Olympus MjuII/Stylus Epic problem

[blockend]

Had this camera from new, almost 20 years, but it's recently decided to play up. First it would miss the occasional frame, then overlap frames. Now the lens fully extends when the shutter is pressed, but won't retract until I open the back. And the flash has stopped working.

The fact these issues have happened in rapid succession suggests they have a common root. Has anyone had similar problems and found a solution?

 

[shutterfinger]

As always try a fresh battery, not one that has hung on a store hook for a year or more.
With battery removed, film removed, open the back and blow out the take up chamber with canned air.
Be careful not to shake the can while blowing to prevent chemical contamination of the camera. Its best to hold the can steady and move the camera.
If this does not fix/change the camera's operation I would suspect electronics failure.

 

[blockend]

As always try a fresh battery, not one that has hung on a store hook for a year or more.
With battery removed, film removed, open the back and blow out the take up chamber with canned air.
Be careful not to shake the can while blowing to prevent chemical contamination of the camera. Its best to hold the can steady and move the camera.
If this does not fix/change the camera's operation I would suspect electronics failure.

Tried it with two new batteries - no joy. I suspect it's an electronic gremlin owing to the multiple failings in a camera that has never missed a beat.

 

[shutterfinger]

Those type of cameras use infrared sensors that detect film position and if blocked will throw the camera logic into oblivion. The shutter button may have dirty contact(s).
The camera shell should separate into two sections once the screws are removed with the electronics and lens mounted to the front section. Once the screws are removed the case sections have snap clips that have to be released.
Once separated blowing it out and flushing the shutter switch with contact cleaner may fix it.
If its unusable as is you have nothing to loose.

 

[blockend]

Those type of cameras use infrared sensors that detect film position and if blocked will throw the camera logic into oblivion. The shutter button may have dirty contact(s).
The camera shell should separate into two sections once the screws are removed with the electronics and lens mounted to the front section. Once the screws are removed the case sections have snap clips that have to be released.
Once separated blowing it out and flushing the shutter switch with contact cleaner may fix it.
If its unusable as is you have nothing to loose.

I think that's the next step. Just need to keep away from the capacitor!

 

[shutterfinger]

With the battery removed, turn the main power switch on then manually hold the flash test button for 10 seconds if equipped.
The flash charge capacitor will not be readily accessible removing the back half of the case , once open jumper a 10k ohm resistor across the capacitor for 1 to 3 minutes to ensure its fully discharged.
A 10,000 (10k) is Brown, Black, Orange with the brown band closest to one end on a color coded carbon resistor. The 4th color is the tolerance and is irrelevant for this usage.

 

[blockend]

With the battery removed, turn the main power switch on then manually hold the flash test button for 10 seconds if equipped.
The flash charge capacitor will not be readily accessible removing the back half of the case , once open jumper a 10k ohm resistor across the capacitor for 1 to 3 minutes to ensure its fully discharged.
A 10,000 (10k) is Brown, Black, Orange with the brown band closest to one end on a color coded carbon resistor. The 4th color is the tolerance and is irrelevant for this usage.

Thanks for the info, sounds a little technical for my limited understanding but I'll have a go. As the camera is now selling close to £200 on the Bay, twice the new price, I may send it to my regular repairer. I prefer the XA3 in many ways, as it doesn't focus on things I don't want, but the MjuII was a birthday present from my wife years ago, and has captured many happy memories of the family, so I'd like to keep it going.