Some new information about the origins of the <E.P> mark on cameras.

December 31, 2024December 31, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

This document was discovered on a recent Facebook camera group. I can’t recall who the original poster was, but it’s much appreciated. This is a document translation, as the original would have been in Japanese (obviously).

So far, this document is the only official evidence I’ve found about the <E.P> mark on cameras and other photo gear and its implementation.

According to the “Goods Tax Law,” the <E.P> Mark was created. This Canon in my collection is the earliest <E.P> mark I found on a Canon F-1.

This F-1 was made in August 1971 and is among the first 20,000 made.

I’ve written about this program over the years, you can read more about it in this post https://yashicasailorboy.com/2024/01/05/more-about-the-e-p-mark-on-japanese-made-cameras-and-lenses-1953-1977/

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.

New in my Camera Shop, just in time for holiday gift giving.

December 20, 2024December 20, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Here are just a few items in my Etsy camera shop from my collection of cameras and photo gear. Visit http://www.ccstudio2380.com to see these items in detail.

Asahi Pentax, Canon, Yashica, and Nikon.

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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New cameras in my shop – just in time for Xmas!

December 10, 2024December 10, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I have a few camera sets from my extensive collection just in time for the holiday gift-giving season. Some of these cameras, along with their original boxes, are rare in their mint and new condition. I’ve serviced each one and thoroughly tested them with film where necessary. My Etsy shop is at http://www.ccstudio2380.com.

Classic Canon A-1 with a Canon NFD 50mm f/1.8 lens and limited edition 1980 Winter Olympics Lake Placid lens cap.

A Canon FT QL 35mm SLR. This was released just before the Canon F-1 was released in the summer of 1971. The FT is built like a tank and will probably outlast us all.

A favorite! The 1994 Contax RX is pretty close to the perfect film camera. Add a Contax Carl Zeiss T* lens, and you have photographic excellence.

Attention Pentax fans. This is an Asahi Pentax SL from around 1968. It is in perfect condition inside and out and fully serviced. It is ready for film and ready for your next photo walk.

Rare, rare, and more rare. From 1978, a completely new and never used Nikon F2A with its original box and certified Nikon USA 25th Anniversary Edition.

Canon’s Black Beauty is a close cousin to the famous Canon F-1 but with some significant differences. In addition to a fully manual mode, it can shoot automatically in shutter priority mode. You select the shutter speed, and the camera sets the proper aperture. It can electronically time the shutter to up to a 30-second exposure. It’s one of Canon’s best designs from the mid-1970s.

This is a rare Nikon blue canvas messenger bag. It was released in limited quantities as a promotional item around the same time as the F2A and F2AS in the late 1970s. It’s new and never used, making it a perfect gift for a Nikon collector.

Thanks for stopping by and allowing me to shamelessly promote my camera shop! – Chris

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Canon F-1 ‘Super Set’

December 9, 2024December 9, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

None better. My Canon F-1 ‘Super Set’: a Canon F-1 body (1978), a Canon FD 55mm f1.2 Chrome Nose lens (1972), a Canon Motor Drive MF with Grip MF, and finally, a Canon Servo EE Finder. Everything is part of my collection, and everything works as designed. It is a tribute to Canon’s designers and engineers.

It stands tall. It’s not light—it’s not something you tote around on a photo walk. It’s shown here without the Servo-EE finder. It’s certainly better suited for a studio or at a fixed point at a sporting event.

My original F-1 (body only) was purchased at the US Navy Exchange in Yokohama, Japan, in the summer of 1978. The f/1.2 lens and the motor drive were added much later.

I believe it will stay in my collection until I pass it along to another collector at a much later point. I must get serious about thinning my collection over this next year. I now have some very nice cameras in my Etsy camera shop that you may find interesting. Check it out at http://www.ccstudio2380.com. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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single frame

December 6, 2024December 6, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Limited Edition Canon OD F-1 from early 1978. Out of the blue (in this case, green), Canon in Japan released about 2,000 of these factory-painted olive-drab F-1s, reportedly only for the home market. They came with a special box, unique strap, custom case, and no lens. My OD F-1 has seen some action as it has just a touch of brassing in its key wear points, which I have no problem with. I’ve added a Canon Power Winder F and my trusty Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 S.S.C. lens. Canon only made the body green, so no green accessories or lenses exist. I have this set loaded with film and will take it out and about soon. Stay connected for more about this special camera and my images.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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Friday Fotos! – some recent cameras featured from my collection.

December 6, 2024December 6, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

This is a fully dressed Canon F-1. The body is my 1978 original, with the addition of the Canon Servo EE Finder, a Canon FD 55mm f/1.2 chrome nose lens, and Canon Motor Drive MF. It’s crazy heavy.

This is an Asahi Pentax SL from 1968 with a super-sharp Asahi Super-Takumar f/1.8 55mm lens. It’s a basic camera with a mechanical shutter and no built-in meter. It’s a gem in all-black paint. This one is available for purchase in my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com.

Officially known as the Canon OD F-1. The ‘OD’ indicates olive drab. It was a limited edition F-1 made in early 1978 and in limited quantities. Possibly just over 2,000 made. I’ve also added a Canon Power Winder F and a Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 S.S.C. lens from 1978. Canon didn’t color-match any accessories or lenses to this special version. Sharp and cool.

**Photographic Excellence**
One of the reasons I enjoy using my Fujifilm X-T2 is that it handles like my favorite Contax RTS. I use the Yashica lens and its cousin, the Carl Zeiss Planar f/1,7 50mm lens, equally. Both are made in the same factory from similar-quality glass. By the way, the Yashica f/1.7 lens is heavier than the Planar if weight equals quality.
Fujifilm X-T2 from 2016 and the Contax RTS from 1976.

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Canon’s ‘Black Beauty’ – the F-1s cousin

October 8, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Canon EF – A Classic 35mm SLR

I found my first E.P mark on a Canon F-1

September 27, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

More about the E.P mark on Japanese-made cameras and lenses (1953-1977)

A sharp P&S from Canon – Autoboy S II

August 27, 2024August 27, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Well-designed and super functional, Canon’s Autoboy S II (Super) Panorama was released in Japan in March 1996 for 62,000 JPY ($540 USD). It features a super sharp Canon 38-135mm power zoom lens (f3.6 – 8.9). 10 elements in 10 groups. 7 shooting modes and AiAF, too.