Category Nikon Cameras

Contax RX – 1994

Chris and Carol 2 Comments

Before the dawn of the digital age, camera manufacturers produced some of their most technologically advanced 35mm SLR film cameras to date. Sophisticated autofocus systems, auto exposure, eye-control, and zone-assist focusing to name just a few features. The Canon EOS-1N (1994), the Nikon F4 (1988) which was Nikons first professional camera with autofocus, the F5 (1996), and the Contax RX (1994), AX (1996) which had a basic autofocus system and later, the N1 (2000) a true autofocus camera with a new line of Zeiss lenses.

My Contax RX set. The lens was initially sold separately.
The RX’s ‘highlight’ was the Digital Focus Indicator (DFI) function—not quite autofocus, but close.
It’s a handsome SLR with a timeless, classic look that, in my opinion, modern Fujifilm mirrorless cameras emulate.
The list price of JPY 160,000 was about USD 1,600 in 1994.
Contax RX brochure. Shoots at up to 3 frames per second.
Canon EOS-1N RS (a film eater with autofocus). It’s capable of shooting 10 frames per second! Uses Canon EF lenses.
Canon EOS-1N brochure – 1994.
Nikon F5 1996. It’s capable of shooting 8 frames per second.
Nikon F5 brochure.
The Contax RX. The data back only indicates the year up to 2019. Thirty years on, it’s stuck in the 1990s. The data is printed between the frames on the film, not in the image.
Contax craziness!

More soon. 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. Copyright © 2015-2024 Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris (Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic), Chris Whelan. All rights reserved.

Nikon Accessories Brochure – 1986

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Dated October 1986.
The brochure features some of the more hard-to-find (now) cases.
Lens Hoods – they’re always a difficult item to match with their proper lens.
Wouldn’t it be nice to own these now?

I have many Nikon brochures in my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (hosted by Etsy). I ship nearly Worldwide. 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. Copyright © 2015-2024 Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris (Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic), Chris Whelan. All rights reserved.

The best addition to my camera collection in 2023

Chris and Carol 2 Comments

The best addition to my camera collection in 2023. I’m a big-time Canon and Yashica collector, so getting into the Nikon brand has been a fun experience. Lots to learn, which has made it a challenge.
Nikon F2A (F2 Photomic A) with a Nikkor 50mm f2 lens. Pictured with the AS-1 Flash Unit Coupler and AR-1 Soft Shutter Release.
The F2 body is from early 1973, and the DP-11 metered viewfinder is from 1978.

Pictured is the Nikon Speedlight SB-16B, which is too big on the AS-1 adapter. When a flash head is this big, it’s best to go with a flash with a handle. The SB-16 features a bounce, swivel tilt head, and forward firing flash below the main flash. When mounted on the F2, the TTL flash feature is unavailable like it would be on the later F3. It’s still an automatic flash with two settings and a manual flash mode.
The Nikkor 50mm f2 is a great lens – you don’t always need a faster lens when shooting with a higher ISO (ASA back then). I find it plenty sharp enough, especially at f4 and 5.6.

Do you have a new favorite Nikon?
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.

Copyright © 2015-2024 Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris (Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic), Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.

wordless wednesday

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Nikon L35AF 35mm camera with Fujicolor Superia X-TRA 400 color negative film.

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.

Copyright © 2015-2023 Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris (Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic), Chris Whelan All rights reserved.

Nikon F3 HP

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Hi all! I have a nice one-owner Nikon F3 HP 35mm SLR film camera for sale in my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

This one was made in July 1983 according to the date code stamped internally.

I’ve also added a few more Nikons in my shop as well as some nice photo gear, film, and color sales brochures (and instruction manuals). 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.

Copyright © 2015-2023 Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris (Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic), Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.

A pair of classic Nikons.

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A pair of classic Nikons ready for their first adventures with me.
On the left is a Nikon F Photomic-T with a Nikkor-S Auto 50mm f1.4 lens with an age-appropriate cap. The camera body is from 1967 and the finder is from 1965. A more appropriate finder for this body would have been the TN. The lens is from 1968. On the right is a Nikon F2A Photomic with the DP-11 finder (that’s what makes it an “A”). The F2 body is a late 1972 to early 1973 model and the finder is from at least 1977. The lens is a Nikkor 50mm f2 from 1978. The strap is NOS that I just happen to like the color scheme on it. The brown half-case on the Photomic-T is a mid-sixties case.
Both meters have been checked and they are accurate – a film test will tell more but on older metered cameras such as these, I shoot color negative film with a wide exposure latitude (Fujifilm 200 and 400).
There you have my entire Nikon collection (almost). I’ve just added the last piece, a gorgeous early F from 1964 which I’ll soon show off. LOL
Thanks for stopping by, Chris
My camera shop is at www.ccstudio2380.com

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.

Copyright © 2015-2023 Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris (Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic), Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.

Nikon F2A and Canon F-1

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Can you say the Canon is a bit more “compact”?
Both camera systems are products of the 1970s and the design esthetic is classic and clean for the era. Side-by-side the differences are obvious. The Nikon’s metered prism (DP-11) is much larger and taller than the eye-level prism on the Canon (which was the standard prism since its introduction in 1971) and the motor drive is taller on the F2A but wider on the F-1. Which is your favorite? Another difference – is that Canon’s exposure (light) meter was built into the body of the camera vice being located in the prism like it is on the Nikon.

1970s heavyweights.
Without batteries in the motor drive the Nikon tips the scales at a hefty 1,520 grams.
Same situation for the Canon (no motor drive batteries) but somehow there are over 5 ounces of additional weight in the F-1.

More comparisons of these two popular professional system cameras in greater detail soon. 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.

Copyright © 2015-2023 Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris (Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic), Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.

Finally! (again)

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Finally! A recently acquired Nikon F2A with a Nikon MD-2 Motor Drive. It’s actually a very well-used camera set that arrived dirty but working. It cleaned up nicely (I know how to detail a camera). Can’t wait to give it a go but since I’ve sold off all of my AI Nikkor lenses I’ll have to purchase a “new” one. I’m waiting on a new battery magazine for the Nikon MB-1 Battery Pack (it takes two magazines) so that part is untested ATM. The meter looks good and of course, the camera sounds great. It was professionally serviced back in 1992. The seals look good so I should be good to go once I get the lens (AI 50mm f2).

Nikon F2A Photomic. This model features the DP-11 meter head.

I say this again because just the other week I purchased a long-awaited Nikon F Photomic-T 35mm SLR to be the Nikon F in my collection. This model (above) is from late 1972 to around March 1973. The meter head was released in 1977. The motor drive was released in 1973.

Rear camera view of the F2A and MD-2 motor drive.

I’ll be sharing more details and a comparison with the Canon F-1 from the same time period. 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.

Copyright © 2015-2023 Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris (Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic), Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.

Tuesday’s Camera – Nikon F

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The Nikon F
This one is from late 1971 or early 1972

I love the clean lines and “simple” design. A forever classic. Which is your favorite Nikon? Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out my camera shop CC Design Studios at http://www.ccstudio2380.com – it’s hosted by Etsy so shipping is nearly worldwide. – 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.

Copyright © 2015-2023 Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris (Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic), Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.