Early Nikon F and Nikon S4

October 30, 2025October 30, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

From well-known Australian photographer and camera collector Bruce Thomas, used by permission.
Both cameras are marked with a ‘T’ on their rewind knobs, indicating Nikon’s approach to identifying tax-exempt or duty-free cameras sold in Japan in the early 1960s. Not to be confused with the more common ‘EP’ mark, which appeared across all camera brands in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and even a few from Canon in the early 1980s.

Nikon S4 top and Nikon F below. The ‘T’ mark appeared in 1960 on some Nikon cameras sold in Japan and possibly in Hong Kong, though there hasn’t been hard evidence yet.

The Nikon F was developed from the Nikon SP rangefinder camera from 1957. It’s easy to spot the similarities between the S4 and F. Finding a mint condition SP today is quite expensive, but there are “plenty” on online auction sites.

A translated Japanese document from Nikon.

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Comments are always welcome; I’ve learned a great deal from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by. While there, visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios, hosted on 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.

wordless wednesday

October 22, 2025October 22, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

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Superstars of the 1970s (and beyond)

October 20, 2025October 20, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

These two from the mid-1970s are not often seen together. The RTS was released in 1975, and I purchased this F-1 in 1978. I considered buying the RTS instead of the F-1, but the representative from Canon at the Navy Exchange store in Yokohama convinced me the F-1 was better, and at the time, a bit less expensive than the Contax. Many years later, I was able to get the RTS, and I added the PMD W-6 as a bonus. The Canon handles better due to its larger rubberized grip, but the RTS is a bit more sporty (designed by Porsche). I use them both. The Contax can eat through film at 5 fps vs. the Canon’s 3.5 fps.

The Canon’s drive is much larger, but the Contax is faster.

Designed to excel in sports and unmanned photography.

I find the large rubberized grip on the Canon to be easy to hold, and the extra-wide base kept the camera stable on a table.

The Contax is super slick; the drive almost disappears into the camera’s body. Conversely, the smaller footprint means the camera is not as stable on a table.

The grip on the Canon is removable, which opens up additional possibilities and accessories..

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1959 Nikon F Blueprint

October 20, 2025October 20, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

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Happy SUNday! – Nikon F

October 12, 2025October 12, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Classic Nikon. This is the last Nikon F in my collection. I enjoy using and collecting the early Nippon Kogaku logo bodies and, of course, a Nikkor-S Auto 50mm f1.4 lens. The camera was built in mid to late 1964. The lens is from 1965. I like it when it all comes together.

It was first released in 1959. This one is from 1964.

The reputation of the Nikkor-S Auto 50mm f1.4 lens is world-renowned.

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eye candy – Nikon F from 1964

October 7, 2025October 7, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I enjoy collecting the early Nippon Kogaku models with the ‘Fuji’ logo.

Can it get any more recognizable than this?

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hi-speed film-eaters

September 27, 2025September 27, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

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I have another Canon Macrolite available from my collection.

September 20, 2025September 20, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Canon Macrolite ML-1… 1970s Tech

Hi all! I have my last Canon Macrolite ML-1 electronic flash from my collection for sale. This one is the latest version from 1985. It will work perfectly with the Canon New F-1 as well as any of the earlier A-Series cameras. It’s in my Etsy camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

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A classic Asahi-Takumar lens from 1958.

September 19, 2025September 19, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

My Asahi-Takumar 135mm f/3.5 lens set is shown with my Asahi Pentax 35mm SLR from 1957. The lens is from 1958. The lens is listed at 300 grams or 10.5 oz. My lens weighs 326 grams. There must be an error in the original weight, or my lens was modified by the factory after the first lenses were made.

It’s one of the first auxiliary lenses made for their new 35mm SLR camera.

Asahi Optical Company’s first 35mm SLR with a pentaprism. This model was released in May 1957, and the lens followed shortly after in 1958.

A snip from the instruction guide. This lens is the closest to mine in design.

The earliest lens design had two chrome aperture rings.

It’s shown here mounted to my Fuji X-T2 via an adapter.

A test image. The equivalent focal length is about 200mm when used on a 1.5x crop sensor camera, such as the Fuji.

There may be some light haze or cloudiness inside one of the lens elements, as this shot lacks contrast.

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Satur-YAY!

September 13, 2025October 8, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Classic Gems!

The Canonflex was released in May 1959. It was Canon’s first 35mm SLR. The Yashica Pentamatic was Yashica’s first 35mm SLR, and it was released in March 1960. It was designed with the help of the recently acquired Nicca Camera Company in 1958. It’s safe to say that without Nicca’s help after the acquisition, the Pentamatic wouldn’t have come to market when it did.

Likely two cameras many have never seen.