Mamiya/Sekor 1000 DTL

A Japanese 35mm SLR with a special feature: dual metering.

**Looking back at the Golden Gate Bridge, having just entered San Francisco Bay** Mamiya/Sekor 1000 DTL, 55mm f/1.4 Mamiya/Sekor, Tri-X, 1978.

My introduction to SLR photography

The Mamiya/Sekor 1000 DTL was a popular camera in the late 1960s to early 70s, and it was my introduction to the 35mm SLR world. It has an M42 screw mount like a Pentax Spotmatic but it seems not all Spotmatic lenses will fit (see the Spotmatic article).

**Gongfu tea** Silver Spring, Md. Mamiya/Sekor 1000 DTL, 55mm f/1.4 Mamiya/Sekor, FP4+, 2023,

**Mamiya/Sekor 1000 DTL with 55mm f/1.4 Mamiya/Sekor.**

Design

This camera is large and heavy, about like a Nikkormat. But it handles well. The design is plain and clean. The winding lever is well sculpted to blend in with the crease along the back of the top deck.

**Farmland** Dickerson, Md. Mamiya/Sekor 1000 DTL, 55mm f/1.4 Mamiya/Sekor, FP4+, 2023.

Spot meter + averaging meter

In the 1960s and 70s there were a lot of Japanese 35mm SLRs on the market. This one achieved product differentiation by having a dual metering system: both spot and average metering. You select S or A with a two-position tab. This was an unusual feature.

How did it work?

In former times Kodachrome 64 was one of my ‘go to’ film stocks and i often used it in this camera. Kodachrome 64 has a narrow exposure latitude, but the Mamiya’s metering handled it well. I’m a b&w specialist today. I leave the battery out and use a hand held meter or the sunny 16 rule.

**G Street Fabrics** Rockville, Md. Mamiya/Sekor 1000 DTL, 55mm f/1.4 Mamiya/Sekor, FP4+, 2023.

Maintenance and repair

No maintenance has been done on this camera. The light seal inside the door hinge has deteriorated but it’s not shedding any debris so I’m ignorig it for now.

References / further reading

McKeown, J.M. and J.C. 1996. McKeown’s Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 1997-1998. Grantsburg, Wis.: Centennial Photo.