A pair of classic Nikons.

July 27, 2023August 9, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

A pair of classic Nikons ready for their first adventures with me.
On the left is a Nikon F Photomic-T with a Nikkor-S Auto 50mm f1.4 lens with an age-appropriate cap. The camera body is from 1967 and the finder is from 1965. A more appropriate finder for this body would have been the TN. The lens is from 1968. On the right is a Nikon F2A Photomic with the DP-11 finder (that’s what makes it an “A”). The F2 body is a late 1972 to early 1973 model and the finder is from at least 1977. The lens is a Nikkor 50mm f2 from 1978. The strap is NOS that I just happen to like the color scheme on it. The brown half-case on the Photomic-T is a mid-sixties case.
Both meters have been checked and they are accurate – a film test will tell more but on older metered cameras such as these, I shoot color negative film with a wide exposure latitude (Fujifilm 200 and 400).
There you have my entire Nikon collection (almost). I’ve just added the last piece, a gorgeous early F from 1964 which I’ll soon show off. LOL
Thanks for stopping by, Chris
My camera shop is at www.ccstudio2380.com

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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.

It’s the little things that count.

July 25, 2023July 25, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

When collecting vintage and classic film cameras sometimes it’s the little things that add the most to a collection. Chasing down those little extras that the camera manufacturers packaged along with their cameras and lenses.

At first glance, these two items look similar from the front.

The Yashica ‘Sailor Boy’ logo first appeared in 1962. These cloths were available in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Viewed from behind it’s clear that these cloths were made by the same third-party manufacturer. It’s nice to see that Yashica was in the same league with Nikon for a while at least.

I haven’t seen cloths like these with another manufacturer’s logo (yet). Have any of you? Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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3 little Yashicas from the 1960s

July 23, 2023July 27, 2023Chris and Carol 2 Comments

Yashica Minimatic-S. A fully automatic (no autofocus) 35mm rangefinder was released in February 1963. The camera set both the aperture and shutter speed.

Yashica M. Released in June 1960. 35mm rangefinder with a sharp and fast Yashinon f1.9 lens. The “M” was also known as the 35M and 35 Model M.

Yashica Half 17. Capable of shooting up to 72 images on a roll of 36-exposure 35mm film.

Each camera uses selenium cell light meters to assist with setting the proper exposure. If you can find working examples of these classics you’ll enjoy a whole new level of vintage film shooting as the Yashinon lenses are sharp, colorful, and contrasty. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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Fujica GW690 Professional

July 17, 2023July 17, 2023Chris and Carol 1 Comment

Fujica GW690 Professional 6x9cm Camera
Fully Tested and Working Perfectly

This is the famous “Texas Leica” camera
from the late 1970s. It’s super simple
to use and produces some of the sharpest
and most detailed images imaginable.

*This is from my personal collection
and I’ve used this camera many times over
the years. It works perfectly.

It takes 120 roll films which are still made today.
It requires no batteries.
It has a leaf shutter in the lens – simple and accurate.
It’s available in my camera shop at www.ccstudio2380.com
Thanks, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Happy SUNday!

July 16, 2023July 19, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Nikon F2A and Canon F-1

July 10, 2023July 10, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Can you say the Canon is a bit more “compact”?
Both camera systems are products of the 1970s and the design esthetic is classic and clean for the era. Side-by-side the differences are obvious. The Nikon’s metered prism (DP-11) is much larger and taller than the eye-level prism on the Canon (which was the standard prism since its introduction in 1971) and the motor drive is taller on the F2A but wider on the F-1. Which is your favorite? Another difference – is that Canon’s exposure (light) meter was built into the body of the camera vice being located in the prism like it is on the Nikon.

Without batteries in the motor drive the Nikon tips the scales at a hefty 1,520 grams.

Same situation for the Canon (no motor drive batteries) but somehow there are over 5 ounces of additional weight in the F-1.

More comparisons of these two popular professional system cameras in greater detail soon. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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Finally! (again)

July 9, 2023July 9, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Finally! A recently acquired Nikon F2A with a Nikon MD-2 Motor Drive. It’s actually a very well-used camera set that arrived dirty but working. It cleaned up nicely (I know how to detail a camera). Can’t wait to give it a go but since I’ve sold off all of my AI Nikkor lenses I’ll have to purchase a “new” one. I’m waiting on a new battery magazine for the Nikon MB-1 Battery Pack (it takes two magazines) so that part is untested ATM. The meter looks good and of course, the camera sounds great. It was professionally serviced back in 1992. The seals look good so I should be good to go once I get the lens (AI 50mm f2).

Nikon F2A Photomic. This model features the DP-11 meter head.

I say this again because just the other week I purchased a long-awaited Nikon F Photomic-T 35mm SLR to be the Nikon F in my collection. This model (above) is from late 1972 to around March 1973. The meter head was released in 1977. The motor drive was released in 1973.

Rear camera view of the F2A and MD-2 motor drive.

I’ll be sharing more details and a comparison with the Canon F-1 from the same time period. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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Ugh!

July 9, 2023July 9, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Unwanted “gift”. I recently purchased several bits of vintage photo gear and discovered this hidden gem. From the outside of the battery magazine, there was only a hint of corrosion but after removing the end panel the full extent of the corrosion became apparent. It’s beyond recovery so I was luckily able to order a replacement. Just a reminder to be always checking your seldom-used equipment for hidden and forgotten batteries. In this case AA batteries.

Check your gear and thanks for stopping by, Chris

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Nikon’s Little Gem – L35AF Set from 1983

July 5, 2023July 5, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Complete set – the original box with matching serial numbers and papers.

Nikon L35AF 35mm compact point & shoot classic from the early 1980s. Nikon’s finest.

Beautiful Nikon L35AF 35mm compact point & shoot camera set. It’s been professionally serviced and film tested – ready for another 40 years of service. It’s available in my camera shop at www.ccstudio2380.com
Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Nikon F 35mm SLR Camera with Photomic-T Finder from 1967

July 5, 2023July 5, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

It’s one of those camera profiles that even non-camera people will recognize (old movies, vintage print advertisements) instantly. The original Nikon F with a metered (light meter) viewfinder head.