SLR – Page 2 – Facts, notes and thoughts about vintage cameras and other trifle matters

September 25, 2023

Fuji ST 705

Fuji ST 705 In the mechanical SLR golden era, Fuji, AKA Fuji Film or Fujica, made a series of number-name models that enjoyed high esteem, and most still survived as able shooters, available at modest prices. The ST 801, a groundbreaker at the time, fetches prices higher than the rest, at either chrome or black bodies. The first of the...

35 mm/Fuji/Japan/SLR Comments: 0

September 25, 2023

Kowa SE

Kowa SE Kowa had been at the rear end of the Japanese camera industry. I hold a camera that was made in 1964, so one would expect some reference about it in the printed guides. Not so. Kowa, an old established industrial company, branched into the camera trade in 1958 for a short 30-year period. Early models were compact viewfinders...

35 mm/Japan/Kowa/SLR Comment: 1

September 24, 2023

GAF L-CM

GAF L-CM In the beginning, there was Edward Anthony, who was a pioneer in photography equipment in the US in the later part of the 1800s. The company became E. & H. T. Anthony & Company when his brother joined the venture. In 1902, they merged with Scovill and Adams, a company formed just a decade ago. The new entity...

35 mm/GAF/SLR/USA Comments: 0

September 22, 2023

Pentax MZ-50

Pentax MZ-50 This camera does not belong here, it is too young to be considered a vintage and was not a classic model. I have it, so it is added. It was bought in the late 1990s when digital models began to pop up, low resolution and more of a novelty. The MZ-50 can do all; see specs below. All...

35 mm/Japan/Pentax/SLR Comments: 0

September 19, 2023

Nikon N2000

Nikon N2000 In the early 1980s, camera makers kept adding features to their models, allowing pro and amateur photographers to share common bodies. Cameras now had it all: manual, AP/SP assist, power winding, electronically controlled stepless shutters, with bodies getting ever lighter thanks to polycarbonate use. All that was done while sacrificing simplicity. Such models are enigma till you consult...

35 mm/Japan/Nikon/SLR Comments: 0

September 15, 2023

Minolta SRT 101

Minolta SRT 101 / SRT 201 Minolta was one of the major Japanese camera makers but could not stay abreast at the cutting-edge, fast-changing technologies. Merged with Konika in 2003 and finally was acquired by Sony in 2006, being the basis of the latter digital line. Collection Apparelis carries a fine, brief article about Minolta’s history, so there is no...

35 mm/Japan/Minolta/SLR Comments: 0

August 28, 2023

Canon AV-1

Canon AV-1 In the late 1970s, camera makers tried to be all things to everybody. The high-end, pro models were partially stripped down to cater to prosumer buyers. The low-end, mass market had models designed just for that, whereas camera makers relied on brand recognition and the prestigious SLR hump looks. The only stumbling block was the controls plethora on...

35 mm/Canon/Japan/SLR Comments: 0

August 25, 2023

Canon FTb

Canon FTb The first-generation 1959 Canon SLR line (1) was not the success Canon had expected. A second line (3) followed in 1964, with a third line in 1971 (4). In this lineup, with the newly introduced FD mount, The professional bound flagship F-1 led, with the FTb following as a mass-market model. The electronic A variants of 1976 (5) were...

35 mm/Canon/Japan/SLR Comments: 3

June 30, 2023

Miranda Sensorex II

Miranda Sensorex II In the late 1960s, the SLR industry moved towards TTL measuring, so Miranda’s Automex models no longer cut it. A new model, the Sensorex, came to market in 1967. The body closely resembled the Automex, true to Miranda’s unchanged designs. Other camera makers had the TTL metering mounted within the prism hump. They couldn’t do so with...

35 mm/Japan/Miranda/SLR Comments: 0

June 28, 2023

Miranda Automex III

Miranda Automex III The Automex line, introduced in 1960, was Miranda’s first entry into the metered SLR universe. The shutter trigger is still at the front right, but the arm over it is gone. Lenses here use an arm to connect to a body-mounted slide at the left of the lens mount. The slide is marked with F stops, and...