Olympus OM-2

The Olympus OM-2 was the upgraded automatic version of Olympus OM-1 and was introduced in 1975. It was an extremely successful 35mm SLR camera and the first one to use TTL (Through The Lens) direct metering system. It has an automatic exposure system (aperture priority) and the shutter speed can reach 1/1000 sec.

Because of the automation, it requires two 1.5V SR44 batteries (EPX-76 or similar). Without the batteries the speed and aperture won't function and the mirror will eventually lock up, rendering the camera unusable.

Caution: if you use the camera for the first time or the batteries are depleted, most probably the camera will be locked, and if you try to move the advance lever it will seem stuck. Don't force it because it will severely damage the camera! You will need to unlock the mirror after making sure you have new batteries installed. See the video below for instructions regarding the unlocking.

As part of the Olympus OM-System, the photographer can choose from a wide variety of interchangeable lenses. Here it is presented with the Olympus Zuiko MC Auto-S 1:1.4, f=50mm lens. It was produced in two different colours: black and silver.

The camera could accept a series of accessories including a motor drive to automatically advance the film, an a Recordata Back which automatically prints the date and time on each photo.

It was replaced by Olympus OM-2n in 1979 which was essentially the same, but with a few modifications.