A wonderful LTM lens from 1959 was likely made for Yashica by Tomioka Optical for use on their new Yashica YE 35mm Leica-inspired rangefinder camera. The YE was also known as the 35 YE and the 35 E type during its short run.
Here the lens is shown mounted to my Nicca 3-S.It’s a handsome lens and it looks well-suited for this mid-1950s Nicca.A test image from my Fujifilm X-A10 with Fotodiox adapter. I believe this was taken at f/11.At f/8 or f/11This one was taken late in the day in deep shade. The Fujifilm X-A10 was set to Velvia film simulation mode. Nice strong colors and sharp contrast.
If you’re interested in discovering more about this under-the-radar lens and Yashica camera might I suggest you stop by my good friend Paul Sokk’s site at http://www.yashicatlr.com/YE&YF.html#yashicaye
As always, 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.
It’s been fully serviced and brought back to the factory specifications. The old leatherette covering has been removed and the new leather has been delivered. So why haven’t I finished with the restoration? The simple and short answer is I have no idea. This image was taken in the Summer of 2020 and the camera hasn’t been touched since – it’s not on display either. I guess it’s time to finish this project, load some film, and enjoy it. I can’t believe how quickly time is slipping by.
In color.
It looks so industrial without the leatherette. 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
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 decided that I’m unlikely to acquire the Canon Model 7s which was an upgrade to the original Canon 7 (1961-1964). I have ‘lots’ of 35mm rangefinders in my classic camera collection now and adding another would only confirm my diagnosis of ‘GAS’. So, I’d like to pass along this rather hard to find instruction booklet for the 7s.
The Canon 7s was produced between 1965-1968.
My instruction book is in great condition with no missing pages, no writing, and the staples are tight and rust free. There’s some marks on the covers (see pics) and some minor wrinkles here and there but the book overall is solid and would make a nice addition in a collection.
My booklet pictured here was printed in April 1966.The inside front cover to the 7s instructions. The biggest change from the first Model 7 was the addition of a CdS exposure meter replacing the original selenium cell meter on the 7.
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, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris, Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris.
I was rather surprised to find such a late date booklet for the original Canon 7 35mm rangefinder camera (August 1968) since the camera went out of production in 1964. The Canon Model 7s was in full production during this period (it followed the Model 7 with only slight improvements).
A scan of the front cover and inside back cover from the booklet. Canon didn’t feature their 50mm f/0.95 lens in this edition.A scan of the back cover – take note of the 08/68 date code (bottom center). Again the f/1.4 lens is featured.
I haven’t had the opportunity to use my Model 7 yet as I’ve been super busy with a refresh of my kitchen (paint, new floors, and new cabinets) but I hope to soon. Here in Florida COVID-19 the Delta variant is running rampant so the thought of a walkabout with the camera is on hold for now. I’m vaccinated but apparently not many of my fellow Floridians and tourists are (https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view). What a shame as the local hospitals are nearly full with sick unvaccinated people.
Thanks for stopping by and be safe.
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, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris, Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris.
Chasing boxes — sounds pretty lame and it is in the big picture of collecting classic and vintage cameras but a camera box from the early 1960s can be either a rat or a gem after all these years. They’re just colorful cardboard with some stickers here and there after all and cardboard doesn’t do well if stored improperly. Moisture, bugs, sunlight, heat, pollution and crushing are just a few of the nasty things that can degrade 40, 50, and 60 year-old cardboard.
So, knowing all of the things that are stacked against finding a collectible camera box I’m happy to say that this one is a pleasant surprise. It’s far from perfect but it’s still very nice (no not so funny smells either).
My best guess is that this box was made in late 1962 based on the serial number of the camera that’s written on the bottom of the box.Originally the area that’s blacked out said 50mm f1.4 lens but a previous owner carelessly modified the box when the body was separated from the lens when sold.Here’s the camera that came with the box (a nice bonus). The box is nice because the camera is in near mint condition and is fully functional. The Canon Model 7 accepts LTM screw-in lenses from Canon, Nikon, Fuji, Leica, and a bunch of others. The bayonet part around the opening was designed to accept Canon’s ‘dream lens’ the 50mm f/0.95 which you can discover more about it at https://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/s43.html
So there you have it… another aspect to collecting classic film cameras, collecting the boxes that went with them. Most people dispose of the camera box right after they took their new camera out of the box (I’m guilty) and some left the original box at the camera shop when they took their camera home (not guilty).
A scan from a Canon Product Catalog from March 1967 (the Canon 7S had already been released). Note the ‘dream lens’ is affixed in this catalog’s image.
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, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris, Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris.
Being a fan of most of Canon’s cameras and lenses it was only a matter of time before I started chasing after the Model 7. Although this model was released while the world was catching the SLR craze, it stood out as one of the best rangefinders Canon had produced up to that point. It also served notice to Nikon and Leica that Canon was a serious competitor capable of building outstanding cameras and lenses. Here’s my Canon 7.
Lots to like about this Canon.Super bright and accurate view-rangefinder (Leica M challenger).Dual range selenium cell light meter that’s still very much active and hopefully still accurate.
I haven’t decided on a lens for it yet but I’m looking for a nice 50mm f1.4 lens that would have a serial number in the range of this body. From what I can tell, this camera left the factory with a lens in the range of 114000 to 116000. The chase is on!
I’ll post additional updates on this camera as I get the original box and case “in the studio” for some glamour shots. I’m also chasing after the appropriate instruction booklet for it in either English or Japanese (or both), a brochure, and of course, the proper lens. For now, my trusty Nikkor fits nicely.
A Nikkor lens on a Canon!
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, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris, Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris.
Nicca 3-S distributed by Hinomaruya, Tokyo (1951-1958) Nicca branded lens hood for the Nikkor 50 mm f/2 lens may have been made by them. Hinomaruya also distributed the Melton camera and Nikkor lenses.
A classic 35mm rangefinder camera from Nicca. The lens is a Nippon Kogaku Japan W-Nikkor 2.8cm f/3.5 lens with matching 2.8 optical viewfinder.
Random pics from my Flickr site that were recently favored.
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, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris, Chasing Classic Cameras with 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
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.
My good friend Paul Sokk has authored one of the most comprehensive sites dedicated to all things (I mean all things) related to and about Yashica twin-lens reflex cameras you’ll ever see. As if cracking Yashica’s history wasn’t enough, Paul then went on to research pretty much everything there is to know about Nicca and the cameras they made and their contribution to Yashica and their development of the Yashica Pentamatic.
Nicca 3-S 35mm rangefinder from 1955.All decked-out with its 28mm W-Nikkor lens and matching viewfinder.
I could go on and on about Paul’s site or just give you the link – it will be well worth a visit and your time. http://www.yashicatlr.com/Nicca.html
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, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris, Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris.
I wish! If it was the real camera, Canon’s first, it would be worth around ten thousand dollars in average working condition and well a lot more in mint condition. Instead this is a replica of that very first Canon made by Canon to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Canon (2012).
A 1:1.4 scale model (replica) of the original HANSA Canon 35mm rangefinder camera.Like most of my collectibles this one is still unopened and un-played with. The HANSA Canon story.BTW, the original lens was made by Nikon for Canon. See image below.The real thing. This is what an original Hansa Canon looks like and it’s available online for around $17.5K on eBay 353374854594
Since the real thing is beyond my and most people’s budgets, then this fine replica will just have to do. The HANSA Canon existed at the same time as the original 1930s Leicas. Which one was the better camera?
The replica is available in my camera shop.
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, 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 