Better known for their medium format SLRs and TLRs, Mamiya also made a small range of top class 35mm rangefinders and SLRs. One of these is this NC1000s  a highly prized collectable which is very unusual. I consider myself very fortunate to have the opportunity to try this out in the field. I have to admit that it is a delight to use with a beautiful smooth action and crystal clear optics. Sadly it's only on loan and is a bit more than I can afford but I have taken the opportunity to take it on a visit to London. Depending on the results, which are eagerly awaited, I might consider going into hock for it. The Mamiya Sekor f1.7 lens is legendary and is the 35mm derivative of the famous medium format lens used by many professionals. I have experienced a different variant with the 35mm rangefinder and the pictures from that were exceptional, hence the excited anticipation.  

The wait is over and the results are in. Being totally objective I have to say that I have worked with better metering, most were overexposed, but it was a difficult day for lighting. The sky was full of cloud yet it was still quite bright, you will see what I mean in the pictures, and this for a fairly simple centre weighted metering system is bound to give problems. I used the auto metering throughout because I didn't have a separate light meter with me, this was, after all, supposed to be a working day so this was a quick dash round. Now, metering issues aside, the resolving power of the lens certainly lived up to expectations and indeed it's reputation. All in all I would say that I'm very pleased with the results and I'm sure that given more time and or better conditions this will produce some fantastic pictures. Now comes the dilema, can I afford to keep it and do I really want it. I have seven days to decide......too late, somebody's bought it.