Thoughts on Olympus XA/ Mju/ Mju II ?

[jrose125]

Anybody have experience with a Konica Big Mini?

 

[pvdhaar]

I've had an XA2 (basically a 3 setting scale focus only XA), a Mju-I and twice a Mju-II. The first and last of the three models have something of a cult status, the XA2 because it's most Lomo-LCA-like, the Mju-II because it's one of the smallest slimmest 35mm cameras with a really outstanding lens to boot. That leaves the Mju-I in the middle, and on first glance, it's nothing remarkable, and it's bettered on all sides by the other two. But, of the three, the Mju-I is the only one that stood the test of time and is still running flawlessly..

 

[WJJ3]

The Olys are great cameras.

I bought my first Epic/Mju II in '98 on a whim and am now on my 4th one, so needless to say I am a huge fan of these cameras. I don't think they are particularly prone to breaking, but they aren't much different than all the other plastic wonder from the film era: not worth repairing.

I had an XA before and loved it, wore it around my neck, and shot it a bunch. Until one night I slammed it in the car door right before my dismayed eyes, and that was the end of that. I also own, shoot, and absolutely love the PEN S with the 3cm f2.8 Zuiko. If you want a camera you can actually repair when it has issues I recommend that.

All in all I think Oly was king of the 35mm compact...

 

[charjohncarter]

Mju:I is way underrated and can be found for $5-20.
Here's a recent one I took on Portra 160 film:

Untitled by Mattia Marchi, on Flickr

Hard to see on the IN but the Mju 1 or the Stylus Infinity in the USA is a great camera (would put it up with any lens of the same focal length). Real pocket, like a shirt pocket, I've had mine from new. The only thing that has happened is the plate around the lens fell off, but to no adverse effect. I still use it, and never have a problem with it, it has a great 'fill flash' setting.

One from 22 years ago:

about 1995 C-41 by John Carter, on Flickr

 

[p.giannakis]

Anybody have experience with a Konica Big Mini?

Me. Not bad - not great either, i think i liked the Mju-1 better. I have a post on my blog about it.

http://pansfilmcameras.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/konica-big-mini-bm-201.html

 

[DanskDynamit]

mju-II is fantastic.

 

[David Hughes]

Taken with a µ-I; when I heard the thing coming I was in a field beside the road with the dog; I had to run, skirt round a hedge and whip out the camera before I could grab this. I hope it shows what the µ-I is capable of doing.

As I've said, I've all three (XA, µ-I and µ-II) and the differences between using them have been pretty well covered but I'll add that the XA has to be seen and chosen carefully. Mine was cheap, lasted a while and then failed but wasn't exactly expensive to get sorted out. The XA is a bit fragile, in my experience, and not what I'd carry around as an everyday camera.

The µ's are easier to find but I don't know if there are any specialist repairers. The µ-I is just great (like the XA1, XA2 and XA3) for carrying around all the time but current prices mean I'd worry about all except the XA1 and XA2.

Years ago, I realised that the XA and M2 & 35mm Summaron had a similar spec. if glanced at quickly. So I put a film from the same pack in each and wandered around taking a photo with the XA and then repeating/duplicating it with the M2. I got them developed together and was pleasantly surprised that the XA was as good as the M2 outfit...

Regards, David

PS (EDIT) The Olympus AF-1 mini is worth a look, not such a cult camera as the µ-I and II etc.

 

[ForestCap]

Mju II's 4 elements lens (with aspherical elements) is sharper than XA's unique, compact but sharpness-wise compromised lens.

I got miss-focused photo 1 out of 10 shots, but it could be that my fingers interfered the AF beam.

Taken with Mju II last November:

 

[jrose125]

Just bought a Mju I simply for the fact that I got it for $60 shipped and it's in fantastic condition all around. I'll definitely be keeping a look out for a Mju II but at the moment, it's a little more than I want to spend on a point and shoot.

Thanks to everyone for the comments!

 

[giganova]

How does the Minox 35 compare? I'm also looking for a fixed lens point-and-shoot film camera that I can always have in my pocket. I have narrowed it down to a Nikon One Touch, the XA, mju, or the Minox 35.

 

[Arbitrarium]

How does the Minox 35 compare? I'm also looking for a fixed lens point-and-shoot film camera that I can always have in my pocket. I have narrowed it down to a Nikon One Touch, the XA, mju, or the Minox 35.

Minox 35 lenses are very contrasty and can give excellent vignettes wide open. Scale focus has it's positives and negatives really but it's easier than using the XA's rangefinder. I've had a 35GL and currently using a 35ML. The ML has exposure lock which is extremely useful and can be either aperture priority or full auto.

Minox is smaller and lighter than the XA series but the film canister rattles about a bit inside. I keep meaning to stick some foam in there to pad it. It's tough enough to throw about. My ML fell out of my coat pocket onto a tiled floor. Slight ding on one corner and no other ill effects. Kept on working. People whinge about the shutters not working but it can usually be repaired in 30 seconds if you've got a small screwdriver.

XA series probably have better ergonomics and a nice shutter sound/button. Image quality is pretty similar. I prefer photos from the Minox to the XA2/3 because of the contrast, but the original XA's lens is far superior.

Example shot from MInox 35GL of a dog getting a parking ticket:

 

[David Hughes]

Cheap XA2, cheapo supermarket film and supermarket 1 hour lab...

 

[Solinar]

David - the above is a good example of what was once the perfect hiker's 35mm camera can do.