Swing – Olympus MJU II – Ilford XP2
A few months ago an ad on social media got my attention. A reseller was offering an Olympus MJU II for sale. It was silver, with a yellow stained chassis and clean optics. They wanted £349.99.
I know that there are a number of 35mm compacts that are now commanding eye-watering prices, and that this has been going on for a while now, but MJU II prices felt like they were getting silly at £200.
Looking Up – Olympus MJU II – Kodak Portra 400
I used the inflation tool on the Bank of England (BoE) website* to check how crazy I was going, (something which is, in itself a barometer). The MJU II sold new for between £80-£100 in the late 90s. According to the BoE and their average 2% annual inflation, that would be £160 now.
I do understand how scarcity and desire affect price, but even so, £350 seems like a lot of money. A quick check on eBay puts this price towards the high end of the market, but not the high point. There are people asking more for these cameras.
City Island from Canning Town – Olympus MJU II – Ilford XP2
It dawned on me at around the same time that I hadn’t actually finished a roll of film since last August. That was a gap of about 8 months, and was a record for me. It was time to get loaded and shooting again, and now that my MJU II was worth 50% more than it was the last time I shot it, I thought I ought to check I still liked it.
Welcome – Olympus MJU II – Ilford XP2
Still Looking Up – Olympus MJU II – Kodak Portra 400
Point and Shadow – Olympus MJU II – Ilford XP2
I still really like the Olympus MJU II despite its foibles. I like the lens and the body size, and the speed and… basically everything except the forgetful flash, and the lack of aperture control, which aren’t foibles as much as design choices.
The thing I learned from these rolls is the same thing I always learn, that I love the camera I’m using and don’t want to part with it. (I was surprised again by how much I liked the Ilford XP2 images, I don’t know why i was surprised, I should shoot more of that stuff.)
Point and Shadow – Olympus MJU II – Ilford XP2
The MJU II and I average a few decent images per roll, and it’s fun, compact and thus far entirely reliable. How much better would the images be out of one of those eye-wateringly pricey classics? (I really do want to find out by having a go with a Minolta TC-1, or a Contax T3.)
I didn’t pay £350 for my MJU II, and I don’t think I would. At this point even the last ones off the line are twenty years old, and those plastic gears and electronics are only going to work for so long. Mine will brick one day, and when it does I’ll be sad but not heartbroken, (or broke).
Canon 5D Classic – EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
What I did decide to do is spend £350 on new, current film cameras, to see what kind of fun/trouble I can get into for the same money. This is gear that’s hot off the 3d printer and ready to race, I’ll let you know how I get on.**
In other news, the Canon 5D Classic continues to shine, (another camera that costs less than an Olympus MJU II now does…)
*Should you wish to check your sanity via inflationary trend estimation then you can do so here – www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy/inflation/inflation-calculator
**Reader be aware, this is not going to be in anyway scientific, sensible, well researched considered or organised. This will be whim and happenstance in action.