Yashica Pentamatic – 1960

January 29, 2019January 29, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Gettin’ its 1960s groove on with a little bit of fun in the studio.

Yashica ヤシカ Pentamatic ’35’

The Pentamatic was Yashica’s first 35mm single lens reflex (SLR) camera. For a company known for building quality twin lens reflex (TLR) cameras, it was a big step forward for them. It wouldn’t have been possible without the combined expertise of the engineers, designers, and craftspeople from Nicca Camera Company which Yashica had acquired in early 1958.

The Pentamatic with its placement of the cold shoe on the camera’s left top plate moved this clip on exposure meter away from the shutter button and film advance lever. A much more convenient location.

It’s a uniquely beautiful camera with all sorts of interesting angles and that forward facing shutter release button. (see below) The cold shoe (accessory shoe) wasn’t mounted on top of the pentaprism as was common (well most SLRs didn’t have a cold or hot shoe yet) but instead was located on the upper left side of the camera and combined with the rewind lever. (see above)

That wonderful shutter release button – right where your “trigger” finger wants to be when holding such a heavy camera.

A crop of the full-page ad from the June 1960 issue of Modern Photography. Yashica’s first public advertisement of their new SLR.

A complete set as it would have come from the factory with the exception of the lens. I swapped out the standard Tomioka made 5.5cm f/1.8 lens for this beauty.

Earliest known sales brochure (from Japan) for the Pentamatic. We’re unsure of its exact month of issue but it appears to be at least from the first half of 1960 as it talks about the cooperation between the designers at Nicca and Yashica to bring this camera to market. Many thanks to my good friend Paul Sokk for the kind use of his brochure. For more from Paul, stop by his amazing site at http://www.yashicatlr.com

Thanks for stopping by and hopefully you’ve learned a bit more about this wonderful camera from Yashica. – Chris

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris.

Beauty and the Beast

January 26, 2019January 26, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

The Canon New F-1 and New F-1 AE ’84 Olympic

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The Canon New F-1 which was released in late 1981 replaced the original F-1 which made its appearance in 1971. This latest F-1 was a radical step forward for Canon’s professional camera as it incorporated many features into the camera that were previously only available as an accessory. The 1985 Los Angeles Olympics model followed in line with previous Olympic editions – 1976 Montreal and the 1980 Lake Placid.

Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris.

Hard workin’ F-1

January 26, 2019January 26, 2019Chris and Carol 2 Comments

“It’s been a hard day’s night…”

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Canon New F-1 (or F-1N)

Sometimes a well-used camera can feel just right in your hands – no worries about keeping it mint – just focus on getting the shot. This one has certainly earned its keep and rewarded me with its lovely patina. Showin’ a little brass!

Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris.

Minolta’s Gem from the 1970s

January 25, 2019January 25, 2019Chris and Carol 2 Comments

The Minolta SR-T 102 aka SR-T Super. In its day it was considered to be one of the best all-around 35mm SLRs.

1973-1975

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With proper care, these well-built cameras (and Rokkor lenses) will deliver decades of use. The shutter is mechanically timed and the battery is only needed to use the TTL light meter.

Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris.

Minolta SR-T 102 (Super)

January 25, 2019January 25, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I have a very nice (super clean) and fully working Minolta SR-T 102 35mm film camera set available for purchase in my shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

A little bit about this set. I believe the camera is from 1974 (I purchased it from the original owner) and it was her dream camera back in the day. It’s been around the world a few times as she is now a professional photographer. I’ve thoroughly inspected it, tested it and detailed every square millimeter of it and it’s ready to begin its next life.

The lens that is attached is an Access branded (made by Kobori Optical of Japan) 28-70mm f2.8 zoom lens which of course has the Minolta MD and MC mount. The lens is also super clean, the zoom is silky smooth and the focus is bright and spot on. The optics are totally free of any distracting marks – no fungus, no mold, no cleaning marks and except for a few stray specs of dust looks mint. The aperture blades are oil free and snappy and the lens mounts to the body securely.

The Access polarizing filter is in mint condition and the UV filter is nice as well and has been on this lens since new. The camera does have a small dent on the left side of the top plate and as was common in the 1970s she etched her Colorado DL number in the base plate. The camera takes the very easy to find (and affordable) 625 3v battery which powers the TTL meter (accurate).

Pop on over to the shop if you’re interested – I’ll ship it pretty much worldwide.

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Have a great day and thanks for stopping by! BTW, there’s plenty to see in my shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Chris

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris.

The quickest way to Zen…

January 23, 2019Chris and Carol 4 Comments

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Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

Concentrate Grasshopper!

New Arrivals in the Shop – 1.21.2019

January 21, 2019January 21, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Some unique items hit the shop over the past few days – more items from our collection and more to post soon. Stop by the shop and browse around as you might see something that strikes your fancy! See everything at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Is there a particular camera, lens or photo accessory that you’re looking for? I may have it! Send me a message and I’ll see if I have it or if I can find it for you – I have many contacts.

store collage

Slik U-212 Deluxe Tripod, Sigma XQ 500mm Mirror Lens & Case (Canon FD Mount), Tokina 2X Doubler (Tele-converter), Canon A-1 1984 Olympics Box, Enna Werk Leather Lens Case, Canon A-1 Instruction Books, Polaroid Spectra Instruction Book, Super Nice Tamron-Canon EF Mount 28-300mm f3.5 Aspherical AF Lens for 35mm SLR or Digital, Asahi Pentax IQZoom 160 – super clean and super nice!

Coming shortly……. Canon New F-1N 1984 LA Olympics 35mm camera set with the original box, AE finder, AE motor drive FN – all in mint condition! Minolta X-700 35mm SLR and Minolta lenses, Minolta SRT 102, and more! Much more!

Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris.

OK, Creepy 35mm Slide

January 17, 2019January 17, 2019Chris and Carol 2 Comments

This super cool 35mm slide viewer from the 1950s has an interesting surprise inside – how about a creepy scientist?

Yikes! I don’t really want to know what’s on that counter.

Full disclosure – the slide says it’s an official photograph of the Veterans Administration so I’m thinking it’s OK.

Thanks for stopping by and BTW, this is available at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Chris

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris.

Canon Photo Gear in the shop – new arrivals!

January 17, 2019January 22, 2019Chris and Carol 2 Comments

Select items from my collection of Canon photo gear are now on sale in my online shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com – pop on over and check them out – you may find something that strikes your fancy. Some unique Canon items from the Summer Olympics that were held in Los Angeles in 1984 and even a hard to find 1976 Olympics lens cap from the Olympics held in Montreal.

Happy hunting!

Thank you!

Original instructions from 1981

Instruction book for the A-1 from 1981

“Action Grip” for the Canon A-1 and AE-1 Program – SOLD! Thank you!

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A rather rare Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar lens with the Exa-Exakta mount – 1952

Canon fanny pack from the 1984 Olympics

Canon camera strap still new from 1984

Getting harder to find – 55mm lens cap commemorating the 1976 Olympics

Hardly ever seen here in the US – 52mm lens cap

Many more items wait to be discovered in the shop as I continue to sell off my collections of photo stuff. I’ll be listing a mint condition Yashica Mat-124G TLR soon as well as a mint condition Canon New F-1 (F-1N) LA Olympics 35mm SLR! Stay tuned.

Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris.

Some nice Nikon photo gear in my store!

January 15, 2019January 22, 2019Chris and Carol 1 Comment

I’ve just added some rather interesting Nikon stuff in my online store at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

It’s a nice way to add some nice Nikon photo gear to your collection.

All three items are now SOLD! Thank you!!!

In mint condition Nikon waist-level viewfinder/magnifier model DW-3 for the Nikon F3 SLR

Thank you!

Thank you!

I’ll be listing a “ton” of other items from my camera and photo gear collection over the next week or so. Stop back often.

Lots of other neat things in the shop so stop on by! Thanks, Chris

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris.

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

Yashica cameras and so much more!

Month January 2019

Yashica Pentamatic – 1960

Beauty and the Beast

Hard workin’ F-1

Minolta’s Gem from the 1970s

The Minolta SR-T 102 aka SR-T Super. In its day it was considered to be one of the best all-around 35mm SLRs.

Minolta SR-T 102 (Super)

The quickest way to Zen…

New Arrivals in the Shop – 1.21.2019

OK, Creepy 35mm Slide

Canon Photo Gear in the shop – new arrivals!

Some nice Nikon photo gear in my store!