Olympus mju-II question (film winding)

[Joao]

Hello!
Can someone please confirm that the film in the Olympus mju-II only winds after closing (completely or partially) the lens cover ?
I was expecting the film winding to begin immediately after shooting - to allow another photo to be taken, but it seems to be necessary to start closing the cover in order to wind the film. Is this the correct way or is there any malfunction ??
Thank you
Joao

 

[bensyverson]

That doesn't sound right... Mine wind after the shot is taken.

 

[btgc]

It should advance right after shot is taken.

 

[Joao]

Thank you! Something is definitely wrong then...
I've just found this camera that has been forgotten in a cupboard several (five? eight?) years ago. One of my sons left it there and sometime later considered it as lost. There was still an half-shot Fuji roll inside. No signs of battery leak or oxides in the battery compartment. New battery and everything seems to work, except for the immediate winding after the shot.
I will see now what comes out with a couple of rolls, and try to find the cost of repairing this problem .
Best regards
Joao

 

[Richard G]

Put it in the sun for an hour. Otherwise repair, which might not be justifiable.

 

[charjohncarter]

I confirm, winds after shooting.

 

[Joao]

... and some more problems

... and some more problems

Thank you all for the input.
First photos - and some more problems - with the “resuscitated” Olympus mju-II. There is a light flare at the lower right (and sometimes also left) corner of the pictures, more evident under bright sunlight

There is nothing I can see that can cause this flare, the movement of the lens seems correct.
Any ideas?
Thanks again
Joao

 

[btgc]

Joao, I sometimes get similar issue with Konica Lexio 70 - it has zoom lens and kind of black soft felt-like material between body and lens barrel (if that is cause, at all). Picture is OK when sun is behind camera, though.

Others have reported same thing on Mju Zoom models...is your 35mm lens or zoom?

 

[Ronald_H]

Yes, it should wind.

As you obviously see from the results it is a great little camera. No idea about the flare though.

Considering its age, a CLA with seal replacement may be in order. I disagree that it is not worth the cost, unless you'll find a boxed one on eBay for less.

I just spent 120E on a Canonet I bought for 20E and I enjoy every minute with it. It went from a usable oddity to a magnificent little RF. The Mju-II is good enough to warrant some TLC as well. If mine is due for that I defintely will.

 

[Joao]

Thanks for the ideas.
Yes, it is a mju-II 80 with a 35-80 zoom, and the light seals might need to be replaced. As I have some personal reasons to keep this camera, I'll check the possibility of a repair.
Regards
Joao

 

[dmr]

I can also confirm that it winds after the shot. CLICK-WHhirrrrrrr-THUNK!

I've occasionally got circular flare in the corners, but not nearly as pronounced as your examples.

 

[btgc]

Thanks for the ideas.
Yes, it is a mju-II 80 with a 35-80 zoom, and the light seals might need to be replaced. As I have some personal reasons to keep this camera, I'll check the possibility of a repair.
Regards
Joao

Hm, if you mean - replace light seals to get rid of circular flares in corners, then I think film door seals aren't suspect, otherwise defects would be red on scan/print?

If you mean seals around lens, I wonder who could take such job. Repairman I know refuses to work on film Mju as "it is too compact and tightly packed inside". Olympus? They should charge leg and arm, I believe. Wish you have fixed your significant camera for reasonable rate.

 

[bensyverson]

Olympus does not charge "an arm and a leg." They quoted me $42 for a complete overhaul (replace seals, clean, etc), which includes a 6 month warranty on the repairs.

Pretty good deal if you ask me!

 

[dmr]

Olympus does not charge "an arm and a leg." They quoted me $42 for a complete overhaul (replace seals, clean, etc), which includes a 6 month warranty on the repairs.

OMG! You mean they actually work on these????

Pretty good deal if you ask me!

Yes. What's the contact info for the Olympus facility that quoted you that price? I may have my older one sent in for service if this is truly for real.

Thanks.

 

[btgc]

They quoted me $42 for a complete overhaul (replace seals, clean, etc), which includes a 6 month warranty on the repairs.

That sounds promising. Interesting is they still have spare parts. Interesting how they preserve rubber seals to not loose elasticity over years of storage. Probably this is fake issue as I have not seen hardened rubber seals in Mju/Epic, most probably they go bad only if they have got crud and then lost shape under pressure while closed.

If they also replace little spring under shutter release button and worn clutch in advance mechanics (if need, of course) - I grab my hat off, Olympus is another great camera company.

 

[bensyverson]

Guys, it is for real. The quote they gave me was for a camera with leaky seals, but they mentioned that this is the flat rate they use for these types of minor repairs. I would imagine spring Or gear replacement would qualify.

Just google "Olympus repair"... It's the first link

 

[bensyverson]

Update: it turns out they are running out of parts, so they weren't able to repair the cameras... Looks like we're on our own

 

[David Hughes]

These people will repair old Olympus cameras and sell spare parts. They are in England at Luton (a little north of London).

http://www.lutoncameras.co.uk/

I'm happy with repairs they have done for me.

Regards, David

 

[bensyverson]

I was able to find a NIB Olympus Stylus Epic... It focuses much better than my old busted versions, and has no light leaks. I love this thing now!

 

[h_A_Z]

I just recently "found" one within my dad's stash of old cameras! Just sent my first roll to the lab. Cant wait to see the results!