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A Brief Personal History
I have a BA degree in advertising, an MBA from a prestigious
program, and an almost insatiable desire to learn new and creative
things. Many years ago, I spent a lot of time outdoors coaching soccer
(I was also a certified FIFA soccer referee). I kept at it until my knees decided
they were finally too old to continue, even if the rest of me was still
willing. This spring, I retired from over 39 years in the advertising
and publishing industry - a business life that was often hectic. Then,
as now, I always found balance by spending my favorite times
with my family and friends.
My grown sons are all great young men (obviously a glowing tribute
to their mother), and my lovely grandchildren are more precious than
you can imagine. I also have a pretty wife who has put up with me
now for over 38 years (a miracle of tolerance I can guarantee I do
not question)! |
Yes, it's
really me! |
About This Site
My first new camera was a Mamiya 1000 DTL,
purchased in 1968 (still have it, and it still works). I have been
collecting Mamiya 35mm cameras for a long time, and think they are
often overlooked as interesting photographic equipment. I was surprised,
a few years ago, at how little information was available about the
35mm portion of Mamiya's history (there is a bit more now,
but not much). Not even Mamiya itself has anything to say about their
35mm heritage, apparently preferring not to detract from their current
marketing efforts for their mid-size professional film and digital
brands. I didn't expect that to change after Mamiya transferred
all its photo assets to Cosmo Digital in September 2006, forming the new
Mamiya Digital Imaging company ... and I was right.
However, I have gathered a lot of Mamiya 35mm data myself over the
years, and about eight years ago I decided to make my information
available. I'd never built a web site before, so this has been a many-years-long
creative learning experience for me, and I certainly hope it has become
an information forum to each Gentle Reader for what I think are some
truly neat old cameras!
I say that knowing full well Mamiya made some "clunkers" along the way. But
Mamiya introduced many new features into 35mm photography. They were in the
forefront of SLR design (see
Mamiya Prismat prototypes); had the first
production 35mm camera with a removable back (Mamiya Magazine 35,
c.1957); the first dual metering system (Mamiya 500 DTL, c.1968);
unquestionably the most technologically advanced 35mm SLR of its day
(Mamiya Auto XTL, c.1971) and they still produce medium-format
film & digital cameras and lenses of superb clarity. The new Mamiya Digital
Imaging Company also produces an extraordinary medium-format digital camera.
Few people realize Nikon's Nikkorex F camera, featuring the first Copal S
vertical-travel metal focal-plane shutter, was actually produced for Nikon by
Mamiya! Similarly, few people realize other well-known and well-respected cameras
(like the Rollei 35) used lenses (Rolleinar) that were actually made by
Mamiya!
Other Things
I've been fortunate to have done a lot of traveling
over the years. In the USA, I've been from Maine to California, Seattle
to Miami, and even the Bahamas (although I have to admit I've never
seen the Grand Canyon).
My wife and I have spent weeks in Germany, Austria and Hungary, and
made brief stops in Shannon, Ireland and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
We've been to Venice, Naples, Rome and Florence in Italy; Athens and
Santorini in Greece; Eze, Paris and Nice in France; Barcelona in Spain;
and Dubrovnik, Gruda and Cavtat in Croatia!
We've also been lucky enough to have seen the far side of the world,
spending several weeks in Tokyo, Kyoto, Fuji and Osaka in Japan, and both
Beijing and Shanghai in The People's Republic of China.
And, as wonderful as that all sounds (and yes, I do realize exactly how fortunate
and blessed we have been) there's still no place like home!
Something You Think Should Be Added?
Join my Collecting
Mamiya 35mm Forum and tell us about it!
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R.L. Herron All Rights Reserved. Legal
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