A nifty little rangefinder from 1958.

December 16, 2024December 16, 2024Chris and Carol 3 Comments

Ricoh Five One Nine – 1958

The Ricoh 519 is a 35mm rangefinder camera made by Riken Optical Industries, Ltd. of Tokyo in 1958. The 35mm rangefinder field was extremely crowded in 1958, with Yashica entering the market with its first rangefinder at about the same time. Almost every major and relatively unknown Japanese camera maker had at least an entry in the marketplace. In general, the designs of cameras during this period could range from downright ugly to beautiful – I would place this Ricoh in the beautiful category. I love its lines and thoughtful engineering details. The build quality is exceptional – everything fits nicely, and the finishes are extraordinary. Who wouldn’t love the extra attention to detail with the “519” written in script?

Shown here with its light meter attached.

The meter is still active after all of these years.

It may not have had the build quality of a Leica, but it sure had style! Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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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. Copyright © 2015-2024 Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris (Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic), Chris Whelan. All rights reserved.

Happy SUNday! – imagine a World…

December 15, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Wishing everyone a peaceful day. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Our little tree.

December 14, 2024December 14, 2024Chris and Carol 3 Comments

This is the first tree we’ve put up since Christmas 2022. Last year, well, we just weren’t up to it.

Hope everyone is in the spirit for this year’s Christmas. It’s going to be a rocky 2025.

I came across this the other day. I’m not spiritual, but I was raised to have some faith in the teachings of the Catholic Church (decades ago). This struck me as appropriate for the times we’re living in.

Nothing more to say except thanks for stopping by, Chris

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Not sure about this one.

December 14, 2024December 14, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

A reader sent me these pictures of his Yashica TL Electro X ITS camera and asked if I knew anything about this version. I hadn’t seen a gold and lizard skin Yashica before (Contax, yes; Yashica, no).

I’ve seen similar lizard skin coverings, but from the image, it’s difficult to tell if it would have been applied at the factory.

The serial number indicates it was made in August 1970.

The plating quality looks sub-par, but it’s pretty worn again, so it’s difficult to tell.

Here is a genuine gold Contax camera with lizard skin coverings that’s presently for sale on an online auction site (see below).

This one is in new condition, so comparing the two cameras is difficult. Yashica joined Contax in 1975 to create a new line of modern Contax-branded cameras.

I suppose Yashica or one of its distributors might have made this gold TL Electro X version, but if they did, they left off the ‘ITS’ logo (badge) that would have been on the camera’s front just to the left of the lens. See an example of a genuine TL Electro X ITS camera below.

What do you think? Genuine or not? Ultimately, it’s his camera, and if he likes it, then great. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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Contax 137 MD Quartz and a lizard.

December 14, 2024December 14, 2024Chris and Carol 2 Comments

Not a lizard per se, but ‘lizard skin.’ I don’t usually collect cameras covered with anything but factory-applied black leatherette, but I fell hard for this beautiful model from Contax.

Contax 50th Anniversary model (1932-1982).

The 137-MD Quartz is a compact camera, even with its built-in motor drive (which is more like a power winder).

I love the simple, clean lines, and the unique lizard skins set it off.

If you’re looking for a unique camera to add to your collection, this model of the Contax 137-MD Quartz is worth the chase. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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Canon’s ‘mysterious’ green camera.

December 13, 2024December 13, 2024Chris and Carol 2 Comments

The Canon OD F-1, as it is referred to by Canon here: https://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/film95.html

“The Canon OD F-1 (released in March 1978) is a color-variation model of the F-1(later model) released in 1976. OD stands for Olive-drab, the camera’s body color, which was reminiscent of the U.S. army and a color popular with young people. Its specifications are the same as the F-1 (later model).” The preceding is a direct quote from Canon’s website.

I say mysterious only because Cano was tight-lipped about it when it was released in early 1978. No official documentation exists other than that it was made, but no explanation of why it was made and in such limited quantities (estimated between two to three thousand). It’s not a military camera; it wasn’t made for the US Army or the Japanese forces, and other than being olive drab, it bears no markings that differ from a regular black Canon F-1 of the same period. Here is the only known supporting documentation.

The cover page of a flyer that wasn’t published until early 1980 and only released in Japan.

The back page of the flyer. I’m not sure this flyer was published by Canon. When the camera was released, it didn’t include a lens, only the body. The camera depicted has a zoom lens, which wasn’t original to the set.

The set was issued by Canon in early 1978.

Complete sets such as this command appropriate attention and value among collectors.

The set included a special olive drab case.

My fully decked-out OD F-1.

I’ve attached a power winder and what would have been the correct era lens for the body.

I’ll have more about the camera in future posts. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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In the display cabinet (at the moment).

December 13, 2024December 13, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

My Yashica Pentamatic collection. The Pentamatic ’35’, Pentamatic II, and the Pentamatic S. Also, the Yashica Penta J and a couple of Yashica Sailor Boys.

Nikon F2A, Nicca 3-S, Contax 137 MD Quartz, and a Yashica FX-D Quartz.

Nikon FT, Leica IIIg (awaiting new skins), and a Nikon FTn Photomic ‘Apollo’. In the back, a Yashica YT-300 radio.

At the bottom are a Contax RX, Asahi Pentax H2, Yashica Flex S, and a Contax RTS.

‘GAS’, Gear Acquisition Syndrome. I do love collecting and occasionally using my classic film cameras. I lean towards Yashica and Contax, although more than a few Nikons have snuck in. By the way, these are Ikea cabinets. They offer high-quality metal and glass display cabinets at a great price. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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Big, bad Chevy with a GMC tail.

December 12, 2024December 12, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I don’t know the model year of the truck. It sure looks nice. Maybe 1955?

I like the ‘GMC’ logo on the tailgate. I can see why he chose it.

Here is a 1950 GMC truck photographed along Center Street with a similar logo style.

Photographed along Centre Street, Fernandina Beach Historic District. Canon EOS R with Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM lens.

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On the road to Mt. Fuji

December 12, 2024December 12, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

When Carol and I lived in Yokohama, Honmoku, Naka-ku, we could take a few trips to Mount Fuji as it was relatively close by car. Because I was in the US Navy and stationed aboard a ship in Yokosuka, I was often out to sea, so our time together at home was always short. These are a few images taken during a day trip in January 1979.