Mamiya ZE
The Mamiya ZE was introduced in 1980 as the first of the Z series of cameras. Some of the models are marked as ZE Quartz but there does not seem to be any added features on the “quartz” version.
The Z series seems to have been Mamiya’s last run at the 35mm film camera. The ZE is an aperture priority camera. There is no option for full manual use. Manual was added in the ZE-2 and the ZE-X added full manual, shutter priority and fully automatic mode. The first model this ZE gives you only aperture priority. It does provide for an AE mode that lets you meter the subject and lock in the exposure then frame the shot. Good for back lighting or other uneven lighting. There is also an exposure compensation dial that allows for +/- 2 stops in full stop increments. For shutter speed you have Auto, AE lock, X (1/90th) and Bulb. If you set the shutter mode selector to "X" the shutter operates at 1/90 second. The ISO has a range of 12 to 3200. The lens and the body are coupled electronically. Limited lens is one of the cons of this sophisticated system.
My Take:
The ZE is a well-built aperture priority camera. It is not a professional grade but given the controls, it was targeted at the armature market. You can shoot with more control than just taking the camera’s Auto setting by using the exposure compensation or even the ISO to extend the range. You could but why? There are lots of fully manual SLR cameras. I used the ZE the way it was intended as an aperture priority camera. An LED scale in the upper right of the viewfinder is the only indication of what the shutter speed is going to be. I mostly just gave it a glace to make sure it was on the scale (the specific speeds are hard to read unless you have a nice light background in that section of the viewfinder). The LED will blink if there is too much or not enough light for the shot.
General liked the ZE as a fast use SLR. It is light weight with a small size. It would be a good take along camera. It will not make my list of favorite SLRs but because of that it may be a good casual use, just don’t care camera. They don’t seem to be too expensive so if you have one use it.
Film: Kodak Portra 400
Lens: 50mm f2.0