Original Canon Canonet – 1961

December 24, 2024December 24, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

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.

The selenium cell meter surrounds the Canon 45mm f/1.9 lens.

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

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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.

New in my Camera Shop, just in time for holiday gift giving.

December 20, 2024December 20, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

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.

Asahi Pentax, Canon, Yashica, and Nikon.

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my favorite

December 18, 2024December 18, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

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

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A nifty little rangefinder from 1958.

December 16, 2024December 16, 2024Chris 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?

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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Not sure about this one.

December 14, 2024December 14, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

A reader sent me these pictures of his Yashica TL Electro X ITS camera and asked if I knew anything about this version. I hadn’t seen a gold and lizard skin Yashica before (Contax, yes; Yashica, no).

I’ve seen similar lizard skin coverings, but from the image, it’s difficult to tell if it would have been applied at the factory.

The serial number indicates it was made in August 1970.

The plating quality looks sub-par, but it’s pretty worn again, so it’s difficult to tell.

Here is a genuine gold Contax camera with lizard skin coverings that’s presently for sale on an online auction site (see below).

This one is in new condition, so comparing the two cameras is difficult. Yashica joined Contax in 1975 to create a new line of modern Contax-branded cameras.

I suppose Yashica or one of its distributors might have made this gold TL Electro X version, but if they did, they left off the ‘ITS’ logo (badge) that would have been on the camera’s front just to the left of the lens. See an example of a genuine TL Electro X ITS camera below.

What do you think? Genuine or not? Ultimately, it’s his camera, and if he likes it, then great. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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Contax 137 MD Quartz and a lizard.

December 14, 2024December 14, 2024Chris and Carol 2 Comments

Not a lizard per se, but ‘lizard skin.’ I don’t usually collect cameras covered with anything but factory-applied black leatherette, but I fell hard for this beautiful model from Contax.

Contax 50th Anniversary model (1932-1982).

The 137-MD Quartz is a compact camera, even with its built-in motor drive (which is more like a power winder).

I love the simple, clean lines, and the unique lizard skins set it off.

If you’re looking for a unique camera to add to your collection, this model of the Contax 137-MD Quartz is worth the chase. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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In the display cabinet (at the moment).

December 13, 2024December 13, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

My Yashica Pentamatic collection. The Pentamatic ’35’, Pentamatic II, and the Pentamatic S. Also, the Yashica Penta J and a couple of Yashica Sailor Boys.

Nikon F2A, Nicca 3-S, Contax 137 MD Quartz, and a Yashica FX-D Quartz.

Nikon FT, Leica IIIg (awaiting new skins), and a Nikon FTn Photomic ‘Apollo’. In the back, a Yashica YT-300 radio.

At the bottom are a Contax RX, Asahi Pentax H2, Yashica Flex S, and a Contax RTS.

‘GAS’, Gear Acquisition Syndrome. I do love collecting and occasionally using my classic film cameras. I lean towards Yashica and Contax, although more than a few Nikons have snuck in. By the way, these are Ikea cabinets. They offer high-quality metal and glass display cabinets at a great price. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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New cameras in my shop – just in time for Xmas!

December 10, 2024December 10, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I have a few camera sets from my extensive collection just in time for the holiday gift-giving season. Some of these cameras, along with their original boxes, are rare in their mint and new condition. I’ve serviced each one and thoroughly tested them with film where necessary. My Etsy shop is at http://www.ccstudio2380.com.

Classic Canon A-1 with a Canon NFD 50mm f/1.8 lens and limited edition 1980 Winter Olympics Lake Placid lens cap.

A Canon FT QL 35mm SLR. This was released just before the Canon F-1 was released in the summer of 1971. The FT is built like a tank and will probably outlast us all.

A favorite! The 1994 Contax RX is pretty close to the perfect film camera. Add a Contax Carl Zeiss T* lens, and you have photographic excellence.

Attention Pentax fans. This is an Asahi Pentax SL from around 1968. It is in perfect condition inside and out and fully serviced. It is ready for film and ready for your next photo walk.

Rare, rare, and more rare. From 1978, a completely new and never used Nikon F2A with its original box and certified Nikon USA 25th Anniversary Edition.

Canon’s Black Beauty is a close cousin to the famous Canon F-1 but with some significant differences. In addition to a fully manual mode, it can shoot automatically in shutter priority mode. You select the shutter speed, and the camera sets the proper aperture. It can electronically time the shutter to up to a 30-second exposure. It’s one of Canon’s best designs from the mid-1970s.

This is a rare Nikon blue canvas messenger bag. It was released in limited quantities as a promotional item around the same time as the F2A and F2AS in the late 1970s. It’s new and never used, making it a perfect gift for a Nikon collector.

Thanks for stopping by and allowing me to shamelessly promote my camera shop! – Chris

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single frame

December 9, 2024December 9, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

The Nassau County (Florida) Courthouse, our own clock tower.

The Nassau County Courthouse, also known as the Old Nassau County Courthouse and the Historic Nassau County Courthouse, is a historic two-story red brick courthouse located at 416 Centre Street in Fernandina Beach, Nassau County, Florida. Designed in the Classical Revival style, it was built in 1891 and features cast-iron Corinthian columns, a massive bell tower, and a steeple. Meneely and Co. of West Troy, New York, cast the bell for the tower, which was used as a fire alarm for many years.

Contax RX
Contax Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5 Lens
Fujifilm Neopan Professional Acros 100II Film
Straight scans from The Darkroom – no editing. I couldn’t be happier with the results.
Fernandina Beach (Florida) Historic District

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