Yashica 35 M

June 11, 2023July 11, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

M for mysterious? Maybe not mysterious but missing. It’s not a camera that gets a lot of attention as it was dwarfed by the more popular Minister line. It was one of the first Yashica rangefinder cameras made with a built-in light meter (exposure meter) released at about the same time as the first Minister with the f/2.8 lens.

The exposure meter is located just behind the light gathering window (upper left). That’s what Yashica calls it in the instruction booklet. The meter is a selenium cell that is powered by light so no worries about needing a battery. BTW, the serial number on the booklet camera indicates it was made in January 1960. It’s been reported that the camera was released in June 1960. That’s a big gap even by Yashica’s standards.

The serial number on mine is M2101662 which decodes to October 1962.

The lens is what differentiates this model from the earlier Minister model. The Model M is fitted with a faster Yashinon f/1.9 4.5cm lens and a Copal SVL shutter with speeds from Bulb to 1/500.

In this image, the exposure meter indicates an ‘LVS’ setting of 14 at ASA 200. To set the proper exposure you’d simply turn the outer ring on the lens to match the LVS number and the camera would be properly set (see below).

LVS set to 12 would set the shutter to fire at 1/125 and the aperture at f/5.6.

It’s a fun camera to use as it’s about as old school as you can get. The lens is clean and clear, and the light meter works. It’s available in my camera shop CC Design Studios at http://www.ccstudio2380.com which is hosted by Etsy. 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.

Yashica 44 – Yashica’s first mini-TLR

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

They never called them that back in the day, they were just smaller than a regular TLR. A full-sized TLR shot 6×6 cm images on 120 or 220 roll films. This Yashica shot 4×4 cm images on 127 roll films.

Complete set from 1958. My set even includes a roll of exposed 127 film from the 1960s!

Dove gray leatherette on gray metal. 1958 saw the birth of the Yashica name as the company name. Prior to that, they were known as Yashima.

Tomioka made Yashikor 60mm f/3.5 taking and viewing lenses.

We continue to dive deep into our Yashica collection and are offering this gem for sale in our camera shop CC Design Studios at http://www.ccstudio2380.com. You won’t find a better fully working model of this camera anywhere. Yes, 127 film is available through many online camera and film dealers so here is an opportunity to shoot with this classic.

Includes a very rare sales brochure for this exact model. How neat is that!

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Rare Black Yashica J-3 Set – available!

May 29, 2023May 29, 2023Chris and Carol 2 Comments

As Carol and I continue to downsize our camera collection, we’ve decided the time is right to pass along one of our Yashica J-3s in the limited ‘Pro-black’ finish along with a matching black Auto Yashinon 5cm f/2 lens (made by Tomioka Optical). This black version was made in a limited quantity for a short period in 1963. It was also Yashica’s first black SLR!

Yashica J-3 in ‘Pro-black’ with a matching all-black lens.

These are extremely difficult to find for sale anywhere and the few that have come up for sale are non-working cameras. This one is fully working – even the CdS light meter is active with an LR-44 (A76) 1.5V battery installed. The shutter is accurate and the lens is a gem. The image below was taken using this Yashinon lens mounted with an adapter on my Fujifilm X-T2.

Photographed with the Auto Yashinon 5cm f/2 lens mounted on my Fujifilm X-T2 using a FotodioX M42 to FX adapter. The Yashica lens has 6 elements in 4 groups and was designed and built by Tomioka Optical.

If you’re interested I’ve listed this beautiful camera set in my camera shop which is hosted by Etsy. Visit CC Design Studios at http://www.ccstudio2380.com for more images and details about the camera. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Yashica’s Early 35mm SLRs

May 28, 2023June 4, 2023Chris and Carol 3 Comments

My good friend Paul Sokk from Australia (www.yashicatlr.com) has compiled a great database of almost all of Yashica’s cameras and by decoding serial numbers we’ve been able to come up with a list of manufacturing dates. So, by using these serial numbers here is a general list of when the following models were first and last made.

Penta J Aug 1961 to Aug 1965

Reflex 35 Mar 1962 to Jan 1964

J-3 Nov 1962 to Sep 1964

J-5 Mar 1964 to Jun 1965

J-P Aug 1964 to Sep 1966

J-4 Mar 1965 to Jun 1965

J-7 Nov 1966 to Dec 1967

Yashica’s little oddball model. I believe it was only manufactured to be sold by Montgomery Ward as the Wards SLR 500. For Wards, Yashica fitted it with a Tominon C 5cm f/2 lens vice the lens shown here. A true budget model for around $160 US.

The Pnnta J was the first modern style SLR from Yashica with the universal M42 screw mount for a wide variety of lenses. It was the first model after the Pentamatic S. The J-3 was the first model that had a coupled CdS light meter built into the camera’s left shoulder.

From the 1964 Wards catalog. It’s easy to see that the Wards slr 500 is mostly made from the Yashica J-P with the film advance lever used from the Penta J.

One final note. The serial numbers tell when the camera was produced, not when a camera was released for sale to the public. I believe this list represents the most accurate timeline of these early models from Yashica. Many thanks to Paul for his efforts to compile the most accurate data to date. There is no one better.

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Super HAD CCD Sony – what?

April 24, 2023April 24, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Released in 2005, this Sony is a stunning performer thanks to its ‘Super HAD CCD’ sensor.

What is ‘Super HAD’? Hole-accumulation Diode Technology. As CCD sensors got smaller and resolution increased, Sony placed “on-chip microlenses” directly on top of each pixel on the CCD which have been able to gather and focus more light directly onto the individual pixels. From Sony – “By optimizing the shape of the on-chip microlens we have reduced the invalid area between each individual pixels’ microlens, and therefore have also reduced the amount of incident light lost.” What Sony’s Super HAD Technology means is a signal-to-noise ratio improved by 3 to 4 dB giving a clearer, crisper, and more natural high-quality digital image.

Straight from the camera. At 7.2 megapixels this image is more than acceptable, in fact, I like it over images of the same subject taken with much higher resolution cameras with bigger sensors (including full-frame sensors). To me, it looks like an image taken with a film camera.

Image captured with my Canon EOS R 30 megapixel CMOS mirrorless camera with a Canon RF 70-200 f4L IS USM lens. Admittedly this lens is not known for its close-up abilities so it’s not necessarily the best lens for this test. The lighting had changed by the time I shot this image over the previous image taken with the Sony.

If you’re interested in returning to using a digicam with a CCD sensor then you may find my Sony to be just what you want. I’ve added it to my camera shop CC Design Studios at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

I believe the combination of superior Carl Zeiss optics and Sony’s Super HAD CCD sensor makes this a sleeper in the compact point & shoot digicam market. By the way, when new in 2005 it listed for $399 MSRP. In 2005 dollars that was a pretty expensive camera (even in 2023 that’s expensive).

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Nikon Coolpix P90 – time to pass it along

April 22, 2023April 23, 2023Chris and Carol 4 Comments

As the title implies I’m selling a favorite camera that I’ve used on and off over the years. The Nikon Coolpix P90 12-megapixel bridge camera with a very powerful (and sharp) Nikkor 24x optical zoom lens. It’s served me well and hopefully, someone else will want to give it a new home.

Sharp Nikkor 24x Optical Zoom ED VR lens (26mm to 624mm 35mm equivalent).

King of his rock! ISO 64, f5.6, 1/329, at 59.9mm. Handheld with no post-production. As captured.

Bald cypress early Spring cone. I usually don’t see cones on such a young tree (about 4 years old). Macro setting f3.2 at 4.6mm.

CCD sensors produce film-like images. Again, no post-production.

To get an idea of how powerful the zoom is. These two images were taken at full wide angle and then full telephoto.

The camera can close focus down to within 1 cm of the front lens element!

Amazing 24x Optical Wide-Angle (26-624mm) Zoom-NIKKOR ED Glass Lens – quality optics provide exceptional images. The lens is built on a proud heritage of producing precision camera optics that deliver superb color and razor-sharp results. This amazing lens offers unbeatable compositional freedom with its wide-angle (26mm) to super telephoto coverage (624mm). Sweeping landscapes can be captured as well as zoomed-in close-ups of the action taking place on the baseball or soccer field!

4-Way VR Image Stabilization:

Nikon’s Optical VR Image Stabilization compensates for the effects of camera shake by moving the image sensor. This produces clearer, sharper results in lower lighting or unsteady conditions.
Motion Detection automatically detects moving subjects and adjusts the shutter speed and the ISO setting to compensate for camera shake and subject movement.
High ISO 6400 capability gives you sharper results when shooting in low light or capturing fast-moving subjects. This creates new opportunities to take sharper, more natural-looking photos in lower light conditions. ISO 3200 and 6400 are available at 3MP or lower resolution.
Nikon’s original Best Shot Selector (BSS) automatically takes up to 10 shots while the shutter is pressed and then saves the sharpest image.

Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and Manual Exposure Modes give you ultimate control over your pictures. The D-SLR-type mode dial on the top of the camera provides quick access to greater personal and creative control. Now, you can adjust the camera’s settings for any type of light conditions and get as creative as you want!

Thanks for stopping by and if you’re interested please check it out in my camera shop CC Design Studios at http://www.ccstudio2380.com. Thanks, 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

Nikon One Touch 100 – 1988

March 5, 2023March 5, 2023Chris and Carol 2 Comments

Fun point & shoot 35mm camera from Nikon.

It features a super sharp Nikon 35mm f3.5 lens.

The box has held up well over the years – the One Touch 100 was still made in Japan in 1988.

Nikon One Touch 100 35mm Film Camera
with Nikon 35mm f3.5 Lens

Includes Nikon Box, Instructions,
Nikon Strap, and (2) AA Batteries.

*Film Tested, Working Perfectly!

This is part of the super popular
Nikon One Touch series of
compact point & shoot 35mm
film cameras made by Nikon in the 1980s.
It’s capable of some sharp well exposed images
and excels when using color or black & white films.

Some features are autofocus, autoexposure,
auto flash, auto film loading, auto rewind,
and DX coding (ISO 100, 200, 400, and 1000).
Non-DX film sets to ISO 100.
Locking battery door, lens cover on/off switch,
dual self-timer, 30-second focus memory, fill flash assist,
and tripod socket.

Nikon Lens – 35mm f3.5 4 elements, 3 groups.
2.1 feet to infinity.

It’s available in my camera shop CC Design Studios at http://www.ccstudio2380.com. As always, thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Olympus OM-1 MD

February 28, 2023February 28, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

They don’t get much more classic than this gem – Olympus OM-1 MD with F. Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f1.8 lens. Film tested and working perfectly. What a joy to use! It’s in my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com
Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Film test at the beach – Nikon One Touch (AF3)

February 22, 2023February 22, 2023Chris and Carol 4 Comments

I recently had the opportunity to grab my Nikon One Touch, load a roll of very expired Fujicolor, and hit the beach.

Not the best choice for testing a camera but I wanted to see what this kind of hard-to-find “commercial” film would look like this expired (Feb 2001).

The Nikon leaves a nice bit of the film leader exposed at the end of the roll.

The camera worked perfectly but as hard as the film lab tried, this older Fujicolor film tended to be a bit too green.

Sliders Seaside Grill and Tiki Bar at the beach.

The bird must have read the sign… the guy not so much.

If you don’t have a 4×4 then you shouldn’t go past this sign. AWD doesn’t cut it!

This expired roll of Fujifilm was all I had sitting around so I thought I’d give it a go. As I said, the camera works just fine but that’s the last time I’ll use expired film to test a camera! The Nikon is now available in my shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com – thanks for stopping by, Chris

If you’re interested in this camera I’ve added it to my shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

Yashica cameras and so much more!

Category In the Shop at www.ccstudio2380.com

Yashica 35 M

Yashica 44 – Yashica’s first mini-TLR

Rare Black Yashica J-3 Set – available!

Yashica’s Early 35mm SLRs

Super HAD CCD Sony – what?

Nikon Coolpix P90 – time to pass it along

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

Nikon One Touch 100 – 1988

Olympus OM-1 MD

Film test at the beach – Nikon One Touch (AF3)