Olympus MJU II repair & common faults
Good coverageThe Olympus mju II, sold in North America as the Infinity Stylus Epic, is a weather sealed 35mm point and shoot from 1997 built around a fast 35mm f/2.8 lens and a sliding barrier door that doubles as the camera's on/off switch. Most of its faults trace back to that barrier mechanism, the ageing foam seals fitted throughout the body, or the small LCD and motor driven electronics typical of a camera this age.
Programmed autofocus point-and-shoot · Motor-driven electromagnetic shutter · Sliding barrier lens cover doubles as power switch · DX-coded auto exposure · CR123A 3 V lithium battery
Common Olympus MJU II faults
Olympus MJU II lens barrier won't open
The sliding barrier is also the camera's power switch, so when it jams half open or won't retract the camera can look completely dead. The fault usually sits in the barrier spring or the gear train that drives it, sometimes with the switch contact underneath losing continuity. Worth trying the barrier a few times by hand before assuming it is terminal, sand or grit is a common trigger.
Olympus MJU II flashing E won't load film
A flashing E on the LCD points at the film transport failing to detect sprocket advance or DX contact reading, most often because the back isn't seated properly or the contacts are dirty or worn. It can also mean the take-up spool or gear train has failed to grip the leader. Check the back is fully closed and latched before assuming a fault.
Olympus MJU II LCD screen missing segments
When segments of the top LCD start dropping out or the whole display fades, it is nearly always the LCD panel or its rubber connector losing contact rather than anything affecting picture quality. It is cosmetic more often than not, but if the frame counter or battery symbol vanish entirely it can make the camera awkward to use blind. A fresh battery rules out a simple power sag.
Olympus MJU II light leaks on film
Streaks or fogging along the edge of frames, especially near the film door or sprocket edge, points to the foam light seals inside the back and film chamber perishing with age. Once that foam turns to dust or goes tacky it stops blocking light, and every frame afterwards is affected. This is one of the most common faults found on a camera this age.
Olympus MJU II won't fire, camera seems dead
If the camera won't fire at all and the barrier operates normally, suspect the shutter release switch or the drive motor rather than the shutter blades themselves, since the mju II's shutter is motor driven rather than spring wound. A fresh CR123A is the first and only thing worth trying yourself, after that it is a motor or switch contact question.
Olympus MJU II battery door won't stay shut
The battery door hinge is a known weak point on this model, the plastic tab that holds it shut can crack or snap off with normal use, leaving the door loose or missing entirely. It doesn't affect the electronics but a door that won't latch can let the battery lose contact or fall out mid-roll. Check the door clicks fully shut before assuming a power fault.
Stuck on your Olympus MJU II?
Describe the fault or drop in a photo. The technician reads the service data, marks up what it sees, and walks you through it. Pay as you go, no subscription.
Try it now ›Scatto is a reference tool for people who service film cameras. It explains mechanisms and quotes service data, but it cannot see your camera at the bench, so verify anything load-bearing before you act on it.