Another SLR that RFF could love

[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]

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).

 

[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:

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 😀

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

 

[DrTebi]

Alright folks, check this out:

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 😀

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

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:

Up close, wide-open, lots of details:

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 😀

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.