Japan Pavilion – Epcot World Showcase

November 22, 2021November 22, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Random images from a trip to Epcot. The Japan Pavilion is always one of our favorite spots to visit.

Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

Comments are always welcomed as I’ve learned quite a bit from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by and while you’re at it, feel free to visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios hosted by Etsy). – Chris Whelan

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, is this blog’s property and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris, Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris.

Disney dungeon

November 21, 2021November 21, 2021Chris and Carol 2 Comments

Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

the ominous orb

November 20, 2021November 20, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Disney in a different light.

Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

sky painting

November 20, 2021November 20, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Ice crystal cirrus clouds and a high-flying jet in the late day sun.

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

Yashica Camera vs. Rodan!

November 20, 2021November 20, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Back in 1956, the classic Japanese sci-fi monster movie Rodan was released in color to wide acclaim. In the Japanese original Rodan was Radon (Original title: Sora no daikaijû Radon).

Something that I’ve always liked doing is whenever a camera is used in an older movie I like to see if I can tell which model or at least the brand of the camera that’s depicted. Obviously cameras sometimes just flash across the screen as they are usually just props used to enhance the story so it can be very difficult to identify the camera beyond the basics (TLR, SLR, rangefinder). In this movie at about the 41:15 mark, the young newlywed is about to take his bride’s picture while touring an active volcano. He’s clearly using a Yashima YashicaFlex Model C twin-lens reflex (TLR) camera when he sees Rodan fly towards them. In horror, he runs away while throwing the camera to the ground.

Screen capture of the YashicaFlex after hitting the ground.

The YashicaFlex Model C was produced between September 1955 and June 1957 making it a good choice for this then high-budget flick (it was the first monster movie from this famous studio to be filmed in color). I wonder if Yashima (Yashica) paid for product placement?

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049782/?ref_=ttmi_tt

Another camera I’ve spotted in a movie is the Calypso (later Nikonos) camera Bond gives Domino in the classic Thunderball (1965). The camera apparently takes underwater shots and has a built-in Geiger counter! From my IMDb contribution to “goofs” – “When Q hands Bond the underwater camera and tells him it takes 8 shots by pressing a button, the camera is plainly seen as a black Calypso 35mm camera with has black gaffers tape covering the name across the bottom. Later while onboard the yacht, Domino is seen with the camera as she walks in the passageway while using it as a Geiger counter. The camera falls to the deck when Largo confronts her and the lens is seen popping off. We hear the sounds of the counter and see some type of gadget inside just behind where the lens was. When she bends down and picks it up, Largo takes it from her and the camera is briefly seen with the silver lens re-attached”. Another camera in a movie is the Exakta VX 35mm SLR Jimmy Stewart uses in the Hickcock thriller Rear Window (1954).

Thanks for stopping by! Do you have a favorite movie where a camera plays a part? Let me know in the comments. Thanks.

Vintage Leather Camera Bag

November 19, 2021November 19, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I came across the beautiful leather camera bag while meeting with some clients of mine. They had a nice assortment of classic cameras to sell and as an afterthought, added this bag with the cameras.

I was immediately taken with the overall design of the bag and who couldn’t resist the warm and well-worn patina the leather had developed over the decades.

What amazed me the most was that all of the stitching on the exterior of the bag was intact – nothing had pulled apart. I’m guessing that the bag is from the 1950s although the 1960s wouldn’t be a stretch.

The only spot where some of the stitching had given way was around this accessory pouch sewn into the bottom of the lid. No other markings could be found except for these and a Google search didn’t provide any clues as to who was the maker.

I had planned on restoring the leather and maybe redoing the dividers inside but a lack of free time prevented me from ever getting around to it. So, I listed it in my online Etsy shop (www.ccstudio2380.com) and it sold within a day! Hopefully, the owner has plans for the bag that include a freshening up of the leather and maybe even getting the lock to work again.

The fabric-covered dividers are still very much intact but could stand some padding and new fabric.

Even the bottom of the bag is in amazing condition. Maybe I’m way off on the age of this bag.

Has anyone seen a bag like this before? How about the logo inside the bag? As I’ve mentioned, there are no other markings indicating where it was made and who may have made it. In the end, everything worked out alright – a customer bought a beautiful bag and has the chance to give it another life. Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

Yashica Electro 35 GT

November 19, 2021November 19, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I’ve decided to sell my very nice Yashica Electro 35 GT camera. I recently purchased it from the original first owner in my local camera shop. It’s working perfectly after I installed a fresh battery and battery adapter. The meter is accurate and the lens is crystal clear. This model of the Electro 35 features semi-auto exposure shooting. What I mean by that is you obviously set the film’s ASA (ISO) rating then select the correct exposure based on the brightness of the subject and the camera will set the proper shutter speed. There are warning arrows that are visible inside the viewfinder that will warn if the scene is too bright or dark for the f-stop you’ve selected. I’m making it sound more complicated than it actually is. Let’s say it’s a bright sunny day and you’re shooting with a film rated at 200 ASA. You’d set the exposure (f-stop) to let’s say f/8. You could walk around taking shots and except for manually focusing never change the exposure settings. The camera will automatically adjust the shutter speed. It’s perfect for black & white street photography.

The Electro 35 GT features a fast f/1.7 lens which makes this camera ideal for low light situations with fast film. The Yashinon DX lens is super sharp too and at 45mm it’s perfect for 35mm photography.

Here is the new battery with the adapter. About $13 from a seller in Spain. It allows you to use a very common alkaline battery since mercury batteries are banned.

It has a simple top plate with ASA settings from 25 to 1000. The two lights warn of exposures outside the proper exposure range. The meter turns on when you advance the film and shuts off after your shot.

Super nice 35mm rangefinder camera from Yashica.

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

more LIFE – 1987

November 18, 2021November 19, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

The cover of Life magazine from January 1988.

How many of these events and people do you remember? The 1987 Ford Festiva LX (pictured below) was made by Kia for Ford. I actually owned a 1993 Festiva which was virtually unchanged from this model. 12-inch wheels by the way and awesome gas mileage approaching the low 40 mpg range on the highway.

And talk about changes. The 1954 De Soto (pictured below) from an ad that appeared in the November 23, 1953 issue of Life.

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

wordless wednesday

November 17, 2021November 17, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Monster cars from Detroit – 1969

November 17, 2021November 17, 2021Chris and Carol 2 Comments

I just found a Life magazine from September 27, 1969, that was loaded with new car advertisements (which is to be expected in a September issue). Car manufacturers introduced their new model cars typically in the early fall. Here are some “land yachts” from Detroit.

Actually the two smallest cars from Chevy for 1969.

Another monster from GM. Wide-Track Pontiac Grand Prix.

Look familiar? It’s the same platform over and over again – just different body designs – huge 2-door cars.

The same car over and over again. Looks just like the Caprice, doesn’t it?

In 1970 I worked with a guy who had this vehicle and in the small shopping center where we worked, he could never find a spot to park his monster.

Here is the issue of Life magazine that these cars ads are from.