Denton Taylor wrote:
>One hopes you are not comparing Fiat to Olympus. They should more likely
>be compared to Miranda, or worse :-)
Actually, in its heyday Miranda was a very innovative company, with many
distinctions such as: the first japanese SLR with a pentaprism (and a
removable one at that!), dual bayonet/thread lens mount, several special
bodies for scientific photography, etc. In addition to a memorable
name, all its cameras have this unique, elegant, "unmistakably Miranda"
appearance -- without being quirky or butt-ugly like the Exaktas or
early Nikons.
Driven by a very talented, single-minded founder-owner-inventor, during
the 50's and 60's, Miranda produced some of the finest japanese cameras,
such as the Miranda G which compared very favorably with Nikon F, as well
as the Sensorex -- a very reliable workhorse of a camera with TTL metering.
The Soligor-Miranda lenses were also very good, although as a small,
non-diversified company w/primary expertise in mechanical engineering,
Miranda couldn't quite match the breadth and depth of N*kon, C*non,
P*ntax, or M*nolta. Instead, thanks to its very slim body and a wide
diameter lens mount, a Miranda camera could accomodate most of its
competitors lenses. (A widest variety of adapters was available).
In 1971, just as Olympus badly stumbled with its screw-mount FTL,
Miranda was at the top of its game, introducing the highly successful
Auto Sensorex EE -- probably its best model. From this point on, it
was strictly downhill.
In the late 70's, after Miranda's attempt at modernization (the dx-3
camera had a compact body, electronic shutter, LED displays, was motor
drive ready, etc.) proved disastrous, the company folded. Unlike
Fiat or Olympus -- both large, diversified conglomerates, Miranda
had no financial cushion, and its first major failure did it in.
Whether you like it or hate it, one has to admit that even today
Mirandas remain among very few post-war 35mm SLR's with a truly
unique "personality". As such, IMHO they ought to appeal to an
average Zuik/Zuikette. They certainly warm my heart :-)
P.S. I never liked any of the Fiat cars, but for several years
happily drove a Lancia. :-) Sadly, Lancia was swallowed by
Fiat, and subsequently lost its "soul". What a shame!
Hopefully, some day some philantropist will create a museum
(well, really more like a mausoleum...) of distinguished,
highly original technological designs -- something like
"The House of Most Marvelous Techno-Toys for Men" (and Some
Enlightened Women :-)). I'd love to work there as a curator. /G.
Cheers,
/Gary Schloss.
Studio City, CA
schloss@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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