A timeless classic from Yashica.

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

Yashica 35

Yashica’s first 35mm camera was made from April 1958 to December 1960.
New evidence indicates that the Yashica 35 had a longer run than previously reported. The first units rolled off the line in April 1958, and the last in December 1960. This camera may be one of the last made – its serial number shows it to be a December 1960 model, which was the 1,150th of that month.
The lens is a Tomioka-made f/1.9, 4.5cm, with a Copal MKV-SV shutter. The build quality and sharpness of the lens are exceptional.

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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.

Petri Penta V – a classic or ugly duckling?

January 18, 2025January 18, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I know Petri has made several different camera models over the years, some of which I absolutely love and others, like this one, that I dislike. Is it a classic, or has it not aged well? It was released in 1969, so at that time, early SLRs weren’t especially stunners compared to the more refined models of the later 1960s. That said, I think the Asahi Pentax H2 from 1959 is one of the best-designed cameras from that era. The Nikon F is a stunning camera, but I dislike removing the base plate to load and unload film.

I admit, it would look better with a lens. Without a lens, it looks like a plumbing fixture.

A previous owner added the leatherette on the pentaprism, hiding the serial number. Does this add to or subtract from the camera’s appearance?

The tripod mount screw is moved forward under the lens mount; otherwise, it’s a simple base plate.

Here are my Asahi Pentax H2 from 1959 and my Yashica Pentamatic ’35’ from 1960 as a comparison.

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Yashica ‘Rookie’ – 1956

January 16, 2025January 16, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Yashicaflex Rookie by Yashima Optical Industry Company, Limited (Yashica by 1958).

It’s rarely seen outside Japan, where it was an inexpensive medium-format 6x6cm 120 film camera. The only item I’m missing is the inner ‘presentation box.’ The outer shipping box is pictured. It was marketed to the first-time camera user as an uncomplicated camera that even a rookie could use.

It’s pictured with its cousin, the Yashica model A.

Yashica cousins. The model A in gray leatherette.

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A little gem from 1959.

January 15, 2025January 15, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Asahi Pentax H2 – 1959
One of my favorite early 35mm SLRs in my collection. It’s as good, if not better, than the Nikon F from the same year.

Camera and Lens: Fujifilm X-T2, Fujinon XF 10-24mm f4 R OIS, Fujifilm Acros Simulation.

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twosday 2 fer

January 14, 2025January 14, 2025Chris and Carol 1 Comment

Yashica’s first rangefinder camera is on the left, and Yashica’s first SLR is on the right.

The Canon EF is a close cousin to the F-1. The EF was released in 1973, and the original F-1 in 1971. This OD F-1 (olive drab) is the only Canon F-1 in a color other than black.

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What a deal!

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

The hyper-rare Zunow 35mm SLR from around 1958.

All kidding aside, this is an extremely rare camera built by Zunow Optical in the late 1950s. Only a few production models made it into the marketplace. Mostly non-working examples exist today and few ever come up for sale.

The Yashica Pentamatic ’35’ looks a bit like it. The Pentamatic was released in early 1960 but was designed in 1959 as a joint venture with Nicca and Yashica’s designers.

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Canon and Nikon Classics

January 11, 2025January 11, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Which camp are you?

Can the Canon be considered a compact camera?

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Friday Fotos! Canon and Fujifilm

January 10, 2025January 10, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Canon NFD 24mm f/2.8 lens. I should have used a yellow or orange filter.

My 1978 Canon F-1 loaded and ready to go on a photo walk.

I got better results using the meter in the F-1 when using a 1.35v Wein Cell.

Canon NFD 24mm f/2.8 lens. A slightly better exposure.

The World-famous Palace Saloon, Fernandina Beach Historic District.

Processing and scans were done by The Darkroom at medium resolution. The images below I used a 625A 1.5v battery which, on average made the camera’s meter two stops off.