Category Chasing Classic Cameras

The Asahi Pentax SL – a gem from the late 1960s

Chris and Carol 7 Comments
The instruction book is hard to find, but I was lucky to find one from a collector in Canada. This one was published in September 1969.
My gorgeous Asahi Pentax SL in the piano-black finish. Shown here with its Super-Takumar f/1.8 55mm lens.
1960s low tech at its finest.
All the bits.

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.

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.

My most popular Instagram pictures of 2024.

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None better… Canon F-1 ‘Super Set’. Canon F-1 body (1978), Canon FD 55mm f1.2 Chrome Nose lens (1972), 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. A tribute to Canon’s designers and engineers.

My second most popular image and post on Instagram.

Canon OD F-1 Olive Drab – JAN 1978 Model
It’s loaded and ready to go. I haven’t used one of my Canon F-1s in a while, and it feels good to hold an old friend again.
Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 SSC Lens
Canon Power Winder F
Fujifilm Acros 100II B&W Film

The Canon F-1 still rules!

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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

Facebook CC Photography of Amelia

Flickr Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

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.

Wish I still owned it. The Kyocera T

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Have you ever regretted selling a camera before you got a chance to use it? I have (many times), and this is one I let get away.

My beautiful set. I didn’t want to take away from its mint-new condition, so I sold it without ever using it.

For a die-hard camera collector like myself, mint new camera sets are the pinnacle of collecting (for me, at least). After the chase is over, the reality of ownership sets in. Should I or should I not use my newly found toy? I have used its camera cousin, the Yashica T2, and found it an exceptional camera.

Here is another set that’s still new in its original box (as fresh as it was from the Nikon distributor back in 1978).

Have you owned a camera set that was essentially new and then never used it? Tell me in the comments. Happy New Year!

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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

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Flickr Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

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.

sneak peek

Chris and Carol 2 Comments
Can you tell just from a view of the back?

I’m finally parting with a gem from my collection. Can you guess which camera it is? More tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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

Facebook CC Photography of Amelia

Flickr Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

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.

Original Canon Canonet – 1961

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The original Canon Canonet 35mm rangefinder camera with a Canon 45mm f/1.9 lens. Based on its serial number, this one is likely from 1962 or 1963. It is the Version 3 with ASA to 400. The selenium cell meter has been working for all these years. The shutter sounds accurate on auto, but the aperture blades need service.

Canonet V3.
The selenium cell meter surrounds the Canon 45mm f/1.9 lens.
Simple lines on a simple camera.
The film advance is on the baseplate.

The Canonet line was hyper-successful for Canon, selling millions throughout its production.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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

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Flickr Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

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

Facebook CC Photography of Amelia

Flickr Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

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.

Another look at my Nicca Flash

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In this post, I asked what ‘B.C.B.’ meant regarding how the flash was powered. It’s widely accepted that ‘B.C.’ is battery capacitor. The last part is speculated to mean battery. I say this because the flash can also be used with just batteries (usually D cells) and doesn’t need a capacitor battery combination. What do you think?

Nicca Flash Unit from around 1953

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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

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Flickr Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

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.

my favorite

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Nicca 3-S with W-Nikkor C 28mm f/3.5 Lens – None nicer!

A classic 35mm rangefinder camera from Nicca. The lens is a Nippon Kogaku Japan W-Nikkor 2.8cm f/3.5 lens with a matching 2.8 optical viewfinder.

My favorite 35mm rangefinder, hands down.

Nicca 3-S distributed by Hinomaruya, Tokyo (1951-1958)
They may have made the Nicca branded lens hood for the Nikkor 50 mm f/2 lens.
Hinomaruya also distributed the Melton camera and Nikkor lenses.

I enjoy this Nicca over my much-heralded Leica IIIg.

Nicca 3-S from c1955.

It’s one of the nicest cameras in my collection.

Do you have a favorite 35mm rangefinder camera? Tell me in the comments. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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

Facebook CC Photography of Amelia

Flickr Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

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.

A nifty little rangefinder from 1958.

Chris 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?

A mid-century gem.
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.