Short review:
The Mamiya ZE is an aperture priority auto exposure camera from the 1980’s which rewards you with great looking photos. If you get the opportunity try one!
Slightly longer review: The Mamiya ZE is an aperture priority auto exposure camera from the 1980’s. There is no manual mode as can be seen from the top plate image below. What you do get is an auto exposure lock for those times when there are tricky lighting situations. The X setting used for flash also allows you to use the camera when the batteries are exhausted. The shutter speed is 1/90th second. (So it does have a manual mode of sorts!) A bulb mode is also present as is a self timer situated on the front of the camera. Finally, you get exposure compensation of +2 -2.
Looking back, I had very strong misgivings about this camera. I’m not exactly sure why. I suppose after having used a feature rich camera like the Canon EOS 10QD last week, I had low expectations with the positively spartan-like Mamiya ZE. The camera and lens, a very plastic 50mm f2 Mamiya-Sekor E series lens, only weighs a little over 500 grams or 1 lb. This did little to reassure me that I would enjoy my time with it. So strong were my initial negative feelings, I nearly chose another camera to try instead. How pleased I am that I didn’t!
What the Mamiya ZE may lack in features is more than made up in its ability to just take good photos without any nonsense.
The four LR44 batteries that power all the cameras operations are housed in the plastic ‘cartridge’, located on the base of the camera. The viewfinder shows you which shutter speed, (ranging from 1/30 – 1/1000), the camera has chosen in response to your selected aperture. A red LED next to the shutter speed illuminates. If the LED should flash at the rate of 4 flashes per second the camera is telling you that the batteries need changing. Also if they flash at 8 per second, under or over exposure is reached.
Despite its plastic construction, the Mamiya ZE has a very satisfying shutter actuation. By clicking the photo below you can hear for yourself.
So let’s have a look at some images.
A clump of Crocus or is it Croci?
The Manual consists of a ‘wallchart’.
Umbrella close up
With the image above and the one below I was interested in how the camera’s meter would perform.
I am so pleased with the images coming out of the ZE, I could not have asked for better results. I have enjoyed my time with the Mamiya so much that I have another roll of film in it. High praise indeed!
I like it when I’m wrong. It helps to keep me in my place. I certainly need that!
arhphotographic 