Olympus MJU ii or Contax T2

[btgc]

There's no need for manual focus for this...any working compact will be able to lock exposure in this shot. In given light conditions large aperture will be chosen by camera and given close distance, DOF will be limited, accordingly. Sure, that could vary with film speed (like pushed to 3200) and specific camera biasing longer speeds vs aperture or having exposure controls.

 

[jcb4718]

I have owned 2 Mju II cameras and they both developed the same fault. They leaked light onto the negative, adjacent to the viewfinder. I could see the problem: the seal at that point is just a thin ridge of rubber pressing against a flat surface. It looked OK in both cases, but eventually they both leaked light. It looked like a design weakness to me but I have not seen the problem reported elsewhere on the net, so maybe I was just unlucky.

 

[leicapixie]

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=140598

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=140598

I have used both cameras.
The Contax is always way more expensive!
The Olympus Stylus were sold in huge numbers, here in North America.
There are plenty available in Goodwill and similar "charity" shops.
I bought one for $5, the others for $2.
The "weatherproofing" was when Olympus made them..
Something to not rely on.
My Olympus lens is almost as sharp as my Rollei-35 Tessar.
It is though a zoom!
The clamshell body a better resistance to pocket dust and lint.
If you go Contax, suggest a small pouch.
The flash default, really not a problem.

 

[Frank Petronio]

I think you were unlucky, I've had good luck with several Olympus Mju/Stylus cameras since they were made. The last couple I got were the older 35/3.5 models for under $20 on eBay and they worked great.

However after years of fiddling about I found that at least for me, the smaller the camera gets, the less I want to fiddle with tiny controls and micro viewfinders. The cheap Olympus bested the more expensive and exotic compacts I've owned. I want automation and auto-focus for something like this. Color negative film gets me past tweaking exposures....

I did like the Ricoh GR a lot but the lens is too wide for my taste (28) and they are getting long in the tooth so many have faulty LCDs or other flaws. I tried the Contax T2 and while it is well built, it is too tiny for my XL mitts. Same for most of the others I've come across. Even the old scale focused Rollei 35s were too fussy for me.

The Fuji Klasse I had was quite good and had larger controls in a well built, modern body. I would probably opt for another one since they are the newest/latest manufacture.

Frankly I came to the conclusion that if I want a manual control, responsive camera then I need to get a compact full-sized body - like a Konica Hexar, Leica RF (the LTM bodies are small), or even a small SLR like an OM-4 or a Nikon F3.

However in the end I finally went digital for small cameras since the quality was so much better than film. I don't care for the tiny buttons and dials on the compacts but I can make do with a Panasonic m4/3, I do like the iPhone quite a bit.

 

[Gregoyle]

I think you were unlucky, I've had good luck with several Olympus Mju/Stylus cameras since they were made. The last couple I got were the older 35/3.5 models for under $20 on eBay and they worked great.

However after years of fiddling about I found that at least for me, the smaller the camera gets, the less I want to fiddle with tiny controls and micro viewfinders. The cheap Olympus bested the more expensive and exotic compacts I've owned. I want automation and auto-focus for something like this. Color negative film gets me past tweaking exposures....

I agree with this. A point and shoot is something that fits in my back pocket, and that I can pull out quickly, aim, and press a button. Manual controls would be too small for me to enjoy using them.

For the OP, one thing to keep in mind is that both the Olympus and the Contax only go to f/2.8, so low light performance will not be stellar no matter what you do unless you use flash.

I do know that if you want to push film on the Olympus, you need to scratch away at the DX coding to change it (it takes about 5 minutes per roll after you learn how). The camera does not allow you to set the ASA manually.

-Greg

 

[johnamazement]

I've never used the Contax but I used to own a Mju II which I never got on with. There seemed to be a shutter lag so it was difficult to tell exactly when the shutter had fired.

I much prefer the Canon Sureshot Supreme. It has much faster auto-focus and a brilliant 38mm f/2.8 lens.

It still has the annoying auto-flash to defeat each time the light levels drop and a noisy motor-wind, but you can pick them up for peanuts – I got mine at a charity shop for about £3 – so worth trying even if you don't keep it.

 

[btgc]

Supreme has 38/2.8 lens, probably not much different from MjuII's lens.

I can just agree that Mju isn't miles ahead, but is hyped and sought after. Well, it has long times up to 2 sec. - something not many compacts did back then, and it has got small, unusual body. Nice camera, but from todays perspective I see there too many reasonably priced alternatives, same for Yashica T4 and T5. Zeiss glass or not, but fully automatic compact isn't position to burn lots of money. Hah, but then 100+ isn't lots for someone....If you get them for a fiver at roadside sales, it's different.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

And there's the Leica mini, II and III and all the soi dissant variations in Panasonic, Minolta etc. Plus the Konica A4 but I'd go for something with +1 or +2 EV's as an override and an infinity lock.

Regards, David

 

[clx]

Thanks to everyone who replied to my queries! I finally decided to get the T2 🙂

 

[pvdhaar]

I'd go for something with +1 or +2 EV's as an override and an infinity lock.

Some compacts (like the Mju-II) have spot metering instead, so backlight compensation isn't crucial. But the one thing that I did really miss indeed on the Mju-II was the infinity lock. There is a workaround by covering the AF window, but it's a kludge that sometimes fails..

 

[Pete B]

They're both fuji-made, though the Rollei apparently has a different lens coating. They are, for all intents and purposes, the same camera. I paid less than £150 for a mint copy a while back, I've seen them go for less/more.

I wonder if you got it off me? If you'd like the original manual, PM me.
It gave superb image quality. The one thing that made me sell it was lack of a simple overexposure button. Perhaps its size too. I have a mju2 now and I'm very happy with it depite no overexposure button.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrchombee67/12644138675/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrchombee67/12644148085/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrchombee67/12644276403/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrchombee67/12644153945/
Pete

 

[btgc]

A4 has no EV override (BM-201 and later models have), Mju has spot metering (PITA to enable, though) but INF lock is easy - prefocus on something distant and that's it.

This were my first cameras but must say I like older cameras more (even electronic models). More articulated release buttons, f/2.8 lens is a minimal norm not something extraordinary like on Mju.

 

[Peter_S]

Have you considered the Contax T? I have not used mine enough yet to tell much, but it may fullfill some requirements. It certainly is quite, has manual ISO and additionally +1.5 EV override. Downside: ISO 1000 max, plus the 1.5 EV....I do not know how low "low light" is for you.

 

[David Hughes]

A4 has no EV override (BM-201 and later models have), Mju has spot metering (PITA to enable, though) but INF lock is easy - prefocus on something distant and that's it.

This were my first cameras but must say I like older cameras more (even electronic models). More articulated release buttons, f/2.8 lens is a minimal norm not something extraordinary like on Mju.

Hi,

You're right about the A4; and the worst thing for me is that I use it more than any other P&S with a prime, except for the Contax Tix. I guess it's old age...

And I do agree about the older ones, bigger and bulkier but faster lenses and a lot take AA's.

Regards, David

 

[clx]

Have you considered the Contax T?

Looked for it on eBay but couldn't find any so I went with a titanium black T2 🙂

 

[BlackXList]

I have a T3, and yet, and it's wonderful, I'm a huge fan.

Yet I still find myself going "hmm what about the T2?"

I'm aware this is illogical, but then GAS often is, so can anyone tell me if there's anything to my hankering, or should I just get over the curiosity.

 

[clx]

Can anyone please tell me how long does approximately the CR123 battery lasts? Thanks!

 

[Frank Petronio]

A long time in a camera, less in a flashlight... 20-rolls

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

I've had a T2 and a T3, and currently have the Olympus.

I've seen some fantastic pictures from other people out of the Olympus. But, i've had mine for two or three years and have yet to develop a single roll. I just have no interest in using it. I've never liked the plastic-ness, or the 'shell' design, but what irks me most is not feeling like i have control over it, aperture-wise.

I know it's a P&S, but i don't like all-automatic cameras.

The lens on it is surely capable, but it's a moot point if i never feel inspired to use it.

Oh, i forgot - i've also owned a Klasse....

Maybe this will help:
I'm hoping to buy another 'P&S' soon, and would love to have a T3 again, if only for the size. If i don't spend that money, i'll get the T2, which i sorta like for the aperture ring around the lens, and for the lens' rendering. I wouldn't go back to the Klasse over the Contaxes, but not because there's anything wrong with the Klasse. The Contaxes just feel better.

 

[clx]

I've had a T2 and a T3, and currently have the Olympus.

I've seen some fantastic pictures from other people out of the Olympus. But, i've had mine for two or three years and have yet to develop a single roll. I just have no interest in using it. I've never liked the plastic-ness, or the 'shell' design, but what irks me most is not feeling like i have control over it, aperture-wise.

I know it's a P&S, but i don't like all-automatic cameras.

The lens on it is surely capable, but it's a moot point if i never feel inspired to use it.

Oh, i forgot - i've also owned a Klasse....

Maybe this will help:
I'm hoping to buy another 'P&S' soon, and would love to have a T3 again, if only for the size. If i don't spend that money, i'll get the T2, which i sorta like for the aperture ring around the lens, and for the lens' rendering. I wouldn't go back to the Klasse over the Contaxes, but not because there's anything wrong with the Klasse. The Contaxes just feel better.

Didn't know that the T2 comes with an aperture ring, I'm glad I made the right pick! (picked the T2 over Klasse cause I'm not too fond of silver cameras)