Black Beauty from Yashica

May 24, 2023May 24, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

The Yashica J-3 was the first numbered model of the ‘J’ Series of cameras and was released in late 1962. The black version was never mentioned in any brochure that I own or have seen either in English or Japanese. A small number were made but finding a mint and working model is quite difficult – but worth the chase!

J-3 in all black and classic silvered chrome.

Studio Camera – Fujifilm X-T2

Lens – Yashica Auto Yashinon 5cm f/2 (the original lens for the J-3)

Adapter – FotodioX M42-FX

Film Simulation – (Top) Acros, (Bottom) Velvia Vivid

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

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.

Canon F-1 from 1978

May 11, 2023May 11, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Here is my original F-1 from 1978 purchased new at the Navy Exchange in Yokohama, Japan. I later added the Motor Drive MF and the Canon FD 55mm f1.2 lens.

Photographed – Fujifilm X-T2 with Fujinon XF 18-55mm f2.8-4 R LM OIS zoom lens at f10, 1/8 at ISO 800

Lighting – Single 4-foot LED set at 4000K placed directly overhead.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Another Nikon ‘Plastic Fantastic’ – One Touch 200

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

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris –
Another neat Nikon from my collection. The Nikon One Touch 200 is a plastic fantastic from 1991 with a sharp Nikon 35mm lens and smart flash capabilities. It focuses from 2.1 feet to infinity (and beyond). This one is still new in the box and one of the last Nikons of this type to be ‘Made in Japan’. It’s available in my online camera shop CC Design Studios at www.ccstudio2380.com

The Nikon One Touch 200 features a sharp glass Nikon 35mm f3.5 lens (3 elements/3 groups).

It’s not often that you can still find a new camera from 1991.

I have a few other Nikons from my collection in my shop right now – check them out at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Nikon N6006 35mm SLR with AF Nikkor zoom lens.

Nikon One Touch Zoom 90 35mm compact point & shoot with a sharp zoom lens.

Nikon One Touch 100 35mm point & shoot camera set.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Yashica LM – 1957

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

An old favorite of mine. This one was made by the good folks at the Yashima factory in Shimosuwa, Nagano Prefecture, Japan in about mid-1957. The serial number, 119xxx puts it in the early first stages after a slight upgrade to the original design from late 1956. This one has a built-in exposure meter on the camera’s left side and the “light gathering window” is located under the nameplate. The shutter and focus are spot on and the meter appears accurate.

These images were taken using my new overhead studio light and my Fujifilm X-T2. Simple setup with excellent results. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Super HAD CCD Sony – what?

April 24, 2023April 24, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Released in 2005, this Sony is a stunning performer thanks to its ‘Super HAD CCD’ sensor.

What is ‘Super HAD’? Hole-accumulation Diode Technology. As CCD sensors got smaller and resolution increased, Sony placed “on-chip microlenses” directly on top of each pixel on the CCD which have been able to gather and focus more light directly onto the individual pixels. From Sony – “By optimizing the shape of the on-chip microlens we have reduced the invalid area between each individual pixels’ microlens, and therefore have also reduced the amount of incident light lost.” What Sony’s Super HAD Technology means is a signal-to-noise ratio improved by 3 to 4 dB giving a clearer, crisper, and more natural high-quality digital image.

Straight from the camera. At 7.2 megapixels this image is more than acceptable, in fact, I like it over images of the same subject taken with much higher resolution cameras with bigger sensors (including full-frame sensors). To me, it looks like an image taken with a film camera.

Image captured with my Canon EOS R 30 megapixel CMOS mirrorless camera with a Canon RF 70-200 f4L IS USM lens. Admittedly this lens is not known for its close-up abilities so it’s not necessarily the best lens for this test. The lighting had changed by the time I shot this image over the previous image taken with the Sony.

If you’re interested in returning to using a digicam with a CCD sensor then you may find my Sony to be just what you want. I’ve added it to my camera shop CC Design Studios at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

I believe the combination of superior Carl Zeiss optics and Sony’s Super HAD CCD sensor makes this a sleeper in the compact point & shoot digicam market. By the way, when new in 2005 it listed for $399 MSRP. In 2005 dollars that was a pretty expensive camera (even in 2023 that’s expensive).

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Nikon Coolpix P90 – time to pass it along

April 22, 2023April 23, 2023Chris and Carol 4 Comments

As the title implies I’m selling a favorite camera that I’ve used on and off over the years. The Nikon Coolpix P90 12-megapixel bridge camera with a very powerful (and sharp) Nikkor 24x optical zoom lens. It’s served me well and hopefully, someone else will want to give it a new home.

Sharp Nikkor 24x Optical Zoom ED VR lens (26mm to 624mm 35mm equivalent).

King of his rock! ISO 64, f5.6, 1/329, at 59.9mm. Handheld with no post-production. As captured.

Bald cypress early Spring cone. I usually don’t see cones on such a young tree (about 4 years old). Macro setting f3.2 at 4.6mm.

CCD sensors produce film-like images. Again, no post-production.

To get an idea of how powerful the zoom is. These two images were taken at full wide angle and then full telephoto.

The camera can close focus down to within 1 cm of the front lens element!

Amazing 24x Optical Wide-Angle (26-624mm) Zoom-NIKKOR ED Glass Lens – quality optics provide exceptional images. The lens is built on a proud heritage of producing precision camera optics that deliver superb color and razor-sharp results. This amazing lens offers unbeatable compositional freedom with its wide-angle (26mm) to super telephoto coverage (624mm). Sweeping landscapes can be captured as well as zoomed-in close-ups of the action taking place on the baseball or soccer field!

4-Way VR Image Stabilization:

Nikon’s Optical VR Image Stabilization compensates for the effects of camera shake by moving the image sensor. This produces clearer, sharper results in lower lighting or unsteady conditions.
Motion Detection automatically detects moving subjects and adjusts the shutter speed and the ISO setting to compensate for camera shake and subject movement.
High ISO 6400 capability gives you sharper results when shooting in low light or capturing fast-moving subjects. This creates new opportunities to take sharper, more natural-looking photos in lower light conditions. ISO 3200 and 6400 are available at 3MP or lower resolution.
Nikon’s original Best Shot Selector (BSS) automatically takes up to 10 shots while the shutter is pressed and then saves the sharpest image.

Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and Manual Exposure Modes give you ultimate control over your pictures. The D-SLR-type mode dial on the top of the camera provides quick access to greater personal and creative control. Now, you can adjust the camera’s settings for any type of light conditions and get as creative as you want!

Thanks for stopping by and if you’re interested please check it out in my camera shop CC Design Studios at http://www.ccstudio2380.com. Thanks, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Return To: Pentax Auto 110 — Camera Go Camera

April 18, 2023Chris and Carol 2 Comments

As you know, I sometimes peruse Facebook Marketplace for cheap deals. For the most part I can resist the things I see, but a few weeks ago I saw a very cheap Pentax Auto 100 on offer. I have already tried one, but this was too cheap to pass by. The seller said it looked […]
Return To: Pentax Auto 110 — Camera Go Camera

If you haven’t heard about Peggy’s blog you’re missing out on a pretty good thing. Hopefully, my link to her site works.

Not always as they appear…

April 16, 2023April 16, 2023Chris and Carol 3 Comments

I recently took delivery of what appeared to be a well-kept Canon A-1 35mm SLR from 1983. It was reported by the seller as in good condition but untested. The lens was specifically listed as clean and clear. As you can see from the pictures the lens is far from “clean and clear”.

It looks great and from my experience with this model when they look this good they generally have no issues.

Canon NFD 50mm f1.8 lens as seen from behind. BTW, the date code (Y1116) to the right of the red dot indicates that this lens was made in November 1984.

Opening the aperture blades to f1.8 and shining a bright LED light reveals the hidden issues with the lens – haze and overall edge cloudiness.

I knew the camera was untested (I asked the seller and they said that they didn’t have a battery) so I knew that going in. BTW, the 6v A544 batteries that power the A-1 are quite common and available in stores and online. After checking out the camera with a fresh battery I discovered that the light meter display wasn’t working. The shutter speeds sounded accurate but without knowing if the meter was responding I wouldn’t have been able to trust the camera in full auto mode. The camera also had the infamous Canon “squeal” that happens whenever the mirror assembly’s lubrication dries out over time and from sitting unused for long periods. The squeal is not caused by the shutter as some people believe.

Obviously looks can and often are deceiving and in this case, I could have taken a hit. Fortunately, I was able to return the camera. At this moment I’m waiting to receive my refund.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Happy SUNday! – Mamiya TLRs

April 16, 2023April 16, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

A few snips from a Mamiya brochure dated June 1985. If you’ve ever considered getting into medium-format photography then I highly recommend checking out the cameras offered by Mamiya – my personal favorite is the Mamiya C33.

Although I’m a big fan of Yashica’s TLRs they lack the one thing that the Mamiyas can do – interchangeable lenses!

The C220 is the slightly less expensive cousin to the very capable C330.

Great shot! So 1980s! I love the Honda motorcycle thrown in for detail and depth.

Often the C220 can be found for far less than the C330 making it the better choice. However, a well-maintained Yashica EM or Yashica D can deliver medium-format photographers a better value over the bigger and generally more expensive Mamiyas.

My Mamiya C33. It’s built like a tank and weighs only slightly less (just kidding). Don’t overlook this model when chasing a solid medium-format (6×6 cm) film camera (also known as 2 1/4 x 2 1/4) that uses 120 roll films. This one was made in June 1969.

Shown with Mamiya-Sekor f3.5 105mm lenses. Seiko shutter up to 1/500th of a second. Unique bellows for a TLR, the 105mm lens had a close focus of about 16 inches with the bellows fully extended.

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

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai