Notes on Mamiya M 35mm Point-and-Shoot Camera Presentation

Introduction

• Host: Chris (Mr. Mamia on YouTube)
• Focus: Review of the Mamiya M 35mm point-and-shoot camera from the 1980s.
• Personal connection to Mamiya: Owns several Mamiya cameras including:
  • Mamiya 645 Pro TL
  • Mamiya Press Super and Universal
  • Phase One 645 DF and DF+
  • Mamiya C220

Overview of Mamiya M

• Release Year: 1982
• Purchase Price: 20 Canadian dollars (~3 USD)
• Key Features:
  • Autofocus and Auto Exposure
  • Pop-up flash
  • Lens: Mamiya C 38mm f/2.8 (4 elements, 3 groups)
  • Shutter Speeds: 1/8 sec to 1/500 sec
  • Film ISO settings: 25 to 800
  • Automatic film advance (no manual knob/levers)
  • Dimensions: 132mm x 75mm x 55mm; Weight: 430g (without batteries)

Camera Design and Controls

• Size: Larger than competitors like Olympus Mew series
• Design and Grip:
  • Comfortable to hold despite bulky size
  • Rubberized grip enhances handling
  • Leatherette film door material (watch for wear on used cameras)
• Controls:
  • Two-stage shutter button (half press to focus, full press to capture)
  • Sliders for film rewind, flash activation, and self-timer

Viewfinder Features

• 45x magnification, covers ~83% of frame
• Parallax lines for close-up correction
• Zone focus scale and indicator included
• LED indicator for potential camera shake

Autofocus System

• Priming focus visually indicates focus point with pictograms (one person, two people, etc.)
• Prevents taking out-of-focus shots by allowing user to see focus status prior to shooting
• Notable advantage over contemporary cameras that lack this feature
• Camera has anti-shake detection; will not fire if shake is detected at shutter press

Film Compatibility and ISO Setting

• Does not read DX coding, allowing for manual ISO setting
• Useful for shooting with expired films

Optical Quality and Performance

• Sharp optics with nice rendering
• Fast f/2.8 aperture for a point-and-shoot
• Limited background separation due to shutter speed constraints
• Quality images, but colors may vary due to expired film use

Recommendations and Conclusion

• Current Market Price: 60 to 150 USD
• Rarity: Hard to find compared to similar cameras (Mew, AF35, AF600)
• Recommendation: Great camera if found at a reasonable price
• Unique features worth noting:
  • Manual ISO control
  • Visual autofocus indicator
• Final thoughts: Good choice for point-and-shoot enthusiasts, but size is a factor.

Questions for Audience

• Does anyone own a Mamiya M?
• Experiences with point-and-shoot cameras?
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