Month December 2020

Leotax Merite TV2 – 1958

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I’ve finally found a wonderful Merite camera body to add to my collection. I’ll be posting about it soon. Happy New Year!

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

While doing some research on late 1950s Japanese 35mm rangefinder cameras, I came across the Leotax brand. Their cameras are highly regarded by collectors and photographers alike. They have a reputation of being one of the better built Leica inspired models, especially during the early 1950s. I personally believe that Nicca built the best versions as I own several different models and I occasionally shoot with a Nicca 3-S.

My good friend Paul Sokk pointed out that a Leotax camera box in my collection has the name of the model spelled differently than the accepted norm – ‘Merite vs. Merit’. Intrigued we both started looking for proof as to the camera’s “real” name. The camera was also known as the model TV2.

merite 2 My recently acquired Leotax Merite camera box (from Japan). Mérite in French.

“Excellent mechanism with the best technology”… Leotax Merite

Brochure 2 Paul spotted this sales flyer from Leotax. The…

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Grrrr 2020!!!

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No real dogs were harmed in the making of this image. It’s just Daisey being Daisey (RIP).

Thank you to everyone who read my silly blog this past year and a big thanks to the now over 700 total followers! I can’t believe how fun (much needed fun) I got from this blog this year. Here’s wishing everyone a better New Year – stay safe and as always, much Peace and Love sent your way. – Chris & Carol

Be sure to stop by my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

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.

Copyright © 2015-2020 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.

Happy SUNday! – last day in the Navy

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Remembering back to that March day in 1997 when I retired from twenty-two years of service in the United States Navy. Aerographer’s Mate Senior Chief Petty Officer (meteorology).

Carol and Chris – 1997

This was the last time I wore the uniform. Carol traveled around the world with me for the entire 22 years that I was in and we were able to be together when I was stationed in Japan and Puerto Rico. Of course, there was plenty of stateside duty too. Three ships – USS Midway (CV-41) Japan, USS Forrestal (CV-59) Florida, USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) Florida.

Retirement ceremony onboard the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67).

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! – Chris

Be sure to stop by my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

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.

Copyright © 2015-2020 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.

Canon Professional Services EOS-1N RS

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My dream film camera realized.

Canon EOS-1N RS SLR. (RS = Rapid Speed). One of the best late model film cameras made by Canon. The later model EOS-1v was released in 2000 and was at the time the best a professional could get their hands on. In the current used markets the 1v goes for 2 to 3 times the cost of a little used 1N RS. The specs between the two cameras are not that different to justify the extra cost. About the best thing a 1v has going for it is that it’s anywhere from 5 to 8 years newer so maybe it could last longer. I don’t buy that argument as both are built to exceed professional standards for reliability and durability. One could argue that the EOS-1v may have been used harder by professionals than the EOS-1N RS.

You can read more about the 1v at Canon’s wonderful site https://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/film218.html

Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

Be sure to stop by my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

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.

Copyright © 2015-2020 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.

Canon’s Technological Wonder EOS-1N RS

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Back in late 1994 Canon released the newest member of their EOS 35mm SLR film camera family, the EOS-1N. This hyper-talented camera series would be the last 35mm film cameras made by Canon on the dawn of the digital age.

The motor drive in the RS was non-removable and was capable of up to 10fps in the high-speed continuous mode!!
Scan from the Canon EOS-1N sales brochure for the RS – 1994
Scan of the instruction manual – Japanese Edition 1995
Pictured with its standard lens – Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM
Fast lens, fast camera.

Do I need the high-speed function of a 35mm SLR film camera that goes through film like it’s a movie camera? Heck no, but it’s a blast owning it (kinda like a Corvette). You don’t need it but it’s fun to drive.

As the weather turns more favorable for out and about shooting I hope to take this marvel for a spin around town (pandemic appropriate of course).

Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

Be sure to stop by my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

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.

Copyright © 2015-2020 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.

Happy SUNday! – Nikkor Lens Test

Chris and Carol 2 Comments
Nippon Kogaku W-Nikkor C F3.5 2.8cm wide angle lens (1954).

One of the best and most useful features of having a mirrorless digital camera like this Fujifilm X-A10 is the ability to test and use some of my vintage lenses by using an adapter between the lens and the body.

It was a generally cloudy day with the sunlight filtered through some cirrus clouds so no harsh shadows and low contrast images.

Maidenhair ferns and cypress needles.
My trusty boulder and gravel test subjects.
Bald cypress in its autumn glory.
Here’s where a 28mm wide angle lens comes in handy.
I’m very happy with the resolution and detail of this vintage Nikkor glass.

I used a Fotodiox Lens Mount Adapter M39 – FX to mount my Nikkor lens to my Fujifilm camera body. Fotodiox makes a wide range of quality adapters for use on almost any mirrorless body and vintage lens. You can find them at https://fotodioxpro.com/collections/lens-mount-adapters

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day! – Chris

Be sure to stop by my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

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.

Copyright © 2015-2020 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.

Saturday Spotlight – My favorite RF

Chris and Carol 1 Comment

Whenever I reminisce about classic cameras from the 1950s it’s hard not to think of this Nicca camera inspired by the iconic Leica 35mm rangefinder (RF).

* Nicca 3-S from 1954 *

By today’s standards there’s nothing easy about using a camera from this era. Some of the “negatives” – manual focusing using a rangefinder (not thru the lens like an SLR), manual exposure and shutter speed settings, difficult film loading, and lots of add-ons just to be able to shoot with a wide angle or telephoto lens to name just a few. The positives – this is considered to be a miniature camera (compared to other film cameras), interchangeable lenses, rugged construction, excellent lens choices, and portability. I like this camera because it just feels right cradled in your hand.

Tiny 2.8cm (28mm) wide angle lens made by Nippon Kogaku (Nikkor-Nikon).
Optical viewfinder that provided the correct angle of view of the 2.8cm lens.
Nippon Kogaku W-Nikkor.C f3.5 2.8cm lens.
Optical viewfinder mounted on the Nicca’s accessory shoe.

If you want to experience film photography in its purest form then check out one of these amazing machines from the 1950s. Leica, Nicca, Yashica, Canon, Nikon, Leotax, and dozens more.

Totally random here but I wanted to give a shout out to my friend Peggy’s WordPress site at https://cameragocamera.com/ It’s a lot of fun to visit and she’s tested nearly every camera on the planet (almost) nearly every camera. Pop on over for a read and be sure to click follow while you’re there.

Thanks for stopping by and have a safe and beautiful day! – Chris

Be sure to stop by my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

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.

Copyright © 2015-2020 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.

Corrosive Batteries – check your gear now!

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Batteries dated Jan 98
These have been in a camera for at least 22 years!
Here’s just a bit of the damage they caused. Most of this can be removed with a soak in vinegar and some aggressive cleaning with a cotton swab dipped in vinegar.
It takes a lot of cleaning to reverse the damage caused when batteries leak. I was able to clean 90% of the corroded contacts but normally only about half of the gear becomes operational again. This one has yet to be tested.

Batteries, especially AA batteries can “leak” corrosive acid onto sensitive electrical contacts in as little as a few months! Remember to remove any battery from your cameras as soon as you are done with them. It’s easy to forget but the damage is often fatal.

Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

Be sure to stop by my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

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.

Copyright © 2015-2020 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.