Happy SUNday! – Contax Bliss

April 7, 2024April 8, 2024Chris and Carol 4 Comments

The Contax 50th Anniversary Edition 137 MD Quartz 35mm SLR film camera.

The ’50 Years’ model had a unique leatherette and a gold Contax ‘button’ on the flash sync terminal.

I don’t usually chase anniversary models, but this one struck me as pure in the early 1980s.

Contax celebrated fifty years, 1932-1982.

One of two standard lenses is shown here.

Contax numbered their cameras, consequently. As far as I am aware, no date code is hidden in the serial numbers.

It’s a simple manual focus aperture priority camera first released in 1980. Notice the location of the tripod socket. The entire baseplate is removable to be able to install the four AA batteries needed to power the meter and motor drive.

I believe the red sticker indicates that the color of the body is ‘fin’ or ‘wine.’ The Google Translate app isn’t apparent.

There aren’t many of these models still available, but they are well worth being chased.

This particular camera was sold in Japan, and unfortunately, I don’t have the original paperwork or Japanese instruction booklet. I’d love to find the correct strap, too. The proper case is a bit of a mystery, but I believe it should have been C-004, according to my friend Graham in the UK. By the way, the period correct flash units made for the 137 MD is the Contax TLA20 and TLA30 Auto Flash units for true TTL flash metering. There is also a 137 Data Back and a 137 Grip Adapter. Thanks for stopping by and be sure to visit my camera shop (hosted by Etsy) at http://www.ccstudio2380.com – 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.

3 little Yashicas from the 1960s

July 23, 2023July 27, 2023Chris and Carol 2 Comments

Yashica Minimatic-S. A fully automatic (no autofocus) 35mm rangefinder was released in February 1963. The camera set both the aperture and shutter speed.

Yashica M. Released in June 1960. 35mm rangefinder with a sharp and fast Yashinon f1.9 lens. The “M” was also known as the 35M and 35 Model M.

Yashica Half 17. Capable of shooting up to 72 images on a roll of 36-exposure 35mm film.

Each camera uses selenium cell light meters to assist with setting the proper exposure. If you can find working examples of these classics you’ll enjoy a whole new level of vintage film shooting as the Yashinon lenses are sharp, colorful, and contrasty. 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

Nikon F 35mm SLR Camera with Photomic-T Finder from 1967

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

It’s one of those camera profiles that even non-camera people will recognize (old movies, vintage print advertisements) instantly. The original Nikon F with a metered (light meter) viewfinder head.

Nikon F set from late 1967 with matching instruction booklets (and cap).

Nikon F Photomic-T with Nikkor-S Auto 50mm f1.4 lens. It’s been used but not abused through the years – notice the brassing around the ASA dial on top.

Original advertisement for the Nikon F from 1960. It’s shown here without the metered viewfinder (Photomic).

Actress Katharine Ross with her Nikon and motor drive.

I haven’t had the opportunity to shoot with my new to me Nikon but it’s in the queue. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

A Yashica A III and its ‘hat’…

September 14, 2022September 14, 2022Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I’m a sucker for a classic camera that looks like it was in a museum its whole life and still works like new (who wouldn’t?). I especially love vintage cameras that have some if not all of their original marketing bits and pieces. Here is a perfect example of why I collect and chase classic cameras.

This terrific little eye-catcher is affectionately known as a ‘hat’. That piece of paperboard that’s sitting on top of my Yashica A III. When you went into a camera shop back in the day, there were dozens of shiney new cameras wanting to catch your eye. One way to do so was to plop a hat on your camera to make it stand out and communicate something in the briefest of glances.

Nothing Earth-shaking but enough to tell you something without asking the salesperson anything. The price, some shutter specs, and of course, the type of lens. A nice leather case for another 800 yen. I’ve had a few of these hats from Yashica in my collection and they never fail to put a smile on my face (I know, I’m easily entertained). Thanks for stopping by. Have you seen a similar thing on another brand’s TLR? If so, let me know, or better yet share a pic. Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

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

More Life Ads, November 1953

November 29, 2021November 29, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Ads from Life magazine have been a favorite of mine over the years. Even when new they were often compelling.

Some of these clocks would be very collectible today in excellent condition. Do you have a favorite?

It’s amazing to think they were this big at one time.

Did you pick a favorite? Mine is the fifth one across the top row left to right. Of course, it’s the second most expensive but I like its design. Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

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

November 1953 Advertisements

November 27, 2021November 27, 2021Chris and Carol 1 Comment

From Life magazine, November 23, 1953

“The Champagne of Ginger Ales”. Quite a dry party.

I don’t remember them looking like this in the mid-1960s and early 1970s.

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

more LIFE – 1987

November 18, 2021November 19, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

The cover of Life magazine from January 1988.

How many of these events and people do you remember? The 1987 Ford Festiva LX (pictured below) was made by Kia for Ford. I actually owned a 1993 Festiva which was virtually unchanged from this model. 12-inch wheels by the way and awesome gas mileage approaching the low 40 mpg range on the highway.

And talk about changes. The 1954 De Soto (pictured below) from an ad that appeared in the November 23, 1953 issue of Life.

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

Monster cars from Detroit – 1969

November 17, 2021November 17, 2021Chris and Carol 2 Comments

I just found a Life magazine from September 27, 1969, that was loaded with new car advertisements (which is to be expected in a September issue). Car manufacturers introduced their new model cars typically in the early fall. Here are some “land yachts” from Detroit.

Actually the two smallest cars from Chevy for 1969.

Another monster from GM. Wide-Track Pontiac Grand Prix.

Look familiar? It’s the same platform over and over again – just different body designs – huge 2-door cars.

The same car over and over again. Looks just like the Caprice, doesn’t it?

In 1970 I worked with a guy who had this vehicle and in the small shopping center where we worked, he could never find a spot to park his monster.

Here is the issue of Life magazine that these cars ads are from.

Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

Awesome Yashica collectible!

October 27, 2021October 27, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Hello and Happy Wednesday! I’ve just added a really hard-to-find Yashica collectible in my online camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com – pop on over and check it out.

It’s in very nice condition showing no signs of use. It’s from around 1966 or so when Yashica introduced the Electro 35 camera. A mat like this would be typically used by a camera dealer to place on a countertop to show and protect the camera he was showing to a customer. It’s about 16.25 by 10.50 inches. The raised gold letters look as bright and shiny as new.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris, Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris.

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

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Happy SUNday! – Contax Bliss

3 little Yashicas from the 1960s

Nikon F 35mm SLR Camera with Photomic-T Finder from 1967

A Yashica A III and its ‘hat’…

New items in my camera shop

More Life Ads, November 1953

November 1953 Advertisements

more LIFE – 1987

Monster cars from Detroit – 1969

Awesome Yashica collectible!