The Yashica J-3 was the first numbered model of the ‘J’ Series of cameras and was released in late 1962. The black version was never mentioned in any brochure that I own or have seen either in English or Japanese. A small number were made but finding a mint and working model is quite difficult – but worth the chase!
Early sales brochure.J-3 in all black and classic silvered chrome.
Studio Camera – Fujifilm X-T2
Lens – Yashica Auto Yashinon 5cm f/2 (the original lens for the J-3)
Adapter – FotodioX M42-FX
Film Simulation – (Top) Acros, (Bottom) Velvia Vivid
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.
An old favorite of mine. This one was made by the good folks at the Yashima factory in Shimosuwa, Nagano Prefecture, Japan in about mid-1957. The serial number, 119xxx puts it in the early first stages after a slight upgrade to the original design from late 1956. This one has a built-in exposure meter on the camera’s left side and the “light gathering window” is located under the nameplate. The shutter and focus are spot on and the meter appears accurate.
LM = ‘Light Meter’Yashica LM was made by Yashima.
These images were taken using my new overhead studio light and my Fujifilm X-T2. Simple setup with excellent results. 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.
I’m always on the chase for unique Yashica collectible items especially if it’s one of the ‘Yashica Sailor Boys’ – in this case, it’s the rare football version of the little guy. It’s made by Modern Plastics of Japan but in this case, I’m not sure of exactly when (later than 1962). He rarely comes up at auction and in this case, he’s also in excellent condition.
The ‘Sailor Boy’ in football gear. The number 35 is in reference to a 35mm camera as part of a promotion.The guy on the left was made to promote the release of the Yashica 5 Star Auto Focus 35mm camera and the guy on the right is the original 1962 version.1981 promo for the Yashica 5 Star Auto Focus 35mm camera. The ‘Sailor Boy’ has been reimagined as Wee Willie Winkie telling the world about his new camera (no, really LOL).Yashica in Katakana characters on his hat.
Hope I’m the winning bidder but I’m afraid he’s so rare that vinyl figurine and toy collectors will bid past my budget. Have a great day and 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.
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
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.
I enjoy finding ads that not only have great content but a date of publication too – throw in prices and it’s a winner!
Yashica-Mat and the Yashica Model LM plus all four models that were offered in late 1957.
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.
From around 1970. It’s an interesting ad since it used real people and not models – or were they?
The Electro-35 CC was released in 1970 so it’s possible this was when this ad was run.
It’s a great ad for the collection!
Thanks for stopping by, Chris
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.
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
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.
I’ve added some really neat cameras in my Etsy-supported camera shop, CC Design Studios. As always, I have an eclectic mix of classic cameras and gear all fully tested and ready for your adventures. A few examples are shown below.
The Polaroid OneStep was recently acquired from another collector who has had it since new. Although I haven’t run a fresh pack of film through it it’s been checked and I see no reason why it wouldn’t enjoy another active life. The new Polaroid company makes all types of film packs for this model which uses the popular Polaroid 600 film (color and black & white). The Nikon L35AF was Nikon’s first autofocus compact 35mm camera in 1983 and one of its most successful in a long line of similar models (One Touch). This one has been thoroughly tested and I’ve shot two rolls of fresh Fujicolor through it. The pictures came out great – I see why this camera has such a good reputation.
How about a couple of super nice Canons? My awesome Canon A-1 1980 Winter Olympics Edition 35mm SLR will come to you as clean as new and fully serviced and tested! The A-1 is a joy to use and with a host of Canon accessories available, it’s the perfect 35mm system camera. This one has been in my collection for years and I’ve decided to pass it along as I just can’t keep all of the cameras I own (or can I?). If you’re looking for a sharp DSLR then you’ll love my Canon EOS 7D with its Canon battery grip it’s the kind of heavyweight DSLR to handle your toughest photographic challenges. Like everything I have in my shop, the 7D is fully tested and ready for you (it was my personal camera for years). It looks and operates like new and includes its original box, instruction booklets, charger, and batteries.
The Olympus SP-800UZ is a wildly capable 14-megapixel bridge camera with an amazing 30x wide-angle optical zoom lens. Its CCD sensor produces film-like images in stunning clarity. How about a 35mm equivalent zoom range of 28-840mm! Full wide-angle to super telephoto and with super macro ability to within 1 cm of the lens!
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.
A unique pairing to be sure. This is the original MF-2 Super made by Kyocera in 1986, not the current model being sold by the “new” and not associated with the real Yashica company in China.
Sharp Yashica 38mm lens (3 elements, 3 groups).Includes the rare Yashica AM Receiver MF-2S which gets its power from the camera.
This is the last Yashica “Plastic Fantastic” still new in its original box in my collection. I’ve enjoyed collecting these neat Yashicas over the years but as I get older I realize the value of sharing my collection with others. It’s in my online camera shop hosted by Etsy at http://www.ccstudio2380.com.
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 TL Electro X ITS (in black) and TL Electro X with Auto Yashinon-DS f/1.7 50mm lens (foreground).TL Electro X (Type 2) – 1972Yashica Copy Stand – NOS – 1971From 1971 sales brochure.
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.
Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris 