Editing Mamiya/Sekor TL/DTL series

In the latter half of the 1960's, [[Mamiya]] sold a series of [[SLR]] cameras using the popular [[M42|42mm threaded lens mount]]. 

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* Mamiya/Sekor 500 TL
* Mamiya/Sekor 1000 TL
* Mamiya/Sekor 500 DTL
* Mamiya/Sekor 1000 DTL
* Mamiya/Sekor 2000 DTL

These models may be grouped together, as they all share the same basic body; their differences are clearly reflected in their model designations. The numeral represents the highest shutter speed (1/500, 1/1000 or 1/2000 of a second); the letters TL or DTL signified '''Through''' the '''Lens''' or '''Dual''' '''Through''' the '''Lens''' [[light meter]]ing. The "500" models also lack a [[self-timer]].

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The later DTL dual-metering models introduced a switch beside the lens mount which allowed the photographer to select between an averaging meter pattern and a "spot" meter (actually a square area marked at the bottom of the viewfinder), with a viewfinder indication of the mode selected. This was a unique innovation for its day. Interestingly, the single metering mode offered by the TL models was the "spot" mode, not the averaging mode one might expect. Thus it was the Mamiya TL and not [[Pentax]] who implemented the original meaning of Pentax's [[Spotmatic]] brand.

As with other SLRs of the era, these cameras had no linkage between the light meter circuit and the f/stop selected; thus the lens needed to be stopped down to shooting aperture in order to take an accurate exposure reading. But it may be less than obvious at first glance  how one is intended to activate the meter on a TL/DTL body. 

Mamiya made an interesting choice to have the film-wind lever also double as the stop-down lever and meter switch. The user pulls the lever away from the body until it clicks; after which, pressing the lever inwards against spring pressure stops down the lens and activates the meter circuit. To put the camera away without risking accidentally draining the single 1.5v silver-oxide meter battery, one stows the wind lever in its "off" position by clicking the round cap atop its axis.

Even by the SLR standards of their day, the TL and DTL models were at the large and heavy end of the spectrum. A 1000 DTL with its original 50mm f/1.4 lens weighs 1,077g (2 lb. 6 oz.) and measures 150 x 94 x 100 mm (W x H x D).

==Links==
In English:
* [http://dserver.macgui.com/mamiya/Mamiya%20Sekor%201000%20DTL%20Series%20Owners%20Operating%20Manual.pdf Mamiya Sekor 1000 DTL Series Owner's Operating Manual]
* [http://dserver.macgui.com/mamiya/Test%20Report%20Mamiya%20Sekor%201000%20DTL%20-%20Photography,%20November%201968.pdf Test Report Mamiya Sekor 1000 DTL - Photography, November 1968]
* [http://dserver.macgui.com/mamiya/Tests%20Mamiya%20Sekor%201000%20TL%20-%20Photography,%20May%201967.pdf Tests Mamiya Sekor 1000 TL - Photography, May 1967]

* [http://dserver.macgui.com/mamiya/The%20Big%20Show%20Ron%20Spillman%20reports%20on%20Photokina%201968%20Mamiya%20Sekor%202000%20DTL%20-%20Photography,%20December%201968.pdf The Big Show Ron Spillman reports on Photokina 1968 Mamiya Sekor 2000 DTL - Photography, December 1968]
* [http://dserver.macgui.com/mamiya/The%20Century%27s%20Greatest%20Developments%20in%20SLR%20Cameras%21%20Mamiya%20Camera%20Co%20-%20Camera,%20October%201968.pdf The Century's Greatest Developments in SLR Cameras! Mamiya Camera Co - Camera, October 1968]
* [http://eddy.uni-duisburg.de/joerg/allerlei/mamiya/tl.html The Mamiya TL Family] at Joerg Krueger's [http://eddy.uni-duisburg.de/joerg/allerlei/mamiya/mamiya.html Mamiya 35mm SLRs Homepage]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oj-CvZUAFOc Video Manual by Shawnee Union]
[[Category:Japanese 35mm SLR]]
[[Category:Mamiya|TL/DTL Series]]
[[Category:42mm screw mount]]
[[Category: M]]