jdos2
Well-known
Anyone have a link to Mamiya 135 Rangefinders? Are there better ones/worse ones? Any information about them on the internet? I do a search and come up with LOTS of sales information for the M7, but I'm curious if they ever made a decent 135 sized Rangefinder (I believe I remember that there was a bit of fairly recent posting about one, but I can't find it)
Thanks!
Thanks!
bmattock
Veteran
Re: Mamiya 135 Rangefinders?
Speak and you shall be heard!
Try this link:
Mamiya Rangefinders
Personally, I have a thing for the Mamiya/Sekor Super Deluxe with the f1.5 lens (I have two - one works, one doesn't). What a brick of a camera! So ugly, it's beautiful again! And I enjoy the fact that it is the size of a Yashica Lynx 14 and even harder to come by.
I would not mind finding a good example of a Mamiya 35-III or a Mamiya Magazine 35, but either haven't seen or them or they go for more than I want to pay most times.
The Mamiya 135 is, I believe, very much along the same lines as the Vivitar ES, which Russ can talk to you about. There were a lot of small rangefinder cameras made during that time that either were actually the same thing under the skin, or which were very, very similar without actually being made by the same company. Take a look at this:
Matt's Cameras - Rangefinders - Vivitar ES
Hope this helps for a start!
Best Regards,
Bill Mattocks
jdos2 said:
Speak and you shall be heard!
Try this link:
Mamiya Rangefinders
Personally, I have a thing for the Mamiya/Sekor Super Deluxe with the f1.5 lens (I have two - one works, one doesn't). What a brick of a camera! So ugly, it's beautiful again! And I enjoy the fact that it is the size of a Yashica Lynx 14 and even harder to come by.
I would not mind finding a good example of a Mamiya 35-III or a Mamiya Magazine 35, but either haven't seen or them or they go for more than I want to pay most times.
The Mamiya 135 is, I believe, very much along the same lines as the Vivitar ES, which Russ can talk to you about. There were a lot of small rangefinder cameras made during that time that either were actually the same thing under the skin, or which were very, very similar without actually being made by the same company. Take a look at this:
Matt's Cameras - Rangefinders - Vivitar ES
Hope this helps for a start!
Best Regards,
Bill Mattocks
jdos2
Well-known
'Zactly what I was looking for, thanks!
I was thinking of that "so ugly it's starting to look good again" Deluxe, and so I'm keeping an eye open for one.
I was thinking of that "so ugly it's starting to look good again" Deluxe, and so I'm keeping an eye open for one.
jdos2
Well-known
There's one on the Bay right now, "untested," and it looks like it has the 1.5.
Hmmm.
Hmmm.
Heath
Classic Camera Collector
I have a Mamiya 35S2 that cosmetically was not in great condition, but optically and mechaincally is almost perfect. This camera was at one stage owned by one of my uncles. He then gave it to another of my uncles who stuck it in a drawer. This uncle then gave it to one of my cousins who didn't have any idea how to use it, so again it was stuck in a drawer. About 4 years ago my aunt (who's house I am living in) told me about the camera. I took one look at it and thought it would be interesting to learn how to use. I asked around at local camera shops and found one guy who explained everything. I went out and bought a Capital light meter and set about figuring out hopw to use it. I was surprised at how well the shots turned out.
I am in the process of giving it a makover at the moment. I will write about my experiences doing this in the repair forum.
Heath
I am in the process of giving it a makover at the moment. I will write about my experiences doing this in the repair forum.
Heath
dmr
Registered Abuser
bmattock said:
(I've probably told this story here so many times that many of you are getting tired of it by now. <semi grin>)
The first "real camera" I had was a Mamiya rangefinder, and through the help of this forum here it was identified as the Super Deluxe (1.7). I liked it, but I soon "upgraded" to a Pentax Spotmatic and eventually to a K1000, which is the camera I use today for any semi-serious stuff.
One of the stupidest mistakes I ever made in my life was selling it. (Right up there with getting my car painted at Earl Scheib - hey, we live and learn.) I wasn't really using it so I sold it for something like $35.
This was back in the 70's.Now, almost 30 years later, I realize there were times where that Mamiya was better at some things, such as low-light hand-held shots.
I never thought mine was ugly. It was always beautiful.
I loved the look of the pinpoint highlights reflecting in that huge front lens element. I just wasn't using it and figured it would be better to let somebody have it who would use it.Anyway, I found this forum while trying to identify what it was and maybe trying to locate one. I have found a few, mainly on Ebay, but mostly in uncertain condition or where they went for much more than I want to pay. Oh well ...
I am soon to join the Rangefinder Club again. I've been off and on making modest bids on such things as the Canonet QL17 GIII, and mostly getting outbid. However, last week I didn't get outbid and the seller has written and said it's on the way, hopefully I will get it tomorrow.
Anyway, you're not the only one who like/liked the Super Deluxe.