Restored GAF L-ES/2 (Chinon Memotron CE II)

[themoleman342]

I got this camera a long while ago but just got around the getting it up and running. The viewfinder glass window had come loose so it required a complete take-apart. All seals have been replaced.

This is without a doubt the best m42 camera I've seen. It's combined set of features surpass almost everything.

1/2000th top shutter speed
Multiple exposure provision
Auto Exposure with full set of manual speeds
Memory button (allows metering of a specific section of the scene, locking that exposure, and adjusting composition.
Shutter release lock
Mirror Lock Up - Using the self timer
Relatively bright 92% viewfinder (about the same as fujica st701) - micro-prism spot - I personally like this better than split (maybe an issue for some)
Built-in viewfinder light blind for long exposures
Visible shutter speeds through viewfinder
Metal Seiko Step-less Shutter (guarantees a very accurate exposure if the person behind the viewfinder knows what they're doing)
Uses very common px28 battery without issue

It's heavy (~70g more than a Pentax ES, which is not a particularly light camera) and sturdy and hopefully reliable. I was expecting a plastic top cover. The alpa si2000 re-branding, from what I read, was the only one with a metal top. Well the GAF has one...

So here it is - pictured with chinon macro 1.7/50mm and red soft release:

[Katastrofo]

That sure looks pretty! Like the red soft release button, too.

[Attila]

At the first glance like a Leica-R nice one!

[themoleman342]

[Ivo]

Great camera. That was the camera I used before I switched to DSLR. But beware of the batteries, they tend to run out of power quite soon, spoiling your shoots.