The Chinon Memotron is an example of an off brand camera that was ahead of the curve. It offered automation with any M42 lens, when name brands brought out new lenses to fulfil the same function. Latterly, the company filled the need for compact plastic SLRs built down to a price. Probably no better or worse than the competition, and plenty around cheap. The previous metal bodies (CS, CX, etc) were dead solid cameras not unlike the Canon FT/b, with underrated lenses. I cut my photographic teeth on one, and image quality gives nothing away to later Nikon and Canon cameras I owned.Yes. The Chinon Memotron models look interesting.
that's what I would do and forget about battery issues.I don't know how off brand they might be, but I've always liked the Mamiya/Sekor 500DTL and the 1000DTL. They used the M42 mount, so there are plenty to chose from.I could never get the later Pentax SMC-Takumar lenses to screw all the way into the mount, but the Super-Takumars and the Auto-Takumars mounted without problems. The Mamiya/Sekor screw mount lenses lenses were good performers too. However, they did require a mercury battery for the built in meter. Since I never used the built in meter, that was pretty much a non-issue, at least for me.
I think the camera had a Yashica lens when I bought it.Interesting about that combo is the lens designation "Tessar Carl Zeiss Jena DDR", whereas over here that lens was sold as "T aus Jena" (from Jena), sometimes "T aus Jena DDR".
If I recall correctly, Chinon had a metal Copal style shutter when similarly priced competition had fabric shutters. This may be partly responsible for their longevity.It’s built like a tank I’ve never had a problem with it.
You probably know this, but it's a Chinon.Very "on" brand in one way, but so so "off" brand in every other way
You probably know this, but it's a Chinon.
It looks pretty cool to my eyes, though I can see why Alpa fans would reach for the smelling salts. Swiss Alpa cameras remind me of Homer Simpson's dream car.Yes bac1967 post reminded me of the "luxury" chinon model. Its probably a collectors oddity camera now tho.
The Miranda DX-3, an otherwise vanilla 1975 SLR and the company's last camera (with the EE-2), could take a motor drive, bulk film back and a massive battery grip. An uncompetitive camera from a dying brand with professional sports pretensions, is a compelling combination! In the UK Miranda cameras were sold off at fire sale prices by high street electronics chain, Dixons. Speaking of historical curios, the company also flogged off the weird Polaroid "Polavision" movie camera system, at rock bottom prices.
Always a bad sign! There were a few thirsty cameras around, as battery power couldn't keep pace with automation.the camera came with a case to put the batteries
Soligor lenses were ok, I have a couple. Didn't know they were part of the company.unfortunately it's lens light meter line Soligor was a victim as well.
I have a real Apla somewhere, I think it's a 10d and it has the Kern Macro Switar. I don't have the 2000si but I do have two of the 50/1.7 standard lenses. They get to 1:3 so they aren't really macro lenses but they're pretty good. They are brighter to focus through than my 50/4 SMC Macro Takumars.
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