I picked up this Olympus mju II (µ II) used in 2014, way before the prices skyrocketed (don’t blame me). My battle-worn Olympus has seen plenty of miles and the finish is blemished but the motor and other functions still show no signs of failure. The paint looks like a champagne gold finish, way more fun than standard black or silver. This camera is dear to me because it is a fine travel companion. It fits into my shirt pocket, has a fill flash, works in the rain, and focuses pretty damn close to your subject.
For the most part, this is a dummy camera with auto everything. There are two key features though that give you some manual control. One is the spot meter, which helps you focus and expose for the center of the frame. The other is the flash disable. Unfortunately, you have to dial in these settings every time you turn the camera on by sliding the front door.
There’s also a data back that imprints the date or time onto your 35mm photos. It comes out in red, which is pretty cool and reminiscent of the 90’s.
If you want to overexpose your color negatives or underexpose and push some black and white, you’ll need to take a blade and scratch away the DX code on your film canisters prior to loading. Alternately, if you need to cover up for other codes, you can use some nail polish or tape to prevent electrical contact between the exposed metal on the canister and the sensors inside your camera.
Below are some photos from the last two years. I’m going to break tradition with my blog only covering weddings and engagements. I do a lot more than just wedding photography and I draw from all of my experiences (nine years counting) when I’m on assignment.
