Customer Reviews

Olympus Stylus Epic Zoom 115 QD Date 35mm Camera

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

At last, here is an all-purpose, easy-to-use camera that provides a variety of built-in accessories. The Olympus Stylus Zoom 115 QD camera is a great find at a reasonable cost. Best of all, the learning curve is short. After 30 years of using a 35-mm Pentax with six exchangeable lenses, and another 15 years of using one of the first one-step Minoltas, I began to look for a simple camera that was lightweight and not fussy.

I needed a camera that could take excellent quality, in-focus shots of my craft booth set up, because show juries demand them. The camera needed to be small, durable, tough, and take the same quality shots indoors and out, with natural lighting and under fluorescent and indoor stadium lighting. If the same camera could take some close ups of my jewelry so I could scan the shots and send them to clients to give them an idea of a design, so much the better. And I didn't have a lot of money to spare, either.

After some in-person and on-line research I decided on the Olympus Epic Zoom 115 QD. I read through the instruction book once. I made one mistake loading the film (if you don't load it right the first time, don't push "rewind" -the tail end of the film will be sucked into the roll). That was it. My first roll produced some good shots and some excellent shots, and the second roll had no throw-away shots. The variable focus provides a lot of flexibility. No red eyes on flash, not even on the cats. No complaints. For the price, snap this camera up.

I've only used this camera so far for black and white photos, but these have surpassed my expectations. The clarity is close to professional quality. The automatic focus is right on target, producing great shots indoors or out. I did not use a tripod at all. So it must be the camera, because it definitely isn't the skill of the photographer! This camera has lots of features and the size is just right to slip into a pocket. In fact, I carried two cameras with me on my last trip--this one for black and white, and another for slides, and they both fit into the same case--the Olympus in the film pocket. I like the metal protective lens cover, too.

Perhaps I got a lemon, but my camera took poor quality shots, the viewfinder was off center, and the zoom broke. I sent it in to Olympus for warranty repair, and they said the camera was damaged by impact and refused to repair. I sent it back, and they have now agreed to rebuild, but the process has taken 2 months, and I still don't have my camera back. I judge a company's products on how they handle problems. I will never buy Olympus again. Perhaps my problem was the rare exception, since I bought based on Amazon recommendations, but I wanted to share my story.

I bought this camera because of the light weight, the date/time stamp and the zoom capability, and I am very please with the purchase. We have two young kids and use the 115QD to take a lot of photos. The photo quality is very good (may be close to the Canon AE1 SLR that I used to use) under a lot of different lighting enviornments. So far we have no complaint about it, it is reliable and take great pictures.

I, too, have had problems with my Olympus camera and hoped it was not standard for the brand. I have always owned Canon SureShots, but wanted to try something different when the last SureShot wore out. But like the customer from Cincinnati, the viewfinder is off center, the focus is, of course, affected by this problem, the flash does not function properly and washes out the subjects. I was told when I sent the camera and some sample prints in to Olympus for repair that my prints were shaky, and they sent it back. I wanted to like the camera; it has superb features. It is extremely light and it's easy to use. But up to this point, I have not been convinced to fall in love with it.

Its a nice easy to use compact with just enough extra telephoto lens for many purposes. Olympus is clearly the leader in compact 35's, I think its their main market.

Wife likes it better than my Canon Eos, I do to. You cann't turn the date system off if that matters.

Unit is made in China instead of Japan. Probably reduces cost. Hopefully quality and durability are good.

The camera is compact, solid but light, and very easy to use. The images are very good to excellent. All the features seems to work just fine. The telephoto lens really brings images in. Its relative resistance to water-spray helps with boating photography. So far it has worked without a hitch. Though I own a digital camera, I believe that a film camera like this is still preferable for travel or for taking many pictures in a short time. All you have to do is plop a new film in and keep going, and then drop it off for development and you will end up with photos that will not fade out in a few years. I highly recommend this Olympus for an uncomplicated way of handling photography in an economical fashion and ending up with excellent results.

We have bought six Olympus's for our large family of grown children. They are easy to use, relatively inexpensive, and compact. But, they have a major flaw. On three of the six cameras we have bought, the lins cover has broken and this prevents the camera from operating. The authorized service places in Houston Texas say they can not get the parts to repair this product deficiency.

Wow! What a camera! Resolution? Phenomenal! Picture perfect, as a matter of fact. I have yet to experience any electromechanical problems with this camera. The camera is exceptionally well crafted and finely appointed. The camera sits well in the hands and is easy to maneuver during photo opportunities. Exceptional picture quality! Are you looking for a camera that makes you, the photographer, look like a professional? Then you've found what you are looking for!

I have had this camera for over 6 years and have gotton some brilliant shots from it. The clarity and richness of color is really amazing- it rivals digital cameras. The camera is pretty lightweight and easy to carry around. The only downside of course being a 35 mm- you have to scan the photos to a disc before you can upload them onto the computer. Some pictures have a bit of noise/grain in them, but not much. They can be reduced with software.