wordless wednesday

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

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.

Happy SUNday! – Mamiya TLRs

April 16, 2023April 16, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

A few snips from a Mamiya brochure dated June 1985. If you’ve ever considered getting into medium-format photography then I highly recommend checking out the cameras offered by Mamiya – my personal favorite is the Mamiya C33.

Although I’m a big fan of Yashica’s TLRs they lack the one thing that the Mamiyas can do – interchangeable lenses!

The C220 is the slightly less expensive cousin to the very capable C330.

Great shot! So 1980s! I love the Honda motorcycle thrown in for detail and depth.

Often the C220 can be found for far less than the C330 making it the better choice. However, a well-maintained Yashica EM or Yashica D can deliver medium-format photographers a better value over the bigger and generally more expensive Mamiyas.

My Mamiya C33. It’s built like a tank and weighs only slightly less (just kidding). Don’t overlook this model when chasing a solid medium-format (6×6 cm) film camera (also known as 2 1/4 x 2 1/4) that uses 120 roll films. This one was made in June 1969.

Shown with Mamiya-Sekor f3.5 105mm lenses. Seiko shutter up to 1/500th of a second. Unique bellows for a TLR, the 105mm lens had a close focus of about 16 inches with the bellows fully extended.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! – Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Happy SUNday! – another addition to the trove of Yashica collectibles

April 9, 2023April 9, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

As received from a collector in Singapore. He’ll get a bit of cleaning soon although he’s not that grungy now.

This was a dealer display model – about 8 inches tall. The green shoe version was not as common as the red shoe variety. Not sure why some were made with green shoes… preferred dealer? The green shoe guys also had a slightly different eyelash style, little to no red on the cheeks, and a star painted on the left eye vice a white dot.
Made in Japan by Modern Plastics in 1962

My original dealer display model with the more common red shoes. The Yashica sticker on his hat alternates from ‘YASHICA’ and ヤシア (Yashica in katakana) to nothing.

The 4-inch version is shown here with ‘YASHICA’ in katakana characters.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! – Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Happy SUNday! – the new kid on the block

April 2, 2023April 2, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I’ve been searching for this version (with ‘Yashica’ written in katakana ヤシカ on his hat) of Yashica’s advertising figurine for quite some time I finally came across one the other day on eBay. The original ‘mascots’ were made in Japan by Modern plastics in 1962 and were made in many versions from large dealer-sized display models all the way down to this 10 cm guy.

Before. After 60-plus years he’d become a bit grungy.

Better. After a good scrub, he’s looking a bit more presentable.

Although the figurine cleaned up nicely I haven’t been able to get the edges of the sticker on his hat to come clean. I’m reluctant to go at it for fear of dislodging the sticker or removing some of the colors.

Large 30 cm dealer display model that was found still new in the factory box. The larger models had slightly different eyelash designs.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Happy SUNday! – rare Pokemon Center New York baseball cap

March 19, 2023March 19, 2023Chris and Carol 2 Comments

It’s down to the final 12 hours of bidding on my rare Pokemon baseball cap on eBay (item # 285182215981). We purchased the cap at the Pokemon Center New York in the Summer of 2002 which was soon after the store opened in the heart of the City. It’s time to pass it along.

It was made in a limited number and few have survived twenty years on.

Port and Company is a maker of limited-run hats with unique designs.

If you’re a fan of anything from the early days of the Pokemon Center New York than this is for you. Very few hats ever come up for sale at auction. Check out my eBay store if you’re interested or just curious.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Happy SUNday! – another super nice Canon AE-1 Program

March 12, 2023March 12, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

They’ve always been a favorite of mine for their versatility, design, and functionality. The Canon AE-1 Program is an interesting A Series camera that’s kind of a Canon A-1 “Lite”. I’ve put together this wonderful set for you – a film-tested, super-clean AE-1 Program.

I’ve added another super nice Canon AE-1 Program camera to my shop. This one is from 1981. It’s been fully film tested, is as clean as new, and the Canon NFD 50mm f1.8 lens is clear, clean, and sharp. The Fujicolor film is fresh (10/2024), I’ve installed a new battery, and the instruction booklet is complete and in mint condition. It’s ready to shoot right out of the box – guaranteed. Check out my shop CC Design Studios at http://www.ccstudio2380.com
Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Happy SUNday! – 50

February 26, 2023February 26, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Random images from long ago. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Happy SUNday!

February 12, 2023February 12, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Nikon advertisement from around 1983.

It’s a fun (and easy) camera to use and gives excellent results. There are two versions of the original shown here – an ISO 400 and an ISO 1000 version. The two versions look exactly the same it’s the ISO dial above the lens that’s different (this is actually the ISO 1000 version just set at 400). Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Happy SUNday! – Kodak EasyShare Digital Camera

February 5, 2023February 5, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Twenty years ago this was easy technology for the masses and today it’s a fun throwback camera to use that produces “film-look” images from its tiny CCD sensor.

These “vintage” digital cameras are fun to use and often create surprising images. This camera has 8 GB internal storage or insert an optional SD card to record stills and movies. It’s available in my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com – Thanks, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Happy SUNday!

January 29, 2023January 29, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Testing my Nikon L35AF compact point & shoot 35mm film camera. – 1983

All of these images were taken using Fujicolor Superia X-TRA 400 color negative film.

Nassau County (Florida) Courthouse – 1891

Post office building as seen from across Centre Street, Historic District, Fernandina Beach.

F-4U Corsair reproduction, Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport terminal.

If you are unfamiliar with the Nikon L35AF, it was released in 1983 and was Nikon’s first autofocus point & shoot camera. It features a sharp 35mm f2.8 Nikon lens.