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Specification

Manufacturer description #1

With today's cameras anyone can take an average picture and get it sharp and properly exposed. But a lot of photographers today are not buying expensive equipment just to take average pictures. They want freedom of expression. And that's what the new Mamiya/Sekor DSX is all about. The opportunity to take pictures that are different, with difficult lighting, and yet have them perfectly exposed all the time.

That's why the designer of the new Mamiya/Sekor DSX went to the trouble of building-in two separate, through-the-lens light metering systems in one camera. An averaging system for those front-lit subjects where the dark and light areas balance out. And a spot meter for those difficult back and side-lit subjects.

And the DSX lets you take your meter readings with the lens wide open. You don't have to strain through a closed-down aperture to compose. That means faster focusing. For faster shots. It also has the other features you want on a rugged, reliable 35mm SLR. Including cushioned grip pads on the body and lens, and genuine "human engineering". Without removing your eye from the viewfinder, you can select a spot or averaging method of exposure, center the needle in the exposure index by changing aperture or shutter speed, preview for depth of field, frame, focus, take the picture and advance the film for the next shot. And on the 1000 DSX you have speeds of up to 1/1000th of a second and a built-in hot shoe.

The new Mamiya/Sekor SX lenses are made by the same company that makes professional lenses for larger format cameras.

There's no law that says an amateur has to take pictures like one. Or that professionals are the only photographers who can get the most out of light. Nor does it require a $600 piece of equipment, either. Just a Mamiya/Sekor DSX. At a price you can afford. With an SX 50mm f2 lens the 500 DSX is under $260 and the 1000 DSX under $280. Both bodies available with SX 55mm f1.8 and f1.4 lenses.

Manufacturer description #2

The DSX 1000 is the most deluxe camera in our SLR line. With dual-metering and many versatile features, you'll find it's an exceptional camera to use. Wherever your picture-taking exploits take you, the Mamiya DSX 1000 will be ready to capture the action, ready to record on film those once-in-a-lifetime picture-taking adventures.

• Dual through-the-Iens average or spot metering (6% of picture area)
• Open-aperture metering (with SX lenses)
• Shutter speeds from 1 to 1/1000 second
• Hot-shoe flash contacts for X sync
• Self-timer for delayed action
• ASA speeds from 25 to 3200
• Stopped-down meter reading possible (with other than SX lenses)
• Non-slip grip pad
• FP and X flash terminals
• Rewind crank
• Multi-slot film loading, meter ON/OFF button

CdS Dual Metering

Two unique metering systems: (1) Average metering gives you freedom to meter and record general scenes quickly and easily. (2) The 6% spot metering system provides accurate exposure readings in difficult lighting situations.

The Viewfinder System

With a special Fresnel lens and micro-diaprism, focusing is a simple matter. Open-aperture metering provides a brilliant view. Without looking away from the viewfinder, you can center the needle for correct exposure, check depth-of-field, frame and take the picture, and advance the film.

Universal Lens Mount

The Mamiya camera lens mount (M42) is the most widely used lens mounting system for SLR cameras. This lens mount plus a built-in locking system lets you install lenses safely, quickly, easily.

Manufacturer description #3

With two built-in through-the-lens light metering system. For perfect exposures in all lighting situations.

Interesting pictures invariably have interesting light. But until Mamiya/Sekor pioneered the Dual-Metering system, getting the right exposure under all conditions wasn't too easy. The new Mamiya/Sekor DSX solves the problem of proper exposure for back, side and top lighting with two through-the-lens light metering systems. An averaging meter for photographing front-lit scenes with many light and dark areas and a spot meter for those times when you are mainly interested in one part of the picture. And for those difficult situations where the subject has back or side lighting and a meter reading of the shadowed area is needed to retain important detail.

Open Aperture Metering

To take a meter reading with many cameras, you have to stop down the lens. The new DSX reads the scene with the lens wide open. The viewfinder is always bright, making it easier to compose and focus.

Spot Metering

The spot meter system is designed for subjects photographed with strong back, side or top lighting. The meter switch is flipped to "S". This is because an averaged reading on the whole picture would be unduly influenced by the brightly lit areas (like a sky), and if you wanted a picture of only a girl's face, an averaged reading could easily produce an underexposed picture. The Mamiya/Sekor DSX spot meter reads only 6% of the picture area and can be more accurate than a separate spot meter because it measures the light through the actual lens taking the picture.

Average Metering

The average meter system is ideal for landscapes and those scenes where the sun is falling on the front of the subject. Inside the DSX, two CdS cells measure different parts of the scene and automatically average the exposure. When the meter switch is flipped to "A" (averaging metering system), the DSX determines the proper exposure for the entire scene.

Manufacturer description #4

CAMERA TYPE: 35mm Single Lens Reflex with two separate behind-the-lens, full aperture metering systems; one for averaged readings and one for spot readings.

FILM SIZE AND CAPACITY: Perforated 35mm film in standard 20 or 36 exposure cartridges.

LENS MOUNT: Universal thread mount (42mm) with locking pin.

SHUTTER: Focal plane with speeds from 1 to 1/1000 second and B for time exposures. Built-in variable delay self-timer.

EXPOSURE CONTROL: Two separate metering systems with one CdS cell positioned on the back of the reflex mirror (spot system) and one CdS cell located on each side of the viewfinder eyepiece in the pentaprism housing (averaging system). Both metering systems are cross coupled to the shutter speed control, film speed dial, and diaphragm mechanism on all automatic SX lenses. This dual system accurately measures light at full aperture with Mamiya/Sekor SX lenses. With other universal thread mount lenses, the dual metering system will operate in the stop-down mode. The film advance lever switches the metering system on and actuates the diaphragm mechanism on all automatic SX lenses. The Spot/Averaging selector switch on the camera body allows the use of either system of exposure calculation.

METER SENSITIVITY: ASA 25 to 3200; DIN 15 to 36

VIEWFINDER: Pentaprism type with micro-diaprism center spot on Fresnel screen for rapid focusing. Brackets visible in finder indicate location of spot meter reading area (6% of field). Pointer and "S" and "A" symbols visible in finder indicate whether the spot or averaging meter system is being used. Exposure needle and reference points indicate necessary exposure adjustments.

FLASH SYNCHRONIZATION: Two separate flash contacts are provided, marked "FP" and "X". Proper selection of terminals allows correct synchronization for all types of flash pictures. A built-in "hot shoe" accessory bracket is located atop the viewfinder, for use with cordless flash units.

REFLEX MIRROR: Instant return type

FILM ADVANCE: Ratchet type film advance lever transports film, cocks shutter, and advances exposure counter in a single stroke (160 deg.) or by a number of shorter strokes .

EXPOSURE COUNTER: Progressive type, reads from "S" (start) to 36. Counter automatically resets to "S" when film compartment door is opened.

From the editor

The weight and dimensions are indicated for the camera body with the Auto Mamiya/Sekor SX 55mm F/1.8 lens mounted.

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