiasts, and it’s easy to think they’re all the same. A quick search online and you’ll see dozens listed at half the price of mine of even less!
So, to save you some research time, I’ve written this blog to answer the most common reasons people don’t buy from me… and to explain why those reasons might just work in mine and your favour (wink-wink).
1. “Why should I buy an “expensive” Trip 35 from you when they’re much cheaper on eBay or Facebook Marketplace?”
You absolutely can find cheaper ones online… trust me, I see far too many… but “cheap” doesn’t always mean “good.” Most of those cameras haven’t been serviced, tested or used for decades. A bargain price might mean internal mould / fungus, corrosion, sluggish shutters and sticky apertures, worn parts, failed light seals and (quite common) a loose lens assembly. Or, it may have a light meter that died sometime ago, or is so degraded and feeble it can’t push the right amount of energy to the aperture assembly to get an accurate exposure.
My cameras are fully stripped, inspected and serviced, not just cleaned… but sanitised, and fully function tested by hand. They’re ready to use and built to last… not just to look good in photos and get a quick sale.
2. “Your prices are overinflated.”
To me, and many very satisfied customers they’re fair for what’s included: a complete CLA and professional service, new light seals and maybe leather skin, full testing, and a 90-day warranty. Each one represents approx. 4 hours of careful mechanical work, testing and inspection.
If you want a Trip 35 that just looks nice on a shelf, there are cheaper options. If you want one that works perfectly like it did when it left the factory in 1978 and will keep working, mine are priced honestly for that peace of mind… whilst also helping me make an ethical profit to keep me motivated so I can keep going (sometimes to my wife’s muttering about my “hobby”)… I want to save as many Olympus Trip 35’s as possible.
3. “You just stick a new leather on the camera and give it a clean.”
The leather re-covering for some cameras is the final touch, not the main job. Before that, every mechanism is checked, function tested, parts cleaned, and adjusted… the shutter, aperture, viewfinder, focus, light seals etc. Stripping a Trip 35 is not for the feint hearted and there are lots of things to look out for that might mean a short life for a Trip 35 even if it appears to click and wind on okay which is what some private sellers consider a working camera.
When you buy from me, you’re not paying for decoration… you’re paying for dedication… and sometimes frustration, a couple of naughty words and endless cups of tea… trying to get the most difficult cameras back in tip top condition and working like new.
4. “Most of the cheap cameras on eBay will probably work. And if they don’t, I could just buy another one.”
True… you might get lucky. But that’s what it is: luck.
By the time you’ve bought a few duds, paid for return postage, and waited for refunds, you’ll have spent more than if you’d bought one properly serviced from the start.
As the old saying goes. “Buy cheap – Buy Twice” or even 3 times rings true with these cameras. Did you know that a “working” camera that has not been used for a long time will usually seize up pretty quickly (within days / a few weeks) once that dirt, grime and dust start moving about in the camera.
Buying from Have A Nice Trip means you skip the gamble. You just load your film, shoot, and enjoy.
5. “I’ve seen people on Facebook showing off cheap cameras that take great photos. How do I know you really do what you say?”
That’s great… I love seeing people discover film and sharing their success stories! But a Trip 35 that works “for now” isn’t the same as one that’s been fully serviced to last for years. As mentioned above – but worth saying twice… many Trip 35’s appear to work when first awoken from a deep slumber in storage for many years. That is until the dirt, dust and grease in the camera start to move around and then everything just seizes up and the camera becomes useless.
I’ve built my reputation around doing exactly what I say. I have constant 5 Star Reviews, Etsy Star Seller Status since inception, repeat customers, and the fact that I have had no warranty claims in the past 24 months (as of November 2025). Also, I’m one of the very few Olympus Trip 35 Specialists in the world and I’m proud of that too. I would hope that if I buy a camera from someone else they will give as much as I do to my products, service and customer support.
6. “The cameras look new and shiny, but how do I know what the inside is like?”
You’re right to ask… the inside is what really matters. Every camera I sell has been carefully inspected internally: the shutter, aperture, light seals, mechanics such as the red flag and winder, lens settings and optics are all checked and cleaned before a single photo is taken for the listing.
What you see on the outside is simply the result of proper work on the inside. In fact, 80% of my time with a camera is spent inside not outside.
7. “A 90-day warranty doesn’t sound long enough.”
In modern terms, 90 days sounds short. But remember, these are fully mechanical cameras built with amazing Japanese engineering. Once properly serviced, they’re incredibly stable. Ninety days gives you more than enough time to shoot, develop, and enjoy your first rolls of film. Any problems we can sort it out – but I’m confident you will both be fine.
I’m not one to disappear. I stand by my work… that’s how I’ve built trust with my customers and I’m always around for a chat / advice even after the warranty has expired.
8. “You probably buy them cheap and make loads of money.”
I wish that were true! Good base cameras are getting harder (and more expensive) to find. Then there’s the time, tools, materials, and testing that go into each restoration.
By the time everything’s done and paid for, there’s not a huge profit… just the satisfaction of bringing another Trip 35 back to life and sending it out into the world again.
9. “There are loads of sellers offering serviced Trip 35s. How do I know you’re the best one to buy from?”
It’s true… and that’s a good thing for film photography in general, and particularly the Olympus Trip 35. But my focus is unique: I only sell Olympus Trip 35s*. That means every ounce of experience, every tool, and every technique I use is fine-tuned for this one model.
You’re not buying from a general vintage seller… you’re buying from someone who lives and breathes Trip 35s.
*At the end of year, I list a clearance sale of non-Trip 35 cameras. These are cameras from my personal collection that I’ve come across throughout the year, and I just couldn’t let it pass me by – they are normally “As New” or even unused gems that I like to share with my customers. And they have great discounts: https://olympustrip.co.uk/product-category/beyond-the-trip-35/
10. “Film photography will fade away again, just like before.”
Film didn’t fade… it paused. Now it’s back stronger than ever. Film labs are thriving, new stocks are being made, manufacturers are making film cameras again… and younger photographers are falling in love with photography and film developing.
The Olympus Trip 35 isn’t a fad. It’s a timeless, mechanical masterpiece that connects generations… and will outlast most digital cameras and mobile phones made today.
11. “There aren’t many good condition Trip 35s left… most are too far gone.”
You’re right… truly good ones are becoming rare. That’s why I do what I do. I carefully source the best examples, restore them properly, and make sure they’re given another long life. I spend far too many hours every week looking for the best Trip 35’s available for sale. I estimate that I buy probably on 0.5% of all the Trip 35’s I see for sale.
Every Trip I sell is part of preserving photographic history… one classic camera at a time.
In the End…
I don’t sell cheap cameras. I sell honest ones.
Every Olympus Trip 35 that leaves my bench has been cared for like a small piece of history… something that deserves to keep creating new memories, not sit forgotten on a shelf.
So yes, you’ll always find cheaper options elsewhere. But if you want a camera that’s ready to shoot, built to last, and backed by someone who genuinely cares… you’ve just found your Trip.
Other blogs here:
The History of the Olympus Trip 35
