Fresh from the garden – Konica Tomato!

November 8, 2022November 8, 2022Chris and Carol 3 Comments

We love collecting cameras that we perceive as “fun” or unusual and this wonderful camera from Konica is that and more. A couple of other cameras that I’d put in this category are the Fuji Pet and the Konica Kanpai (Kanpa!). How could you not fall in love with this cute little Tomato at first sight?

We love the glossy bright red finish and of course, the cute logo but the Tomato is more than just a pretty face. The store display card is a nice bonus and a reminder of just how much the camera set cost back in 1985 (about $99) and the case another $10.

If you’ve been a follower of our blog you undoubtedly know just how much we enjoy collecting cameras that come with their original boxes and have all of the goodies that came with them when new.

We’ve added the Fujicolor film for, well, color! The box looks like it came from the produce department of your local grocery store. Well done Konica!

It’s all there – a user’s guide, service guide, warranty/registration card, and a neat brochure on how to join the Sakura Film Club.

It comes with this super cool camera case that was an accessory when new.

Some specs. Features a fixed focus 35mm f/4 Konica lens (multicoated, 4 elements/4 groups) which I believe is glass. Selectable ISO settings of 100, 200, and 400, and on the left, a switch for using the flash when the subject is between 1.5 to 2 meters from the camera. The flash can be turned on and off which wasn’t a typical feature with compact point & shoot cameras during the 1980s.

The body of the camera is finished in a smooth glossy red and even though it’s plastic it’s a high grade of plastic that doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy in your hand. Another nice feature is the sliding lens cover that is also quite stout, unlike some other designs that feel like they’ll break after a few uses.

Auto Date – what’s up with that? Shown here with the time display (14:41 = 2:41 PM). The date display is accurate up to December 31, 2019. The date or time will be imprinted on your pictures unless you select “off”. According to the instructions, the date/time module is smart enough to know when it’s a leap year.

There’s a neat sticker inside reminding you to use either Sakura or Konica film. I installed a new CR2025 battery (far right) for the date/time feature. The camera uses a single AA battery that powers the flash and the underexposure warning light (just to the right of the viewfinder).

We consider the Konica Tomato a “Modern Classic” and part of our “Plastic Fantastic” collection. If you’re interested in purchasing this set, it’s available in our online camera shop 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.

Happy SUNday! – Minolta Madness

November 6, 2022November 6, 2022Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Another beautiful Minolta has found its way into our collection and to be quite frank, we have more SLRs than we could ever possibly shoot with or even display. So, this lovely Minolta X-700 MPS is available in our camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Minolta X-700 MPS (Minolta Program System) with sharp Rokkor MD 50mm f/2 lens.

This Minolta can be shot on full automatic exposure, aperture priority, or fully manual where you set both the shutter and aperture.

The X-700 is super easy to use and to me is lightweight enough to carry around all day.

The full-color brochure (over 40 pages) is filled with charts, tables, lists, and features of every Minolta lens and accessory available. The brochure is rather har-to-find and it’s included with the camera.

The Minolta X-700 is truly the heart of a complete system (MPS) of data backs, motor drives, flash units, lenses, focusing screens, close-up and macro accessories, meters, and cases. It’s one of our favorite 35mm SLRs to use. If you’re interested, pop on over to our shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com which is hosted by Etsy. Thanks for stopping by! – Chris & Carol

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Minolta Maxxum AF Zoom 70-210mm Lens Set

November 5, 2022November 5, 2022Chris and Carol 1 Comment

This is the more desirable constant aperture f/4 lens that will mount with all Sony Alpha digital bodies and of course, Minolta AF mount cameras.

Minolta Maxxum AF Zoom 70-210mm f/4 Lens
for 35mm Minolta SLR Cameras
and Sony Alpha Digital Cameras

– Minolta AF Lens Mount
– Fits Sony Alpha Mount Cameras
– SN 19104170
– 12 elements in 9 groups
– 55mm Filters
– Internal Focusing & Zoom
– Constant f/4
– Macro
– Known as the ‘Beercan’

* The lens can be adapted for use on digital cameras.
* This is a high-quality lens that is well-built.

*The condition is overall near mint with just a few very
minor paint wear areas on the lens barrel.

*The lens is super clean – no dirt anywhere and only
some minor specs of dust. No mold, no fungus
that I can see with a bright LED light.

*The lens functions perfectly. The aperture blades are clean
and snappy, the lens mounts securely, and the focus is smooth
and spot on.

*The set includes the original Minolta lens caps, a Minolta
lens hood, and a Toshiba 55mm screw-in Skylight (1A)
metal and glass filter with Toshiba plastic case.

It’s a one-owner lens that has never been
offered for sale before.
I believe the lens was built in 1985 in Japan.

Includes the lens, a Minolta lens hood, Minolta front and rear lens caps, and a Toshiba 55mm screw-in Skylight 1A filter.

This wonderful lens set is available in my online camera shop http://www.ccstudio2380.com which is hosted by Etsy. It mails nearly Worldwide so if you’re interested pop on over and check it out. Additional pics are listed with the lens.

Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Classic Canon AE-1

October 28, 2022October 28, 2022Chris and Carol Leave a comment

This beautiful set is dated back to November 1978. It’s a joy to use and it’s as clean as new. I believe it’s one of the best 35mm film cameras from that era.

Shown here with the original Canon FD lens – the 50mm f/1.8 S.C. (Spectra Coated) breech-lock lens.

It’s available in our camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Happy SUNday! – fun finds

October 23, 2022October 23, 2022Chris and Carol Leave a comment

It’s been a busy and productive week meeting with clients. Lots of photo gear to “play” with and lots of new cameras to go on a photo walk with.

I scored a recently hard-to-find fresh roll of this awesome Kodak film.

Not to be outdone by the ColorPlus I bought a roll of this classic from Kodak (fresh through 2024).

A Mamiyaflex C2 is in good working order. I have the interchangeable lenses for it waiting in the wings and a fresh roll of Kodak Portra 400.

I picked up this gorgeous Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 12.1MP camera. It’s a blast to use and produces stunning images (I haven’t turned on the GPS yet).

If only! I purchased three Mamiya sales brochures that I just had to have (since I don’t actually own the cameras).

Although it’s not made by the original Yashica I had to have this “cheesy” camera anyway!

I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to add this stunning Canon to my collection.

Last but not everything, this like-new Canon Sure Shot 85 Zoom Date 35mm compact point & shoot film camera with a crazy sharp lens.

There’s actually more to show but I’ll leave those for a bit later. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! – Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Beautiful Yashica A III Set – 1959

September 20, 2022September 20, 2022Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I’ve decided to part with my rather rare Yashica A III camera set. The A III was the last model ‘A’ that Yashica produced in that line and this one was only made between April 1959 to August 1960 with release mostly in Japan and later in Europe in very limited numbers.

This camera was made in November 1959 and features light dove gray leatherette over dark gray metal and it came with a light gray leather case. Everything about this camera is unique, especially the instruction booklet (English gent in the bowler). The booklet is over 80 pages in length and it goes way beyond giving instruction in the operation of the model A III. It includes (in English) a brief history of the beginnings of the company and the founder. I’ve never seen another copy of this booklet in all of my years of collecting Yashica products.

Gray on gray. The gray leatherette is clean and stain and discoloration free.

The camera operates as it should and the optics are clean, clear, and sharp. I believe that the camera has been on display in a collection for a long time before I acquired it. The original box is in outstanding condition and unlike most boxes from that period, it is super clean and still solid. That in itself is a rare find. The gray leather case is also a rare find as it is also still in excellent condition. All of the stitching is in place and the leather is subtle and clean.

The original leather case has done an excellent job of protecting this wonderful camera.

If you are interested in purchasing my camera set I have it in my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com or we can make arrangements to purchase it through this blog and PayPal. As always, thanks for stopping by! – Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Yashica 300mm Leather Lens Case

June 14, 2022June 14, 2022Chris and Carol 3 Comments

I came across this wonderful lens case the other day and I’d like to pass it along as I don’t have the actual lens that would go with it and the original box. The case itself could easily fit almost any telephoto lens in that focal length. It still looks new.

You can buy it directly here on this post via PayPal or go to my online camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com and purchase it there.

Yashica 300mm Leather Lens Case

As described in this post, it’s complete with the original box, unopened strap, warranty card, and Yashica lens guide. No lens, just the like-new lens case.

$39.00

Shipping is free in the USA! Worldwide shipping is available but please contact me for a quote before purchasing. Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Leica Leicavit Rapid Winder

April 25, 2022April 25, 2022Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I’ve placed my Leica leicavit rapid winder for sale in my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com. The Leicavit will work on the Leica IIIf and IIIg 35mm rangefinder cameras from the 1950s with a serial number higher than 400,000. This winder has been fully serviced and adjusted by Mr. Yoxin Ye who is a well-known Leica repairperson.

Designed for “Sequence Photography” per Leica’s instruction booklet. This one will work with the IIIf and IIIg.

Here is the Leicavit pictured on my 1956 Leica IIIg.

As pictured, it comes with the original box and tissue paper. Not very many of these are available that have been fully serviced. It was tested on my Leica IIIg and 100% is working. Thanks for stopping by and if you’re interested in purchasing it please visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com which is hosted by Etsy. You can also follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai. Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

New items in my camera shop

March 29, 2022March 29, 2022Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Hi all – I’ve added some very interesting items to my online camera shop hosted by Etsy at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

eBay is funny (but they don’t make you laugh)

March 2, 2022March 2, 2022Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I’ve been on eBay since 2003 and a regular seller since 2008. During this time I’ve been a “Top Rated Seller” and in the old days, a “Power-Seller”. What’s the advantage of being a top-rated seller? Well, they place a little logo next to your seller ID, you get a reduction in some of your final value fees, and you get to be compared and judged against other sellers with higher sales figures and often higher negative feedback ratings. In order to qualify, you must maintain at least 100 sales during a twelve-month period with a minimum of at least $1,000 in transactions. So, if you have 99 transactions and $5,000 in sales and no negative feedbacks you wouldn’t qualify because negative feedback isn’t really that important to them in the long run. But let’s say you have 3,000 transactions, $20,000 in sales, and a bunch of negative feedbacks from your customers you could still be “Top Rated”. Here are a few recent messages I’ve received from eBay –

**This is crazy – why tell me that I had no cases and still need to improve?**

**How’s this for a roller coaster ride?**

To say the least this is a confusing mess. I was Top Rated and then I wasn’t with no defects and no negative feedback comments. I sold 99 items (over a 12-month period) with just under $5,000 in sales. eBay charges about 12 to 15% so they made a nice profit from me.

**These numbers only reflect feedback received – many buyers don’t take the time to leave feedback**

**Positive feedback is a good thing but not necessarily in eBay’s eyes.**

I’ve started to list fewer items for sale on eBay and as I have a majority of my cameras and lenses on Etsy (www.ccstudio2380.com) and on my Mercari site. BTW, Etsy charged only 5% but will start charging 6.5% in April. It’s still a deal compared to eBay’s 12-15%.

Here is how Etsy rewards sellers (below).