Another SLR that RFF could love

[shadowfox]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7222/7200752700_00da1de9bb_z.jpg

It's rare that I found a camera that caught my attention these days.
Bucking the trend of going more expensive and "betterer" cameras,
I find myself drawn to the lower rung of the ladder (price-wise).


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8026/7200753372_04836dcc5d.jpg

There isn't any remaining shred of doubt that the OM is a favorite here in RFF.
For an SLR in the sea of RF cameras, that's not bad.
Check this one out. Almost the same dimension as the OM and slightly lighter.
Could this camera be another SLR that captured the heart of the stout RFFers?


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5031/7200753506_8ba4521132.jpg

Did I mention that this camera has *clean* lines?
No? then let me say that this camera has *really* clean lines.
And I like the cute orange button also, that's for checking the battery (2xSR44).

Where's the shutter dial? Like OM cameras, it is around the lens mount.
Where's the ASA dial? Unlike OM, it's also around the lens mount.
The film advance has a nice short throw. Electric shutter nice and quiet.


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5345/7200753718_7f8dc5eb3f.jpg

One big knock against this camera is the rarity of lenses.
And an ambitious lens mount shared by none.

I managed to get the 50/1.4, 50/1.7, 200/3.5.
And by happenstance (vague ebay descriptions, and a "can't believe what I saw" -moment),
a copy of the rare 35/2.8 is coming in the mail.

Anybody else have one of these?
Stories, photos, do share please.

[xayraa33]

Copal square shuttered camera or its Seiko counterpart ?

[Keith]

I have seen one of these before and it caught my eye straight away ... as you say the lines are incredibly clean.

Hows the viewfinder in comparison to our beloved OM's?

[Peter_wrote:]

never heard of that before... but very handsome indeed. i like this clean look.

i also like the shape of the film advance lever.

but i was just wondering about the thread title. another slr that rff COULD love..? don't we love any damn camera, and secretly sometimes even stroke them a bit?

[dufffader]

I like it already!

[Ezzie]

Very pretty camera. Pity it's not K-mount ;)

[paulfish4570]

or m-42 mount ...

[Greyscale]

or m-42 mount ...
Didn't Fujica make a tiny little m42 mount camera?

[paulfish4570]

fujica st series, but not as small as the om ...

[davidtan]

I didn't use to think much of Mamiya's 35mm offerings, as I was only familiar with their bulky M42-mount TL and DTL series. More recently, I've read up on their other SLRs and found them rather interesting. I'm currently courting the idea of buying a Mamiya ZE2; however, the NC1000 looks rather attractive. If the ZE2 turns out to be more plastic than metal, and not very compact, I'll try to get an NC1000 instead. Did your set come very cheap?

[nikon_sam]

or m-42 mount ...

That was my guess...M42...that would open this guy up to so many different lenses...
Didn't know Mamiya made this camera in this style...

[nikon_sam]

fujica st series, but not as small as the om ...

I've read that the Fujica's had a great viewfinder...:D
I was looking at them when wanting to replace an old M42 body I have...

[Spavinaw]

Oh my goodness gracious! I have owned this camera for many years. Also a Sears labeled 1000MX Auto CS in chrome. Just Google Mamiya NC1000 and you can find out almost everything about the NC1000. A couple of errors that seem to get repeated here and there are that the NC1000 does not have interchangeable finder screens. Mine does. Also it is said that only Mamiya lenses are available. There is one other that I know of. It is a Varionar 75-150mm lens. Some lens lists also omit the 50mm f2 lens. For the fans of M42 thread lenses, there is an adapter that retains auto diaphragm operation using stop down metering. The original metal one is hard to find, but I think there is a plastic one now available for about $15. Also, there is an adapter to use the Mamiya CS lenses on a Canon EOS camera for about $25.
So how did I happen to own this somewhat obscure camera? It was the 14mm semi-fisheye lens that someone was selling for about $75 new as I recall. Way back yonder there weren't many 14mm lenses available and none for $75 (a deal I couldn't refuse). Quite a bit later I got a body and used metal tape to change it to the panorama format. Amazingly little distortion when you just use the strip across the center of the negative. I have compared this lens to a 16mm semi-fisheye and it has a significantly wider field of view! I also have the 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 135mm lenses. In the past you could get these lenses for under $50 each If you were patient. Anyway, I'm glad to see someone else appreciates this camera.

[shadowfox]

Copal square shuttered camera or its Seiko counterpart ?

It's an electronically-controlled cloth shutter, like OM2.

I have seen one of these before and it caught my eye straight away ... as you say the lines are incredibly clean.

Hows the viewfinder in comparison to our beloved OM's?

The viewfinder is remarkably bright and nice.
Definitely above average.
It uses needle indicator on the left-bottom side going vertically.

To answer your real question, no, it doesn't dethrone the mighty OM-1 viewfinder.
I don't think there will ever be one.

And going from memory, aside from RTS (or Yashica FR1), I don't recall seeing a diagonal split-image spot in the middle. Which I rather like.

I think this camera is designed to compete with OM from the get go.
In their ads for this camera, Mamiya boasted about things that "professionals" are used to in their bigger cameras.


but i was just wondering about the thread title. another slr that rff COULD love..? don't we love any damn camera, and secretly sometimes even stroke them a bit?

Haha...
I don't stroke my cameras.
Carefully display them in cabinets, yes.

Very pretty camera. Pity it's not K-mount ;)

Wouldn't that be nice.

or m-42 mount ...

Ah, here we have something.
Mamiya put out an M42 adapter for this camera that works with those lenses with aperture pins. Quite ingenious, it triggers the pin when the shutter is tripped. I only recall Chinon CE-3 that does this by design, and maybe some other Pentax SP variations. But I've never seen this accomplished via an adapter.

Furthermore, of course these adapters are scarfed up by ebayers and very rarely one came up. Fortunately, there is a clever guy who took it upon himself to get a sample of the adapter, model it in 3D and make it available for us to buy via this nifty website called Shapeways.

I have two of these adapters in order, we'll see how good they are.

Didn't Fujica make a tiny little m42 mount camera?

The M42 Fujicas are cute. But they don't have shutter speed around lens mount and as Paul said, this guy is more compact.

I didn't use to think much of Mamiya's 35mm offerings, as I was only familiar with their bulky M42-mount TL and DTL series. More recently, I've read up on their other SLRs and found them rather interesting. I'm currently courting the idea of buying a Mamiya ZE2; however, the NC1000 looks rather attractive. If the ZE2 turns out to be more plastic than metal, and not very compact, I'll try to get an NC1000 instead. Did your set come very cheap?

Never had the ZE model. They are rather generic looking compared to this one. On the side, NC mount lenses will work on ZE cameras, but get this ... not vice versa :bang:

Cheap is relative, but at $30 it fits my meager collector budget. Plus it still works.

The lenses, however is another story. Rare as hen's teeth (the wider ones) or price-gouged to high heavens. That's why I was so surprised spotting the 35mm (my favorite focal length) completely out of the blue.

I've read that the Fujica's had a great viewfinder...:D
I was looking at them when wanting to replace an old M42 body I have...

Well Sam, you have another contender now. :)

[lam]

I found one of these at a thrift store with a 50mm macro lens, 35mm and a standard 50mm.. The camera is quite nice. Shutter controls like an OM camera. Unfortunately the film advance was wonky and I couldn't figure out how to fix it, so I sold the lenses and body on eBay.

[Greyscale]

fujica st series, but not as small as the om ...

It was the AZ-1 that I was thinking about. Aperture-priority M42 body and more compact than the ST series. Still not as small as the OM, few (if any) are.
OM-2 136 x 83 x 50mm 830g

AZ-1 :133 x 87.5mm x 50.5mm 580g

So the AZ-1 is less than a centimeter taller than the OM-2, with the other dimensions being virtually equal.

[paulfish4570]

lighter, too ...

[Argenticien]

Beautiful indeed. It has a model number that they'd surely like here in North Carolina. :D Will, upon seeing the first pic in the original post, I was going to ask what the orange thing does -- until I read on. But a clarification: is the orange square both the button to press, and the light that lights? Weird if so. Interesting camera, but I tend to shy away from these orphan mounts with limited lens availability.
--Dave

[oftheherd]

It was the AZ-1 that I was thinking about. Aperture-priority M42 body and more compact than the ST series. Still not as small as the OM, few (if any) are.
OM-2 136 x 83 x 50mm 830g

AZ-1 :133 x 87.5mm x 50.5mm 580g

So the AZ-1 is less than a centimeter taller than the OM-2, with the other dimensions being virtually equal.

I gave up my AZ-1 to my daughter to see if she liked it over the ST 801 I had already given her (she didn't) so I don't have one to compare. Anyway, I didn't think it anything to shout about compared to the 901, other than of course having a dedicated flash and a motor winder as accessories.

But the ST 901, now that is a fine camera. Bright viewfinder, small and light, blue cell auto exposure that is accurate even for black cats in coal bins. Accepts M42 lenses also. I only have 6 Fuji lenses, including their short zoom. They are still difficult to find and expensive when you do. But if you find a good one, they are worth having. There are of course many fine M42 mount lenses that can be used on it.

Mamiya, having such a good line of MF cameras, never seemed to market their 35mm cameras well. They did have some perfectly acceptable 35mm cameras. I wasn't aware of the OP's camera. It looks like a nice user. Shame they didn't expand on it. Looking forward to seeing how you like it as you continue to use it.

[L David Tomei]

I had a wonderful NC1000 with a range of 4 lenses and loved it. My sole complaint was the fact that the little button on the top would release the arm and simultaneously turn on the meter. Many times I found that the button had been accidentally pressed in my bag and the meter was dead. After replacing the batteries several times, I retired the little camera and eventually gave it all to a friend who was interested in learning about photography. Except for this one flaw, it was a fine little camera with an excellent selection of lenses and all very inexpensive.... except for the batteries.

[shadowfox]

So how did I happen to own this somewhat obscure camera? It was the 14mm semi-fisheye lens that someone was selling for about $75 new as I recall. Way back yonder there weren't many 14mm lenses available and none for $75 (a deal I couldn't refuse). Quite a bit later I got a body and used metal tape to change it to the panorama format. Amazingly little distortion when you just use the strip across the center of the negative. I have compared this lens to a 16mm semi-fisheye and it has a significantly wider field of view! I also have the 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 135mm lenses. In the past you could get these lenses for under $50 each If you were patient. Anyway, I'm glad to see someone else appreciates this camera.

That is just incredible.
I am not a fan of fisheye at all, but if I can get an extra-wide rectangular image out of it, that's cool.

I found one of these at a thrift store with a 50mm macro lens, 35mm and a standard 50mm.. The camera is quite nice. Shutter controls like an OM camera. Unfortunately the film advance was wonky and I couldn't figure out how to fix it, so I sold the lenses and body on eBay.

I wouldn't mind the 50mm macro. But when the 3D printed M42 adapter arrived, I can test it with my Industar 61L/Z which is macro-ish.

Beautiful indeed. It has a model number that they'd surely like here in North Carolina. :D Will, upon seeing the first pic in the original post, I was going to ask what the orange thing does -- until I read on. But a clarification: is the orange square both the button to press, and the light that lights? Weird if so. Interesting camera, but I tend to shy away from these orphan mounts with limited lens availability.
--Dave

Dave, that explains the sudden urge to buy when I see a Canon TX (haha...)
The orange square on the top will light up when the orange button is pressed indicating battery status.


Mamiya, having such a good line of MF cameras, never seemed to market their 35mm cameras well. They did have some perfectly acceptable 35mm cameras. I wasn't aware of the OP's camera. It looks like a nice user. Shame they didn't expand on it. Looking forward to seeing how you like it as you continue to use it.

Yes, I have a Fuji Superia 200 in it right now. My standard test roll so I can see orange streaks if there are any light leaks.
So far I'm happy with the handling, it is surprisingly familiar due to the shutter speed around the lens mount.

I had a wonderful NC1000 with a range of 4 lenses and loved it. My sole complaint was the fact that the little button on the top would release the arm and simultaneously turn on the meter. Many times I found that the button had been accidentally pressed in my bag and the meter was dead. After replacing the batteries several times, I retired the little camera and eventually gave it all to a friend who was interested in learning about photography. Except for this one flaw, it was a fine little camera with an excellent selection of lenses and all very inexpensive.... except for the batteries.

Actually it's the reverse.
The round button on top of the film advance lever will pop-up when the meter is on (the lever is at about 30 degrees from the body). If you push it down, it will turn *off* the meter and make the lever flush to the body.

It reminds me of Konica T4 in this regard.

[L David Tomei]

"Actually it's the reverse. The round button on top of the film advance lever will pop-up when the meter is on (the lever is at about 30 degrees from the body). If you push it down, it will turn *off* the meter and make the lever flush to the body." Shadowfox

Your right. The film advance arm on mine released very easily, maybe too easily. Anyway, it's was a very nice camera system and I'm frequently tempted to get one when I see the undeserved low prices- David

[shadowfox]

A little update.
I didn't get to shoot what I usually like to shoot.
So the first test roll is a bust.
I do want to show you one image:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7219/7278370488_4ddffd8d37_c.jpg

This is the 200mm 1:3.5 lens.
And this is a 100% crop from a typical minilab Noritsu scan (not the usual Coolscan V):

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7211/7278370642_03c1bdbc75_z.jpg

Yes, some of you will focus on the film grain or bird droppings... I notice those as well.
But I also think that this lens is extremely sharp and has an overall nice rendering. And it's smaller than even the OM Zuiko 200/4, and has a built-in hood.

All I can say is, good job, Mamiya.
The 35mm is nice as well, I'll show some pics when I'm done with my second roll.

This kit is growing on me.

[mdarnton]

For those of you who are interested in this kind of thing, my brother and I both worked in a camera store in the late 50s to mid 60s, and we both brought one of everything free home. I'm cleaning house this weekend, and this just turned up in a box filled with similar stuff. Even that early, the plain design aesthetic was there. Note the Canon lens in Exakta semi-auto mount!


http://i.minus.com/ibii2NL1jsoZES.jpg


http://i.minus.com/ibaFVO7qLi5xyN.jpg

[Trius]

Well, there goes the price of NC1000s on eBay! :D

[DrTebi]

Bucking the trend of going more expensive and "betterer" cameras,
I find myself drawn to the lower rung of the ladder (price-wise).


I have been on a similar hunt lately and discovered the Mamiya ZM Quartz. I like the features, and especially the "grip". It came with three lenses, the Mamiya f2.0 50mm, a Osawa f2.8 28mm, and a Omestar f3.8 75-150mm zoom. Got it all for about $70.

While the lenses all looked quite good, the camera was a bit beat and the ISO dial didn't register correctly. This was quite a disappointment, as I wanted the camera for it's AEL exposure. After a roll of sunny 16th tests, which came out so-so, I played around about 10 minutes with the ISO dial and it finally registered again.

Now it's working great. I really like the little LED dots in the viewfinder for the shutter speed, and find the warning beep for slow shutter speeds rather helpful than annoying. My first Provia 100F roll came out perfectly exposed. The lenses all did really well, except for the Omestar, which is very soft.

Nevertheless, on my day out shooting, suddenly one of the camera strap attachment "nuts" came off! I was able to hold on to the camera, but started worrying about the built quality a bit... the batteries also tend to drop out on their own at times, but a bit of tape may fix that problem...

Overall I really like the ZM Quartz, especially for the little money I paid for it. Here is a shot that shows of the great working lightmeter. I uploaded the full size scan (http://www.flickr.com/photos/drtebi/7294290682/sizes/o/in/photostream/) to flickr, check it out to see what great resolution this Osawa lens can deliver.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7244/7294290682_bdd28aa08a_b.jpg

[shadowfox]

Not bad.
Keep the Mamiya 35mm SLR experiences coming.

I'm developing the second roll.
Let's hope something decent will turn out.

[shadowfox]

To close the loop, here's a link to the shots I posted in a new thread:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120101

[kuzano]

I posted a web site for collectors of the Mamiya nc1000 and Z series cameras. Posted it on the second thread you started on your nc1000.

I seem to recall something about an adaptor for K mount pentax on that site related to the Mamiya 35mm.

[ChrisPlatt]

Older and uncommon SLRs are great - when they work.
But repairs can be hard to come by, and very pricey.

I run with the Pentax crowd. We have Eric Hendrickson! :)

Chris

[shadowfox]

I posted a web site for collectors of the Mamiya nc1000 and Z series cameras. Posted it on the second thread you started on your nc1000.

I seem to recall something about an adaptor for K mount pentax on that site related to the Mamiya 35mm.

Not K-mount, but M42.
I have two on order.

[shadowfox]

Older and uncommon SLRs are great - when they work.
But repairs can be hard to come by, and very pricey.

I run with the Pentax crowd. We have Eric Hendrickson! :)

Chris

Chris,
I ended up with four NC1000 bodies (in search of the rarer 200mm and 35mm lens).

Two are just fine.

I have my local camera repair shop work to combine the other two. One has perfectly clean viewfinder and focusing screen, but weird shutter that refused to work when set to 1 second. The other has perfectly working shutter and meter, but has the worst balsam separation on the viewfinder I've ever seen.

When he's done, I'll have a good CLA'd NC1000 body. In the end I'll probably keep one and sell the remaining two. People need to be introduced to this camera, it's that good.

[Steve M.]

Neat little camera. I found this on the web. The guy apparently designed an adapter to mount the lenses on Canon EOS cameras, as well as a replica of the Mamiya NC1000 P mount M42 adapter.

http://www.shapeways.com/model/344509/mamiya-nc1000-s-cs-quot-p-mount-quot.html

[pakeha]

I didn't use to think much of Mamiya's 35mm offerings, as I was only familiar with their bulky M42-mount TL and DTL series. More recently, I've read up on their other SLRs and found them rather interesting. I'm currently courting the idea of buying a Mamiya ZE2; however, the NC1000 looks rather attractive. If the ZE2 turns out to be more plastic than metal, and not very compact, I'll try to get an NC1000 instead. Did your set come very cheap?

ZE2 is a good camera , mix of metal and plastic but feels quite solid.Weak point is the speed change disc. But all cameras have cons.I have one and four ZM bodies.The ZM is also a good option overlooked by many.Paid between $12.50 and $40.00 for them.Big downside is that lens choice is limited to E and EF series Mamiya lens unless you can find adapters for CS lens/tamron/P adapter, and an adapter that allows 645 lens to be used i believe.Ergonomically the ZM is best.

[shadowfox]

The 135mm and 28mm lenses (both f/2.8) for this camera arrived yesterday. Sweet!!

The 135mm is small, maybe smaller than even Zuiko 135/2.8 and has a very cool looking built in hood.
The 28mm looks... like any other 28/2.8 lenses I've seen :)
We'll see if its optics are as good as its brethren.

[Aristophanes]

Older and uncommon SLRs are great - when they work.
But repairs can be hard to come by, and very pricey.

I run with the Pentax crowd. We have Eric Hendrickson! :)

Chris

The Pentax MZ-S has to be the most RF-like 135 SLR ever made. With the FA 43mm on (sans AA battery grip...nice to have that option) it is barely larger than my Canon QL 17 III and smaller than my Yashica GSN.

Hendrickson does fine work. He's :angel:

[shadowfox]

The Pentax MZ-S has to be the most RF-like 135 SLR ever made. With the FA 43mm on (sans AA battery grip...nice to have that option) it is barely larger than my Canon QL 17 III and smaller than my Yashica GSN.

Hendrickson does fine work. He's :angel:

You must be thinking of Pentax MX (or MV).
MZ-S is not barely larger than a Canonet :D

[Greyscale]

The Pentax MZ-S has to be the most RF-like 135 SLR ever made. ...I don't know about that. The Zenit 3 probably gets that honor.
http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Zenit_3

[Speedfreak]

Didn't Fujica make a tiny little m42 mount camera?

Fuji built Fujica cameras with M42 mount, yes. Several.

[DrTebi]

ZE2 is a good camera , mix of metal and plastic but feels quite solid.Weak point is the speed change disc. But all cameras have cons.I have one and four ZM bodies.The ZM is also a good option overlooked by many.Paid between $12.50 and $40.00 for them.Big downside is that lens choice is limited to E and EF series Mamiya lens unless you can find adapters for CS lens/tamron/P adapter, and an adapter that allows 645 lens to be used i believe.Ergonomically the ZM is best.

Yes, the ergonomics of the ZM are really nice, a camera that´s easy to hold with one hand. I actually bought it because of it´s ergonomics, and my curiousity of 35mm Mamiya lenses (since the MF rangefinder ones are highly praised).

[DrTebi]

The 135mm and 28mm lenses (both f/2.8) for this camera arrived yesterday. Sweet!!

The 135mm is small, maybe smaller than even Zuiko 135/2.8 and has a very cool looking built in hood.
The 28mm looks... like any other 28/2.8 lenses I've seen :)
We'll see if its optics are as good as its brethren.

I also just recently got the 135mm lens, small and feels really good. I am on the road right now, but will post some results when I come back. Make sure to post your images!

[shadowfox]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7092/7380576636_5402815e4e_z.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5034/7380576314_281ae1905f_c.jpg

I think the 135mm is as sharp as its bigger brother the 200mm.
It does feel very well made.

[DrTebi]

Here are some shots from the Mamiya ZM with the 135mm f/2.8 lens. Shot on Fujifilm Superia 200, which I really like for it's colors, contrast, and sharpness.

I started hunting down more Mamiya "Z" things... one of the most interesting lenses is the 50mm f/3.5 Macro. It has half-life size without any extension rings, and 1:1 with the ring that came with the lens. I will post those shots soon (film is in the lab).

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8044/8134233497_c6e2fe3db4_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8470/8134230175_48f78bb4a1_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8470/8134230887_922beb2d04_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8192/8134232713_1ed8a70bee_b.jpg

[BlackXList]

I didn't use to think much of Mamiya's 35mm offerings, as I was only familiar with their bulky M42-mount TL and DTL series. More recently, I've read up on their other SLRs and found them rather interesting. I'm currently courting the idea of buying a Mamiya ZE2; however, the NC1000 looks rather attractive. If the ZE2 turns out to be more plastic than metal, and not very compact, I'll try to get an NC1000 instead. Did your set come very cheap?

I just picked up an almost mint ZE2 with 50 1.7 and the (insanely loud) power winder & cases etc for £22

First impressions, there's absolutely nothing wrong with it at all, but I'm not attached to it yet, like some others, going to give it time though.

Viewfinder seems a little dim, but to be fair I'm comparing it to Pentax and Konica both of which are wonderfully bright, (I think my inability to take to it is partially down to being spoiled by my other options)

[DrTebi]

I just picked up an almost mint ZE2 with 50 1.7 and the (insanely loud) power winder & cases etc for £22

First impressions, there's absolutely nothing wrong with it at all, but I'm not attached to it yet, like some others, going to give it time though.

Viewfinder seems a little dim, but to be fair I'm comparing it to Pentax and Konica both of which are wonderfully bright, (I think my inability to take to it is partially down to being spoiled by my other options)

Interesting. I have a Mamiya ZM and a ZE-2, and two times the same lens (50mm f/2.0), and made a little comparison in regards to the "dimness" of the viewfinders. It turns out that the ZM is actually quite a bit brighter than the ZE-2. When comparing the ZM to my Pentax Super Program with the 50mm f/1.4 lens attached, hardly any difference can be noticed. The Pentax may have a slight advantage, but this may also be due to the faster lens(?).

Nevertheless, I really like the ZM because of the early style ergonomic grip. It's built quality is not too great, however all the lenses I have from the E/EF series are very nice.

[tunalegs]

I have the Argus version of that early Mamiya. Unfortunately it is broken. Worse still the Argus uses a totally different lens mount than any other camera. What were they thinking?

[BlackXList]

Interesting. I have a Mamiya ZM and a ZE-2, and two times the same lens (50mm f/2.0), and made a little comparison in regards to the "dimness" of the viewfinders. It turns out that the ZM is actually quite a bit brighter than the ZE-2. When comparing the ZM to my Pentax Super Program with the 50mm f/1.4 lens attached, hardly any difference can be noticed. The Pentax may have a slight advantage, but this may also be due to the faster lens(?).

Nevertheless, I really like the ZM because of the early style ergonomic grip. It's built quality is not too great, however all the lenses I have from the E/EF series are very nice.

Just as an aside the Pentax viewfinder I was comparing it to was the one in my ME Super, which is wonderful, it's a tough act to follow for many cameras, and not neccesarily a slight on the other cameras, it's just great.

I'm quite sure the ZE2 is more than usable, and I intend to give it a go, I'm just spoiled with the ME Super

[awbphotog]

I bought a Mamiya ZE-2 a while back that was listed as mint condition. I paid $65 for it whilst on a hunt for the 'perfect' 35mm SLR. When the camera came to me (no returns!) the lens was frozen onto the camera and the meter was not functioning at all. I got burned but it was a good learning experience, and the camera is sure pretty to look at. From what I've seen it's a well made camera, just has some issues that the previous owner(s) failed to mention.

That being said, I own two ME Super's and an MV-1. Pentax 35's are my favorite so far, though I have yet to handle/shoot an OM. I'm surprised that anything can be smaller than the ME Super, which is truly a SUPER camera. Love it!

Andy

[rbelyell]

Didn't Fujica make a tiny little m42 mount camera?

i have the fujica st605 m42 mount (as well as contax 137 quartz) and its one of the smallest slrs ive seen. cant imagine this is noticeably smaller. for THE most compact/lightweight slr with m42 capability, take a look at the konica tc-x, for use with AR lenses, but also easily obtainable m42>AR adapter. oh, and talk about cheap, both the fujica and the tcx can be had for between $25-40usd.
tony

[gliderbee]

Frist time I hear about another SLR with the shutter controle around the lens! I never understood why no other manufacturers did this. It feels SO natural to me !

Stefan

[DrTebi]

Frist time I hear about another SLR with the shutter controle around the lens! I never understood why no other manufacturers did this. It feels SO natural to me !

Stefan

Ahhh... what did I miss? Which SLR are you talking about?

[shadowfox]

Alright folks, check this out:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8479/8191563848_cf2241829e_z.jpg

Just arrived today.
A genuine Mamiya Sekor 20mm 1:2.8 super-wide lens. If its siblings are any indication of performance, I'd be a happy camper :D

And it's small too. It's smaller than Nikkor 20/3.5 I once used.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8069/8190480343_1e1ccf535c_z.jpg

[DrTebi]

Alright folks, check this out:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8479/8191563848_cf2241829e_z.jpg

Just arrived today.
A genuine Mamiya Sekor 20mm 1:2.8 super-wide lens. If its siblings are any indication of performance, I'd be a happy camper :D

And it's small too. It's smaller than Nikkor 20/3.5 I once used.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8069/8190480343_1e1ccf535c_z.jpg

Looks great. I heard a lot of good things about the NC cameras. I however did buy into the Z-series, which were also, unfortunately, Mamiya last venture in the 35mm market. I am very happy with the lenses, and I am sure you will experience the same!

[jamais]

If you love clean lines you should also have a look at The Mamiya 528 TL / 529 TL.

[shadowfox]

Looks great. I heard a lot of good things about the NC cameras. I however did buy into the Z-series, which were also, unfortunately, Mamiya last venture in the 35mm market. I am very happy with the lenses, and I am sure you will experience the same!

What is special to me in this case is that I get an excellent 21mm 1:2.8 lens for way less than if I were to get a Zuiko 21mm 1:2 instead.

All other 21mm lenses that I've seen are slower than f/2.8 max. aperture.

[shadowfox]

If you love clean lines you should also have a look at The Mamiya 528 TL / 529 TL.

Could be, but those have fixed lens, don't they?
The NC1000 is a complete system, that's what I love about it.

[jamais]

Could be, but those have fixed lens, don't they?
The NC1000 is a complete system, that's what I love about it.
You're right. I thought they have M42 mount.

[shadowfox]

Some shots from the 21mm:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8482/8240638938_1c2c535487_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8338/8239571037_3d61d00163_z.jpg

Up close, wide-open, lots of details:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8067/8239570231_e272f20d23_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8345/8239570095_66e34c0ab4_c.jpg

I think I'm done building this Mamiya NC1000 system. I have all the focal lengths that I like: 21mm, 35mm, 200mm in a nice little package.

[Trius]

Damn it, Will ... if I didn't have the Zuiko 21/2 I would be really mad at you. ;)

[shadowfox]

Damn it, Will ... if I didn't have the Zuiko 21/2 I would be really mad at you. ;)

Earl, especially as an owner of a Zuiko 21/2, you have no business being mad at me :D

But this lens has bumped up the Mamiya NC1000 from being "just another system" into something that I can really use. Besides, it's small and has OM-like control.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8350/8240639082_906a1345fa_c.jpg

[grapejohnson]

since this is my "beater" camera, I take it places I wouldn't normally without worrying as much about it.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8321/8066031559_b2fb34fbe6_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottwkessler/8066031559/)
laura (http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottwkessler/8066031559/) by scottkessler (http://www.flickr.com/people/scottwkessler/), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7136/8166064246_7ac78b4953_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottwkessler/8166064246/)
friday night entertainment (http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottwkessler/8166064246/) by scottkessler (http://www.flickr.com/people/scottwkessler/), on Flickr
second was with the 80-200 zoomer