A timeless classic from Yashica.

January 19, 2025January 19, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Yashica 35

Yashica’s first 35mm camera was made from April 1958 to December 1960.
New evidence indicates that the Yashica 35 had a longer run than previously reported. The first units rolled off the line in April 1958, and the last in December 1960. This camera may be one of the last made – its serial number shows it to be a December 1960 model, which was the 1,150th of that month.
The lens is a Tomioka-made f/1.9, 4.5cm, with a Copal MKV-SV shutter. The build quality and sharpness of the lens are exceptional.

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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 © 2015-2025 Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris (Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic), Chris Whelan. All rights reserved.

Petri Penta V – a classic or ugly duckling?

January 18, 2025January 18, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I know Petri has made several different camera models over the years, some of which I absolutely love and others, like this one, that I dislike. Is it a classic, or has it not aged well? It was released in 1969, so at that time, early SLRs weren’t especially stunners compared to the more refined models of the later 1960s. That said, I think the Asahi Pentax H2 from 1959 is one of the best-designed cameras from that era. The Nikon F is a stunning camera, but I dislike removing the base plate to load and unload film.

I admit, it would look better with a lens. Without a lens, it looks like a plumbing fixture.

A previous owner added the leatherette on the pentaprism, hiding the serial number. Does this add to or subtract from the camera’s appearance?

The tripod mount screw is moved forward under the lens mount; otherwise, it’s a simple base plate.

Here are my Asahi Pentax H2 from 1959 and my Yashica Pentamatic ’35’ from 1960 as a comparison.

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Ready for an outing: Canon OD F-1

January 17, 2025January 17, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

My Canon OD F-1 is ready for another outing. I’m not sure yet which lens or lenses I’ll take along. I typically choose a wide-angle lens as it best suits the close quarters of my town’s historic district.

OD is for Canon’s limited edition Olive Drab camera, released in early 1978 and limited to less than 3,000 units, mainly for the Japanese domestic market. The strap is a recent addition. I purchased it from a seller on Etsy who makes these custom straps. It’s not an exact color match, but it’s close enough for me.

Here are a few images from an outing a couple of weeks ago.

The Palace Saloon on Centre Street, Fernandina Beach Historic District.

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Friday Fotos! – Winter Gifts

January 17, 2025January 17, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Two beautiful Gerbera daisies on this sunny but chilly winter day.

These grow ‘wild’ in my front yard garden.

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Yashica ‘Rookie’ – 1956

January 16, 2025January 16, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Yashicaflex Rookie by Yashima Optical Industry Company, Limited (Yashica by 1958).

It’s rarely seen outside Japan, where it was an inexpensive medium-format 6x6cm 120 film camera. The only item I’m missing is the inner ‘presentation box.’ The outer shipping box is pictured. It was marketed to the first-time camera user as an uncomplicated camera that even a rookie could use.

It’s pictured with its cousin, the Yashica model A.

Yashica cousins. The model A in gray leatherette.

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wordless wednesday

January 15, 2025January 15, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

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A little gem from 1959.

January 15, 2025January 15, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Asahi Pentax H2 – 1959
One of my favorite early 35mm SLRs in my collection. It’s as good, if not better, than the Nikon F from the same year.

Camera and Lens: Fujifilm X-T2, Fujinon XF 10-24mm f4 R OIS, Fujifilm Acros Simulation.

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twosday 2 fer

January 14, 2025January 14, 2025Chris and Carol 1 Comment

Yashica’s first rangefinder camera is on the left, and Yashica’s first SLR is on the right.

The Canon EF is a close cousin to the F-1. The EF was released in 1973, and the original F-1 in 1971. This OD F-1 (olive drab) is the only Canon F-1 in a color other than black.

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More Wat Phra Kaew, Bangkok 1978

January 13, 2025January 13, 2025Chris and Carol 2 Comments

Standing guard at Wat Phra Kaew.

Mid-December in Thailand. With Kodachrome 25 loaded in my Canon F-1.

Canon FD 24mm f/2.8 SSC wide angle lens.

A super wide-angle lens is the only way to capture the wonder that is this temple.

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Photographing ‘Mickey’

January 13, 2025January 13, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I was out and about in Sheung Shui, New Territories, near the Chinese border in January 1979. The dog never stopped watching me, and neither did the gentleman on the other side of the fence.
Photograph by my friend Jim with his Nikon F2. Me with my Canon F-1.

I believe this was a day school in Fanling, Sheung Shui. I can’t find this building today on Google Maps but, Lot 1584 shows up. I don’t see Police Station Road either.
Canon F-1 with FD 55 mm f/1.4 lens on Kodachrome.