Mju I (∞ Stylus) repair

[valdas]

I have a broken Olympus Mju I. the issue is that the film would not load (motor keeps on working when the back door is closed and then the error sign appears). I disassembled the camera and found out the issue is the cog wheel (or whatever that part is called in English) which transmits the movement of the motor to the take up spool has a few teeth broken (picture attached). It's not something that you go and buy in the supermarket... So, any ideas if this is possible to fix (replace) without paying the price of another used Mju I?

 

[p.giannakis]

The only thing i can think of are tiny headless screws from old lenses screwed in the place of the broken cog.

This is a well recorded problem with these cameras, the later Mju-ii suffers from it too.

 

[PKR]

If it's plastic, you might try a 3D printing service. It looks easily copy-able.

 

[valdas]

If it's plastic, you might try a 3D printing service. It looks easily copy-able.

Yes, I was thinking about it, but probably printing one piece would not be an economic solution, but will need to look into this...

 

[PKR]

Yes, I was thinking about it, but probably printing one piece would not be an economic solution, but will need to look into this...

The expense will be in coding the printer to make the part. If it's a part that fails often, print a bunch and sell them to offset your costs...?

Just a thought.

 

[giganova]

Buy another one cheap for parts.

 

[retinax]

Isn't the mju zoom cheaper? probably has the same part?

 

[valdas]

Buy another one cheap for parts.

They are not that cheap anymore... Decent working condition is >50 EUR (and in buy it now probably around 70 EUR)...

Isn't the mju zoom cheaper? probably has the same part?

Yes, that is an option... Anyway, it is a back up P&S for me (still have working Mju II and Contax T2), so I have plenty of time to look at options.

 

[Fauxtographer]

Yes, I was thinking about it, but probably printing one piece would not be an economic solution, but will need to look into this...

I also have a similar issue with my Stylus Infinity. Seems like this could be a marketable part if someone had some of them to sell...just a thought. Looking at other forums in the last week, this seems to be the most common issue with film feed problems in these beautiful little cameras.

 

[charjohncarter]

Rick Oleson used to repair Olympus small film cameras. You might contact him to see if he has the part or a donor camera.

I've had one from new, it has many plastic things that have cracked. Luckily If been able to glue them together. After I wrote above I realized you may not be in the US so there might be someone similar where you live.

 

[Michael Markey]

The Mju is far from cheap in the Uk with mint examples selling for over £200.

 

[valdas]

I left this project behind for some time - I bought Olympus Mju II (paid 12 EUR), so enjoying this new toy. It has a slight problem though - frame spacing in some cases is uneven, not sure what;s wrong...

 

[Huss]

Just sold my Mju/Stylus (1st version) for $40 on Craigslist. V2 goes for much more.
Was very glad to see this camera go, hated that you'd never know how long the delay would be after you pushed the shutter button and when the camera would actually decide to take a picture.

 

[ForestCap]

I just dissembled and scraped a non working mju1 yesterday, and the exact same cogwheel as shown in OP has a broken tooth... contact me if anyone want any of the other intact cogwheels or screws or parts.

 

[rbiemer]

If it's plastic, you might try a 3D printing service. It looks easily copy-able.

It seems to me that casting a replacement would be quicker, potentially easier, and depending on the material, longer lasting. Maybe?


Rob

 

[wwfloyd]

valdas and nukecoke,


Since you've both disassembled the Mju 1 or Stylus 3.5... I picked one up at Goodwill today. The LCDs activates when the cover is slid open (new battery used), but, the lens does not extend to ready position. Any suggestions? I figure there's half a chance there's an easy fix.