Mamiya: Mamiya ZE Quarz

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The Mamiya Z-Series cameras were the last 35mm SLR's produced by Mamiya. Innovation was still apparent. It was the first Japanese SLR to use an electronic coupling system to transmit information between the camera body and its interchangeable lenses. Previous interactions between lenses and camera bodies had been by mechanical pins, cams or levers. While many manufacturers were reluctant to make changes that would render their lenses obsolete, Mamiya aggressively pursued the new mount configuration. In addition, ergonomics, as applied to the functionality and use of the camera, began to play a stronger role in their design. The Mamiya ZE (left; some were also designated ZE Quartz) was introduced in July 1980. It has a metal, quartz-controlled, focal-plane shutter and a center-weighted photo diode. An aperture-priority AE, exposure can be corrected ± two stops, and a previously-metered exposure can be locked in "AEL" position (same dial as the orange "Auto" button in the picture). It requires four (4) MS76 or equivalent batteries, which are still readily available. The ZE can also be used without batteries. If you set the shutter mode selector to "X" the shutter operates at 1/90 second. Simply use the Sunny 16 Rule to figure the aperture setting for your weather conditions. Most ZE's were solid black, but there is a rare version that used a silver top plate (see picture, below left). A version of the Mamiya ZE, also with a silver top plate, could be found in the USA, rebranded as the Bell & Howell Z.