Mamiya MSX 1000 (1974–?)
A 35mm SLR camera with mechanical operation and built-in TTL manual metering, produced by Mamiya in the mid-1970s.
Overview
The Mamiya MSX 1000 is a 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera made by Mamiya Camera Co. Ltd., Japan, around 1974. It was part of a short-lived line of 35mm SLRs that included the MSX 500, differentiated primarily by its faster maximum shutter speed of 1/1000 second. The camera features a built-in TTL (through-the-lens) manual exposure meter, requiring user adjustment for correct exposure. It uses Mamiya SX lenses, which are based on a modified 42mm screw mount with an added aperture coupling pin to enable open-aperture metering. The MSX 1000 was also sold in the United States through Sears as the TLS 1000 MX, available in a silver and black finish.
Specifications
| Type | Single-Lens Reflex (SLR) |
| Film Format | 35mm (135 cartridge) |
| Picture Size | 24 x 36mm |
| Shutter Speeds | 1 – 1/1000 second, plus B (Bulb) |
| Metering | Built-in TTL manual meter |
| ISO Range | 25 – 3200 |
| Lens Mount | Mamiya SX (modified 42mm screw mount with aperture coupling pin) |
| Viewfinder | SLR with Fresnel screen and microprism focusing aid |
| Weight | 725.8 g (body only); 910 g with lens |
Design
The Mamiya MSX 1000 is a mostly mechanical 35mm SLR with a built-in light meter. Shutter speed selection is made via a dial on the top plate, which must be pulled slightly before turning to select speeds. The camera relies on manual exposure control, with aperture set on the lens and shutter speed adjusted via the dial. To activate the metering system, the user must interact with a control on the lens or body—exact operation detailed in the original instruction manual.
Context
Mamiya introduced the MSX 1000 around 1974 as part of a brief foray into the 35mm SLR market, offering two models: the MSX 500 and MSX 1000, named for their respective maximum shutter speeds. The MSX 1000 was positioned as the higher-spec model. It was also marketed in the USA through Sears under the name TLS 1000 MX, reflecting a common practice of rebadging Japanese cameras for American department store distribution.
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