Having trouble getting a Stylus Epic that works

Chris Nielsen · May 29, 2012

I've gone through a number of these and there seems to be something wrong with each one. Last one wouldn't stop down which was bad news outdoors. Latest one I just got the test roll back from and the right hand edge of the frame is blurry on every photo.

Are these things just built too small and flimsy or something? Or as time marches on are they just all dying?

CGW · May 29, 2012

Chris Nielsen said:
I've gone through a number of these and there seems to be something wrong with each one. Last one wouldn't stop down which was bad news outdoors. Latest one I just got the test roll back from and the right hand edge of the frame is blurry on every photo.

Are these things just built too small and flimsy or something? Or as time marches on are they just all dying?

Probably the latter. They're far from young now and most affordable p&s cameras, especially zoom models, just didn't stand up to prolonged/heavy use. I gave up on finding another Yashica T4 Super or Konica Big Mini long ago. Most of these are near impossible to get repaired now, too.

Chris Nielsen · May 29, 2012

I have just bought a late model Mju III 28-100 on our local auction site, looks mint so we will have a crack and see if that is any better

mcgrattan · May 29, 2012

Mine has been solidly reliable since i had it. I've had mine about 6 or 7 years. Admittedly I haven't used it much for a while, but I got three or four years of solid regular use from it.

Nicholas Lindan · May 29, 2012

Chris Nielsen said:
Are these things [Olympus P&S's] just built too small and flimsy or something? Or as time marches on are they just all dying?

As an Engineer, it is my opinion they are under-designed: they are none too reliable when new; have no tolerance for the occasional abuse that everything has to suffer from time to time; and eventually they just start to fall apart in your hands. Along with the two I bought, I have a small pile of them that have been passed on by family and friends with a "Maybe you can fix this ..."

Olympus has always had a thing about making small cameras, starting with the 1/2 frame Pen's, the 1/2 the size of the competition RD and SP and the diminutive OM's. Combining ruggedness and miniaturization requires superlative design, something a lowish-volume camera maker probably can't afford.

I use a pair of Yashica T4 Supers that have never given me any trouble, along with a prior T4 appropriated by a girl friend that is going strong and a new-still-in-its-wrapper backup T4 in storage. Ask me if I like T4s.

The camera I would love to find in reliable working condition is a Nikon 35ti.

sandermarijn · May 29, 2012

I've used up three in the course of ten or so years. One fell onto a hard surface, the others died spontaneously.

Lovely cameras for their size and image quality, but not the strongest out there.

You can still buy them new here and there, for reasonable prices.

Newt_on_Swings · May 29, 2012

I have like 10 of the zoom models in inventory, the person before me used to teach the kids with. They are all pretty much broken, most common problem is broken battery latch, others won't power on, cracked plastic, etc. too bad they werent the 2.8's then I would have tried more to salvage a few.

wblynch · May 29, 2012

Too many people chasing them right now.

Too many dishonest people selling bad ones when they should give them away or throw them out.

perkeleellinen · May 29, 2012

I've had pretty good luck with them. One thing that does seem to go is the half-way point on the shutter button, all of mine have stopped having that feel to confirm focusing/metering. I've told the story before of a friend who dropped his into a toilet and then went on to pass his BA photography using only that camera much to the chagrin of his fellow students who dropped four figures on new Nikon/Canon gear.

Chris Nielsen · May 29, 2012

I have had more luck with the zooms so far, there seems to be a correlation between exterior condition and how well they work. The ones with scrapes and dents have been the ones to make bad noises and so on

Chris Nielsen · May 29, 2012

perkeleellinen said:
I've had pretty good luck with them. One thing that does seem to go is the half-way point on the shutter button, all of mine have stopped having that feel to confirm focusing/metering. I've told the story before of a friend who dropped his into a toilet and then went on to pass his BA photography using only that camera much to the chagrin of his fellow students who dropped four figures on new Nikon/Canon gear.

Now that is frickin awesome!

hdeyong · May 29, 2012

I gave up on the little mass consumer cameras with electronics, and just bought a mint Rollei B35. Not cheap, and not the fastest thing in the world, but good pics, and unless something terrible happens to it, should still be snapping away years from now. If it works out as well as I hope it does, I'm going to get another one for slower film.
I think the cameras like the Stylus were basically disposable. They were built to work for several years and by that time, theoretically, they would be lost or chewed on by the new puppy or something. Then the owner would go and buy a new one.

wblynch · May 29, 2012

hdeyong said:
I think the cameras like the Stylus were basically disposable. They were built to work for several years and by that time, theoretically, they would be lost or chewed on by the new puppy or something. Then the owner would go and buy a new one.

Yep. That's why I treat old plastic electronic cameras with great care. They are but dust in the wind.

Chris Nielsen · May 29, 2012

Perhaps I should get a Nikon 35Ti?

thuggins · May 30, 2012

Since the Stylus probably came in at least 20 different variations and lens types, it is hard to know what model you may be having problems with. I was always leery of the long telephoto's, as they seemed to push the limit of a telescoping mechanism. But I used a 105LT for many years and never had a lick of trouble. It even survived a week with my brother in the southwest. I've never had problems with my 35f2.8, although it has not gotten as much use.

While Olympus packed a lot into a tiny package, if anyone could do it, they could. The Stylus series lasted at least 15 years and was one of the last film P&S film cameras produced. This didn't happen because it was a disposable plastic camera. It bears the genetics of the XA's and all its progenitors and relatives.

Chris Nielsen · May 30, 2012

I called it an Epic thinking that was only the 35 2.8 model, of course that could refer to others too. It is the 2.8 I am talking about, sorry for any confusion

Steve Roberts · May 31, 2012

Just had a film back from my Pentax Espio 105W which seems to be leaking light in somewhere around the telescopic lens mount as there are tiny blurry arcs around the same corner of just about every frame. Shame, as I love the aluminium (or is it aluminium 'look'?) shell and 28mm wide end.

Steve

darinwc · May 31, 2012

I seem to remember something about the later f2.8 models having some plastic gearing that wore down quickly.
Whereas earlier models had a metal shaft that was more reliable.

I like the f3.5 model just as well. I dont know why they are not liked as well.

blockend · Jun 2, 2012

I bought a Mju II/Stylus in the early 90s and it's still going strong. They're a great camera photographically but as other posters have said, they suffer from the endemic problems of any small, light, plastic cameras stuffed with electronic gubbins. I dropped my first one the day I got it, no more than a couple of feet and the shell was perfect so it was replaced under warranty, but it was a warning not to do anything similar again.

They're a slippery design but if you get a functioning one, are equal to many more expensive cameras.

Les Sarile · Jun 2, 2012

Who doesn't have the most awesome - truly pocketable 35mm camera?

Chris Nielsen · Jun 3, 2012

Running a test roll through the mju iii 28-100 I received yesterday. Doesn't have the same feel as the epic but it is very shiny and new looking, and I will judge the photos it comes back with, I think.

andrewc · Jun 3, 2012

Also just about finished running a roll of film through my Mju III 28-100. I've had the camera for awhile but have never put a roll through it, so I'm eager to see what the results look like. You're right Chris in saying that it doesn't have the same feel as the Stylus Epic, but I actually think it feels a bit more substantial. I should get pics from it tomorrow and decide if it's a keeper or not.

Andy

wblynch · Jun 3, 2012

Stylus zooms are great cameras. You will be pleased.

Chris Nielsen · Jun 5, 2012

Well, got the test roll back and I can say on the up side, it does make images. Nicely exposed images. On the downside they don't seem particularly sharp...

awwsheeet · Jun 6, 2012

Chris Nielsen said:
Well, got the test roll back and I can say on the up side, it does make images. Nicely exposed images. On the downside they don't seem particularly sharp...

stylus epics are mega sharp. i had a zoom 80 which wasnt bad, how far off are they?

Having trouble getting a Stylus Epic that works

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