Category Classic Film Cameras

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

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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.

A couple of Marys

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My mom and her bestie, c1940 or 1941.

My mom, Mary (R), and her best friend, Mary.
Kodak Senior Six-20. Her camera.

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

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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.

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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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.

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.

Olympus-35 SP

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Many considered it a nearly perfect 35mm rangefinder camera when it was released in 1969. Does it have a few quirks that I don’t like? Sure, but the positives outweigh the negatives when used as an automatic exposure (AE) or electronic exposure (EE) camera. Simply compose, focus, and capture the light. Here is my SP.

It’s one of the best 35mm rangefinders in my collection.
Simple and clean lines.
ASA dial is on the camera’s left side.
Hold the ‘Spot’ button while pressing the shutter to properly expose a subject when it’s backlit.
The lens. At the heart of this exceptional camera is this fast and sharp G. Zuiko f/1.7 42mm lens. The ‘G’ indicates that the lens has 7 elements.
I find the camera is straightforward to load. It opens nice and wide.
The camera looks new except for a scratch in the chrome around the tripod socket.
Brochure from around 1970.
Sales guide.

As I downsize my collection of classic cameras it’s this beautiful Olympus’ turn to be passed along to another collector. It’s in my camera shop on Etsy at http://www.ccstudio2380.com.

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.

sneak peek

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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

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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.

Yashica Mat-124: A classic 6×6 twin-lens reflex camera from the late 1960s.

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The Yashica Mat-124 is an exceptional camera that does everything you’d expect from a well-designed, light-catching machine. The first units rolled off the assembly line in the summer of 1967, and the last just three years later in 1970. It was the last TLR Yashica made just before releasing its replacement, the Mat-124G. The 124G had lots of plastic parts and, for the first time, came in primarily all-black. The 124G had a long run that ended in 1986. Here is my Mat-124.

The built-in CdS light meter is activated by opening the viewing hood. The camera uses a 1.35v PX625 mercury replacement battery like the popular Wein Cell.
It features dual Yashinon lenses. The taking lens (bottom) is 80mm f/3.5, while the viewing lens (upper) is 80mm f/2.8. The fast f/2.8 viewing lens makes for a bright image in the viewing hood, which makes it easier to compose and focus an image.
The crank on the camera’s right side advances the film and cocks the shutter.
The focus knob is on the left side, as is the battery compartment and cold shoe.
On the bottom, a large knob is how you gain entry into the film chamber.
The Mat-124 uses either 12-exposure 120 films or 24-exposure 220 films. The back of the taking lens can be seen on the far right in this image.
Looking down at the match needle light meter.
This gem of a camera is available for purchase in my Etsy camera shop 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.

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

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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.