HOME | DD

Description

Mamiya / Sekor 528TL (also Sears 528TL in the U.S.) was a 135 format fixed lens SLR camera since 1967 by Mamiya, a company that is most known for their medium format cameras. They were the photomechanic counterpart of the inflatable dartboard with a highly complex mirror + shutter system that was the weak point; rather dark viewfinder and a surprisingly hard to move aperture and distance rings set. On the other hand they had through-the-lens light meter with semi-automatic shutter. The copper and polymer body was not that great and the mirror and shutter problems were quite frequent therefore it is really hard to find a neat one in working conditions. This is why I catched it when a fellow photographer offered it for sale. The camera is in a pristine condition. The plastic protective cover on the bottom has a crack and the leather cover has lots of wear because it lived in a drawer for years. Because of the infamous shutter I made a ruthless bargain but finally he agreed to give it for a half price. (I gave him some good and sought-for advices and also helped to estimate the value of two other cameras, so it was a good deal for him at last.) As I went home, I tried to buy a roll of black and white film and it was not that easy. Two days later I could get two rolls of Ilford Pan and one landed into this 528TL with very low expectations. The camera over-achieved, even the light meter is precise (but you have to know how to measure with an averaging meter) and 36 of the 36 images were technically good. There were bad pictures but I was the weakest point there because of camera movements or–in one occasion–involuntary shutter release. The Mamiya proved to be a fine camera (as long as the shutter doesn't fail). The Sekor 48mm f/2.8 lens is really fine and it has a feeling to use a well working camera that is almost as old as I am (I have my Voigtländer that is almost 80 years old but that has many troubles with film advancing and shutter.) On the other hand, it was surprisingly light and that made me uneasy because I have my 5D mk IV as digital camera weighing way more, and the Mamiya RB67 that is baby sized, both in weight and length. Even my Yashica MAT 124G is heavier than this one!

The images I shot were test ones, not really suitable for presenting here but there are two already uploaded. Perhaps I will bring even some more later. A unique stamp will inform you about the images that are taken with this small Mamiya—as you can see'em below.

This image is part of a set of 86 images for a 3D VR application.

You're welcome to use this picture even for your commercial needs. Editing is also allowed. Licenced under CC-BY-SA terms and conditions. A link back is a kind thing.

Description

Mamiya / Sekor 528TL (also Sears 528TL in the U.S.) was a 135 format fixed lens SLR camera since 1967 by Mamiya, a company that is most known for their medium format cameras. They were the photomechanic counterpart of the inflatable dartboard with a highly complex mirror + shutter system that was the weak point; rather dark viewfinder and a surprisingly hard to move aperture and distance rings set. On the other hand they had through-the-lens light meter with semi-automatic shutter. The copper and polymer body was not that great and the mirror and shutter problems were quite frequent therefore it is really hard to find a neat one in working conditions. This is why I catched it when a fellow photographer offered it for sale. The camera is in a pristine condition. The plastic protective cover on the bottom has a crack and the leather cover has lots of wear because it lived in a drawer for years. Because of the infamous shutter I made a ruthless bargain but finally he agreed to give it for a half price. (I gave him some good and sought-for advices and also helped to estimate the value of two other cameras, so it was a good deal for him at last.) As I went home, I tried to buy a roll of black and white film and it was not that easy. Two days later I could get two rolls of Ilford Pan and one landed into this 528TL with very low expectations. The camera over-achieved, even the light meter is precise (but you have to know how to measure with an averaging meter) and 36 of the 36 images were technically good. There were bad pictures but I was the weakest point there because of camera movements or–in one occasion–involuntary shutter release. The Mamiya proved to be a fine camera (as long as the shutter doesn't fail). The Sekor 48mm f/2.8 lens is really fine and it has a feeling to use a well working camera that is almost as old as I am (I have my Voigtländer that is almost 80 years old but that has many troubles with film advancing and shutter.) On the other hand, it was surprisingly light and that made me uneasy because I have my 5D mk IV as digital camera weighing way more, and the Mamiya RB67 that is baby sized, both in weight and length. Even my Yashica MAT 124G is heavier than this one!

The images I shot were test ones, not really suitable for presenting here but there are two already uploaded. Perhaps I will bring even some more later. A unique stamp will inform you about the images that are taken with this small Mamiya—as you can see'em below.

This image is part of a set of 86 images for a 3D VR application.

You're welcome to use this picture even for your commercial needs. Editing is also allowed. Licenced under CC-BY-SA terms and conditions. A link back is a kind thing.