The Curious Case of the Yashica ‘Olympic’* Camera

April 16, 2018April 16, 2018Chris and Carol Leave a comment

No, not those* Olympics.

New to us, this neat little Yashica L AF 35mm compact point and shoot film camera is from 1986 and sports an Olympic theme. In all the years that Carol and I have collected Yashica cameras we’ve never run across a Yashica that featured a logo not directly related to Yashica – until now.

We’re big fans of the L AF and we’ve reviewed it before. Field Test of the L AF

We haven’t been able to find anything that relates to this logo – no other Yashica-Kyocera camera has one. And what exactly is “Camera America”? It looks like (somewhat) an official Olympic logo but without the 5 rings. Did Yashica-Kyocera invent it purely for a marketing campaign? The timing is off as the previous Olympics were held in Los Angeles in 1984 and the next wasn’t scheduled until 1988. Releasing an Olympic camera in 1986 just doesn’t make sense.

The colors and fonts match in our opinion (see below) – the reds and golds match so it most likely was applied by the factory. As was typical with Yashica and Kyocera, no documentation exists for a “Camera America” version of anything nevermind an “Olympic Edition”.

As we’ve said before the Yashica-Kyocera L AF is a low priced version of the more recognizable T* series of 35mm compacts and is a great camera for the money. If you run across one in working condition, by all means, give it a try.

This one is a tad beat up and it hasn’t been tested yet but we expect it to do well. Once we squeeze some time out of our busy schedule we’ll have a go at it.

By the way, here’s a clip from the instruction booklet for the L AF – more than likely the date depicted matches the release date of the camera (or pretty close to it).

yashica l af booklet

A sticky 1986 Yashica-Kyocera case for the L AF

Our first Yashica-Kyocera L AF

The image was taken with the L AF on Fujicolor film

The much more expensive version

Thanks for your visit. Have you ever seen an Olympic Yashica? Please share your comments if you have!

Chris and Carol ^.^

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris.

Yashica Pentamatic S Sales Brochure

March 27, 2018March 27, 2018Chris and Carol Leave a comment

As was typical with Yashica sales material, this brochure is undated. Our best guess would put it around late 1961. It’s fairly complete with all of the major accessories and lenses that were available for the Pentamatic line of cameras – the original Pentamatic ’35’, the Pentamatic II, and the final camera the Pentamatic S.

The Pentamatic S was available in the US but received only limited press – few advertisements and only 3 different brochures in English are known to exist.

The Pentamatic S was made starting in August 1961. By that time, the Pentamatic family of cameras were starting to show their age and lack of sophistication and were already having trouble in the world marketplace.

The Pentamatic is a well-made camera but was lacking in some important basics that were addressed with the S. Adding a coupled exposure meter and a self-timer were but a few steps Yashica took to make the camera more competitive. The original lens for the Pentamatic ’35’ was made by Tomioka Optical and the S went back to using it. The middle camera (Pentamatic II) was only released in Japan and was equipped with a Zunow made 5.8cm f1.7 lens.

The first known advertisement for the new Pentamatic – Spring 1960. Take notice that the lens serial number 59100581 is very close to the serial number on the lens in this late 1961 brochure (59100521). The Yashica marketing team must have held onto some of the first lenses made for them by Tomioka.

Thanks for stopping by! If you want to add a truly unique camera to your collection take a look at the Yashica Pentamatic S – if you can find a nice, clean working model go for it!

Please check out our online shop at https://www.ccstudio2380.com for some neat vintage cameras and some brand new modern classics!

Chris

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris.

Stamens – as seen by Fujifilm and Vivitar

March 16, 2018March 16, 2018Chris and Carol 2 Comments

Azalea stamens in the bright Florida sunlight.

As taken. No post-production of the image.

Camera: Fujifilm X-A10 with Vivitar 70-150mm f3.8 close focusing auto zoom lens using Fotodiox Pro FD-FX adapter.

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This manual focus lens is from 1976 and is in excellent condition inside and out. Some of its most impressive features are the 15 elements in 10 groups, f3.8 to f22 aperture range, multicoated lens surfaces, and 16 inches minimum focusing distance at close focusing setting.

Length 112mm

Weight 550g

Mount Canon FD breech mount

This compact lens impresses with its ease of use and remarkable clarity and contrast. It’s relatively fast at f3.8. With the proper adapter for hybrid digital photography, it’s a clear winner.

Thanks for stopping by! This lens is available for purchase at https://www.ccstudio2380.com

C&C ^.^

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris.

Classic Canon EF from 1977 – Sold!

March 5, 2018March 6, 2018Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Our lovely Canon EF is no longer available – thanks for looking!

This is one of our all-time favorite Canon cameras to use – the Canon EF 35mm SLR film camera. This beauty has just the right amount of brassing to add to its charm. It’s been fully checked out by us and everything works just as it should. The meter is spot on and despite the brassing (missing paint on the top plate) and some scratches on the bottom plate, the factory black retains its original satin luster.

It’s available for purchase direct from our collection here on our blog or it’s available in our online shop at https://www.ccstudio2380.com

Canon EF 35mm Film Camera

Fully checked out classic Canon EF with (2) new Energizer 1.5v batteries, Canon FD 50mm f1.8 SC lens, an expired roll of Fujicolor film, the original Canon body cap, and the Canon rear lens cap. This camera is guaranteed to be in super clean, fully working condition right out of the box. Add it to your collection or start shooting 35mm film again. It's a one owner camera that's ready for your next assignment. Visit our store for additional pictures of this Canon. The $175 includes FREE SHIPPING to the USA with insurance and tracking.

$175.00

Happy SUNday!

March 4, 2018March 4, 2018Chris and Carol Leave a comment

The view through a Canon EF viewfinder.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

C&C ^.^

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris.

Showin’ Some Brass

March 1, 2018March 1, 2018Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Canon EF – 1977

Well used but well cared for – showin’ some brass and lookin’ good.

Classic Canon from the ’70s. In perfect operating condition. Canon cousin to the F-1.

Thanks for taking a peek!

C&C ^.^

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris.

A Face in a Crowd – WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge

February 22, 2018February 22, 2018Chris and Carol 6 Comments

We went deep into our archives for these two images in response to this week’s challenge – A Face in a Crowd –

Taken along a typical busy shopping street in Sugita, Japan (just south of Yokohama) in the late 1970s. If you look closely you can see the faces of at least two women inside looking out.

One of our favorite images from our time living in Japan in the late 1970s. The face of the bus driver is clearly seen as he is busy checking me out in his rearview mirror.

Hope you enjoyed our contribution to this week’s challenge. Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to visit our online shop at https://www.ccstudio2380.com

C&C ^.^

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris.

Quick Peek – Nikkormat FT3

February 14, 2018February 14, 2018Chris and Carol Leave a comment

A new arrival in our already overstuffed camera bag – from 1977, Nikon’s Nikkormat FT3

More about this interesting camera soon.

Chris

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris.

Fujifilm Instax Wide 300

February 10, 2018February 10, 2018Chris and Carol Leave a comment

If you’re not familiar with this exceptional camera, here’s a chance to explore some of its capabilities. We highly recommend you adding this camera to your collection of shooters.

instax site

instax WIDE 300

Compare

Wide format photography is fun when people get together

Wide format instax photos

This large film is well suited to photography at parties and other gatherings. Everybody’s facial expressions are clearly shown.

Close-up lens for shots up to 40 cm from the subject

The accompanying close-up lens expands the range of photo shooting.

Many easy-to-use functions

“Automatic flash for low-light shooting” optimizes the luminescence in accordance with the distance.
Use backlighting to enhance your photos thanks to the “Fill-in flash by flash-on button.”
“Exposure compensation (Lighten-Darken Control)” enables you to get just the right mood.

Improved ease of use as a camera

Various ways to enjoy instax wide prints

A sample gallery –

The camera and the Instax film really shine when used outdoors under full sunlight. Focus on infinity and hold the camera very still. I believe the ISO of the film is 800.

Also available is Instax Wide Monochrome film at the same ISO.

Thanks for stopping by!

Chris

Yashica Man

February 6, 2018February 6, 2018Chris and Carol Leave a comment

yulee and ps

Yashica Pentamatic S and Mr. David Yulee – downtown Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island – Florida

Chris

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris.

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

Yashica cameras and so much more!

Category Classic Film Cameras

The Curious Case of the Yashica ‘Olympic’* Camera

No, not those* Olympics.

Yashica Pentamatic S Sales Brochure

Stamens – as seen by Fujifilm and Vivitar

Classic Canon EF from 1977 – Sold!

Happy SUNday!

Showin’ Some Brass

A Face in a Crowd – WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge

Quick Peek – Nikkormat FT3

Fujifilm Instax Wide 300

instax WIDE 300

Wide format photography is fun when people get together

Wide format instax photos

Close-up lens for shots up to 40 cm from the subject

Many easy-to-use functions

Improved ease of use as a camera

Various ways to enjoy instax wide prints

Yashica Man

*No, not those Olympics.

instax WIDE 300

Wide format photography is fun when people get together

Wide format instax photos

Close-up lens for shots up to 40 cm from the subject

Many easy-to-use functions

Improved ease of use as a camera

Various ways to enjoy instax wide prints

No, not those* Olympics.