Category Canon Collectibles

A reminder, never leave batteries in your photo gear.

Chris and Carol 2 Comments

Here is a new flash in its original box, Canon Speedlite 244T, that I received from a recent purchase on eBay. The seller has since refunded me, but this serves as a reminder to never leave batteries, especially AA batteries, in your cameras and other accessories. This “new” flash had these Philips batteries installed at some point, but the owner forgot about them. What a shame that an otherwise neat collectible is now ruined.

I’ve seen worse corrosion before, but this is right up there with the worst.
AA batteries in a flash unit can corrode in as little as a few months! These, however, have been left for decades.

Thanks for stopping by, and after reading this, please check your cameras. – 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 © 2015-2025 Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris (Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic), Chris Whelan. All rights reserved.

Canon New F-1. Why not Canon F-2?

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Canon New F-1 Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games Edition.
From Canon:
Instead of being a next-generation successor to the F-1, this camera was called the “New F-1” and not the “F-2.” With the first F-1 in 1971, Canon promised that the camera would remain unchanged for 10 years. This promise was fulfilled. During those ten years, remarkable electronics, precision manufacturing, and optics advances existed. The successor to the top-of-the-line F-1 had to incorporate the best electronic technology for better automation, versatility, and specifications.

The New F-1 uses interchangeable focusing screens to change the metering pattern, and it has a segmented metering element for metering flexibility. System AE is incorporated for automation to ensure optimum operation. The camera’s basic controls are the same as those of the old F-1, so F-1 users can easily adapt to the new F-1.

There are significant differences between the original F-1 and the New F-1. I like them both.
The closest I got to owning the 1976 Montreal Olympic edition was the lens cap. It’s shown here on my F-1 that I purchased new in the summer of 1978 while stationed in Japan.

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 © 2015-2025 Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris (Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic), Chris Whelan. All rights reserved.

Have I crossed a line? (answer below)

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Yes, and then some. An obsession.

As part of my New Year goal setting, I decided to round up my Canon F-1 cameras to do an inventory check and photograph them all together. After editing my pictures, I “found” another unaccounted-for F-1 and a box! Here is the family. On the upper left is my original F-1, which I purchased in Japan in the summer of 1978 (without the motor drive). The others evolved over the years with the green F-1, my latest acquisition (I hope).

There’s one missing, an early model from 1971. I’ll update my pictures soon.
Here is the later 1978 model F-1 that I picked up for a song, and it’s in mint condition, too (missing from the group shot).
I love the early chrome nose lenses.
My earliest F-1. It’s from August 1971 and is in the first batch of 20,000 made. It also has a <E.P> Mark.

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 © 2015-2025 Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris (Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic), Chris Whelan. All rights reserved.

A handsome couple.

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They make a handsome couple, although the classic chrome nose lens isn’t age-appropriate for this camera. The Canon O.D. F-1 is from January 1978, and the lens was produced in May 1971 (a very early batch).
The O.D. (Olive Drab) cameras were a limited edition, with about 3,000 made for the Japanese market (maybe a few sneaked out to Europe, but that hasn’t been confirmed).

I’ve wanted the Olive Drab F-1 for as long as I can remember, and this past year, I finally found one I liked and could afford.
It’s far from mint condition, but since I wanted one I could use and not worry about, this one is perfect.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram https://instagram.com/ccphotographyai

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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 © 2015-2025 Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris (Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic), Chris Whelan. All rights reserved.

Canon O.D. F-1

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Shown with a Sekonic Twinmate L-208 light meter.
This is the set-up I used to compare readings between the F-1’s meter and the Sekonic.

Not very compact but it gets the job done.
O.D. Olive Drab F-1.

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 © 2015-2025 Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris (Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic), Chris Whelan. All rights reserved.

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

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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.
A closer view of the <E.P> Mark.

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

Follow me on Instagram https://instagram.com/ccphotographyai

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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.

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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.

Canon and Contax.
Asahi Pentax, Canon, Yashica, and Nikon.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram https://instagram.com/ccphotographyai

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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.

Canon’s ‘mysterious’ green camera.

Chris 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.

My Canon OD F-1 with my homemade strap.

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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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 cameras in my shop – just in time for Xmas!

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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

Follow me on Instagram https://instagram.com/ccphotographyai

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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.

Canon F-1 ‘Super Set’

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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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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.