Olympus Stylus Epic (mju II) crash course?

[ChrisPlatt]

After admiring it for years, I finally bought an Olympus Stylus Epic (mju II) camera.

I may be traveling light to Boston next weekend, by Amtrak with just an overnight bag. The forecast
is for thunderstorms every day. The tiny weatherproof Olympus might be the right camera for this trip.

I have heard this model has a few quirks, and with only a week to get acquainted I'm behind the curve.
Anyone have a list of easy to remember pointers to keep my pictures from becoming a total disaster?

TIA,
Chris

 

[sockeyed]

Great camera!

It's pretty fool-proof. Pressing the button half-way will lock the exposure and focus (using the cross-hairs in the middle of the VF).

Pressing the two buttons on the back simultaneously will turn on the spot metering.

I believe the camera defaults to ISO100 when you put uncoded DX film in it. There is no way to manually adjust ISO.

 

[rbiemer]

One other thing; the default flash setting is "On" so you'll want to remember to change it as you open (turn on) the camera each time if you want any of the other settings.
Nice little camera--I loaned mine to my mom and I don't think I'll ever get it back!
Try here for a manual:
http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_download_manuals.asp

Rob

 

[petronius]

I set the camera always on spot metering/spot AF, because i don´t like the multispot AF in normal mode. It gave me some mismeasurements when shooting groups or street.

 

[btgc]

I have used Mju with f2.8 lens for a years and no missed focus issue. I will not give my leg and arm for this, though I think that in normal mode focus only is locked, and exposure + focus in spot mode.

With Mju there's one weak point - half-pressed button position is ensured by ellipse shaped spring. When camera is used properly (read - many clicks) this spring breaks and Mju turns into simpler camera. For distant view it still works well, though.

Another problem is internal gearing wearing out, resulting in lens not protruding or locking after shot. One can hear this - sound becomes different.

So while it works it's great little gem.

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

The slow flash mode is pretty fun. I use that fairly regularly with 400 asa film.

 

[sanmich]

Carefull with the ASA settings.
I discovered the hard way that 64 ASA is NOT on the catalog.
I wanted to shoot K64 and pictures went out washed out quite a bit.

 

[jmilkins]

I remember a reviewer noting that the camera had an odd vignetting that only seemed to be on the top half of the image, especially with flash. Then he looked at a picture of himself using it and realised he was wearing a baseball cap!

I enjoy using mine. Sounds perfect for your planned trip.

 

[btgc]

On flickr there were discussion on ISO settings in context of K64. Manual says that Mju recognizes DX codes of ISO 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 and 3200. When "no DX coded film is used or ISO is smaller than ISO50, film speed ISO100 is set" - this is from manual. So I believe that in case of ISO64 Mju thinks - mhm, don't know this value, let's set it to ISO100.

Someone gave link to article explaining that if film with ISO mid-values is used, like ISO64, Mju sets ISO to nearest lower value. Maybe it does so, though I can not figure it out from Olympus manual. Maybe that guy has done his own checks and Oly have decided not to include this info in manual because so few are using film with such ISO values - I can' t comment on this. I stand on point "if things don't work I start reading manual" 🙂

 

[Jan Van Laethem]

Not much to add to what has been said above. The remarks about the film speed settings are true. I have used the camera with ISO 125 black and white film, even if it automatically selects 100 that is not a big issue with negative film. I have also used it quite a bit with slide film and exposures have usually been spot on. The Mju II is actually the only compact camera I trust with slide film, it's exposure system is very reliable.

As for the camera itself, I have used it on hiking, on ski trips, in rain, on a boat trip and it has never developped a problem. Enjoy your camera, it is one of the best Olympus has made.

 

[MRohlfing]

Yes, the exposure system works very well with slides (even Velvia 50). I like the camera, because it is so small and easy to use even with one hand.
What I do not like so much: red eyes guaranteed when taking pictures of people with flash, absolutely no hint of f-stop and exposure time, no possibility to stop down (the lens stays fully open and the camera uses the shortest possible time unless the light is very bright).

That is why I use the XA instead very often.

 

[Meleica]

My Oly Epic article with photos:

http://antiquecameras.net/olympusstylusepic.html

Dan

 

[rbiemer]

Thanks, Chris!
Since I'm not likely to get my Stylus back from mom, this is very much appreciated. I have been using a Pentax UC-1 for the same kind of situations that I would use the Epic but it is a bit too large and not as svelte as the Epic. Hopefully I will have the one I ordered before 4 July.
Rob

BTW anyone interested in buying one of these should have a look at eBay item number 330247915263.

Chris

P.S. I am in no way connected to this seller etc. etc. etc.

 

[Ronald_H]

The Mju-II is the most foolproof cam I have ever used. Period. The refinement of the AF and metering system in a camera this tiny has to be experienced to be believed.

Even in this digital age I still regularly use mine.

On top what has been said, the lens is pretty good, but it will vignette quite a bit when a larger aperture is needed. Be aware.

It is weatherproof, tiny and sturdy. A true classic.