Large Format Lens – Wollensak Raptar

August 24, 2020August 24, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

It sounds like a bird of prey – Wollensak Raptar. It’s actually a Raptar Serirs II 162mm f/4.5 (Catalog 2) lens that was made from 1947 to 1972. This one is from around 1950 and is in excellent condition with a fully working and accurate Wollensak Rapax 3 Synchromatic lens.

This 162mm lens is equivalent to a 55mm ‘normal’ lens in 35mm photography.

Classic Burke & James Press (4×5) camera from the late 1940s to the mid-1950s (pictured below).

Super clean and shiny.

1946 catalog from Burke & James.

This press camera is designed to shoot with still available 4×5 inch sheet film in both color and black & white negative film and color transparency (slide) film.

An example of a currently available 4×5 sheet film. Kodak, Fujifilm, Ilford, and others are still made and there are many online labs that develop the film.

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

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.

New ground glass focusing screen for my Burke & James 4×5 Press Camera

August 23, 2020August 23, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I’ve recently acquired a rather large collection of cameras and various bits of gear from well-known New Mexico writer and photographer Ken Cobean’s estate. His son, Sam Cobean was kind enough to let me appraise his dad’s collection and we’ve since struck a deal for me to purchase it.

One of the cameras in the collection is this very nice Burke & James Press camera (pictured below) from the late 1940s to early 1950s (I haven’t nailed down the exact date of this particular camera as of this post). It may turn out to be a mid-fifties camera and lens set after a tad more research.

4×5 inch large format press camera. Equipped with a Wollensak Rapax Syncromatic shutter with speeds from 1 to 1/200th of a second plus ‘B’ and ‘T’.

The lens is a Wollensak 162mm f/4.5 coated Raptar Series II (Tessar type) made about 1950 or 1951. In 4×5 large format photography, a 162mm focal length lens is considered to be equivalent to a ‘normal’ 55mm lens in 35mm photography.

The ‘C’ with the ‘W’ inside it (in red) indicates that the lens is ‘Wocoted’ or simply has a Wocote coating on all lens surfaces. This lens was produced between 1947 to 1972.

After installing a new custom made ground glass focusing screen I decided to give it a test run in the studio. My Yashica LM proved to be an appropriate subject.

The revolving back on the B&J Press was rotated to take advantage of the verticle nature of the shot. I’m quite pleased with the results.

My ‘studio’ set up. The press camera is in the dark on the lower right.

The original ground glass in the press camera has seen better days.

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

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.

SUNday Spotlight – Chasing Classic Cameras – Leica Bits!

August 23, 2020August 23, 2020Chris and Carol 1 Comment

Part of the fun of collecting cameras is discovering something you didn’t know existed. In this case, I recently discovered that Leica Leitz made lens cases out of Bakelite (ancient plastic) that held various Leica lenses in the late 1940s and early 1950s (reportedly as early as the mid-1930s).

The case is designed to hold the lens securely with a small notch for the focus knob.

There are small numbers embossed in the base, 2729, and on the cap 2617. These numbers do not show up currently on a search of Leica catalog numbers.

The outside of the base of the Bakelite case.

‘BCDOO’ was the Leica catalog code for the Bakelite lens case for the 3.5cm Summaron. The translation of the French is “Bakelite boxes with screw-thread cover for…”.

Apparently, at some point in time (I don’t know the date of this catalog) these Bakelite cases were offered with the lenses as either a standard accessory or available as a separate option.

A small sample of the Bakelite cases.

Thanks for stopping by and here’s hoping you have a beautiful day and that you’re about to discover something neat in your camera collection! – Chris

By the way, my camera shop is always open at http://www.ccstudio2380.com so feel free to pop on over.

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.

New in the Shop – Cameras, Lenses & Neat Photo Stuff!

August 22, 2020August 22, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Hi all! Hope you’re staying safe and taking care of one another. Here are some new items I’ve added to my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com this week.

snip 8.22 1

snip 8.22 2

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

My shop is 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.

Nikon D50 DSLR with AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5G ED Zoom Lens

August 20, 2020August 20, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Hi all! I have a very nice classic Nikon DSLR from 2005 – it’s been fully tested, it’s super clean, and works 100%. The Nikkor lens is super sharp and focuses quickly and accurately. The lens can mount on any F mount body and can focus both with autofocus and manually.

DSCF2190

Here’s a couple of sample shots from it just this morning.

Full auto exposure and autofocus at full zoom. Great details, nice contrast, and fantastic colors.

A studio shot of the original Nikon camera strap and Lowepro padded DSLR bag that’s included with this nice set. The Nikon D50 excels for taking product shots for online auctions and it’s perfect for quick and easy pics for your website.

This set includes the Nikon D50 DSLR, the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5G DX ED zoom lens, the original Nikon camera strap, Nikon front and rear lens caps, Nikon remote with a fresh Sony battery, Nikon charger and battery, and the Lowepro case.

Nikon D50 DSLR and AF-S Nikkor Zoom Lens and all accessories pictured. Fully working and as clean as new.

Super nice Nikon DSLR set as described and depicted here in this post. Additional pictures upon request. I'll ship anywhere in the US via USPS Priority Mail with insurance and tracking FOR FREE! I can also ship nearly worldwide just ask for a quote first. If you would rather purchase this camera set direct from my shop (hosted by Etsy) just pop on over to http://www.ccstudio2380.com Thanks, Chris

$129.00

Throwback Thursday – a Canon Classic

August 20, 2020August 20, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Canon New F-1 Olympics

The Canon New F-1 Los Angeles 1984 Olympics Edition.

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

Be sure to stop by my always open camera shop hosted by Etsy 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.

(almost) wordless wednesday

August 19, 2020August 19, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

yashica sailor boy big with j3

Thanks for stopping by and remember to stay safe out there! – Chris

Be sure to visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com for some pretty interesting classic cameras, lenses, and photogear.

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.

SUNday Spotlight – Chasing Classic Cameras – Arco Colinar Lens

August 16, 2020August 16, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

From 1952, a little known Japanese lens maker produced this super nice Leica screw mount telephoto lens. The Arco Colinar 13.5cm f/3.8 short telephoto.

DSCF2163 (1)

It was one of the first lenses produced by this start-up company. The serial number, No. 27559 gives a clue as to when it was made. The ’27’ is the Showa year and when converted to our Western calendar is 1952 (27 + 25 = 52). The remaining numbers would indicate the number made up to that point. In this case, it is the 559th made.

I believe it is a chromed brass bodied lens as it weighs 615 grams. Lots of brass and glass in a small package.

DSCF2171

Test image from about 10 feet at f/11.

Test image from about 15 feet at f/11.

The lens is designed for 35mm rangefinder cameras that use the Leica LTM/L39 screw mount – Leica, Nicca, Canon, Leotax to name just a few.

The lens was mounted on my Fujifilm X-A10 mirrorless digital camera using a Fotodiox M39-FX adapter. I’m very happy with the performance of this classic and a rather rare lens that’s still going strong after 68 years of service.

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

Be sure to visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com – lots of new old stuff added this week – check it out.

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.

Friday Fotos! – Testing my Nikkor f/2 85mm portrait lens

August 14, 2020August 14, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

My recently acquired classic lens from Nippon Kogaku Japan – Nikkor-P C f/2 85mm (8.5cm) LTM / L39

Using my Fotodiox M39-FX adapter on my Fujifilm X-A10 mirrorless digital camera. What better test than to shoot a portrait.

f/11

f/2

f/2

f/11 with indoor lighting.

I’m very happy with its performance across the spectrum. For a nearly 70-year-old lens pretty impressive. BTW, the lens stops down to f/32!

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

Be sure to visit my camera shop hosted by Etsy at 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.

Friday Fotos! – Naked Leica

August 14, 2020August 14, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Happy Friday all! Today’s featured camera the Leica IIIg with attached Leicavit winder. This camera was built in 1956 according to its serial number and typical for these Leica IIIg bodies, the leatherette (vulcanite) becomes brittle with age and extreme dryness. Although the dry air inhibits corrosion it does dry out internal lubrication so a complete CLA is in order.

I’ve deskinned (crude) the body of its failed covering reveling a rather industrial looking Leica in its place.

I could get used to this look.

Before the covering was removed. It looked good until you handled it and then bits of old leather just fell off in small crumbles.

It’s headed off for some much-needed service. I’ll keep you posted when I get it back and run a test roll of film through it. I’m still up in the air about what to recover it with.

Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

My camera shop is always open 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.

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

Yashica cameras and so much more!

Author Chris and Carol

Large Format Lens – Wollensak Raptar

It sounds like a bird of prey – Wollensak Raptar. It’s actually a Raptar Serirs II 162mm f/4.5 (Catalog 2) lens that was made from 1947 to 1972. This one is from around 1950 and is in excellent condition with a fully working and accurate Wollensak Rapax 3 Synchromatic lens.

New ground glass focusing screen for my Burke & James 4×5 Press Camera

I’ve recently acquired a rather large collection of cameras and various bits of gear from well-known New Mexico writer and photographer Ken Cobean’s estate. His son, Sam Cobean was kind enough to let me appraise his dad’s collection and we’ve since struck a deal for me to purchase it.

SUNday Spotlight – Chasing Classic Cameras – Leica Bits!

Part of the fun of collecting cameras is discovering something you didn’t know existed. In this case, I recently discovered that Leica Leitz made lens cases out of Bakelite (ancient plastic) that held various Leica lenses in the late 1940s and early 1950s (reportedly as early as the mid-1930s).

New in the Shop – Cameras, Lenses & Neat Photo Stuff!

Hi all! Hope you’re staying safe and taking care of one another. Here are some new items I’ve added to my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com this week.

Nikon D50 DSLR with AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5G ED Zoom Lens

Hi all! I have a very nice classic Nikon DSLR from 2005 – it’s been fully tested, it’s super clean, and works 100%. The Nikkor lens is super sharp and focuses quickly and accurately. The lens can mount on any F mount body and can focus both with autofocus and manually.

Throwback Thursday – a Canon Classic

(almost) wordless wednesday

SUNday Spotlight – Chasing Classic Cameras – Arco Colinar Lens

From 1952, a little known Japanese lens maker produced this super nice Leica screw mount telephoto lens. The Arco Colinar 13.5cm f/3.8 short telephoto.

Friday Fotos! – Testing my Nikkor f/2 85mm portrait lens

My recently acquired classic lens from Nippon Kogaku Japan – Nikkor-P C f/2 85mm (8.5cm) LTM / L39

Friday Fotos! – Naked Leica