Comments are always welcome; I’ve learned a great deal from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by. While there, visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios, hosted on Etsy). – Chris Whelan
These two from the mid-1970s are not often seen together. The RTS was released in 1975, and I purchased this F-1 in 1978. I considered buying the RTS instead of the F-1, but the representative from Canon at the Navy Exchange store in Yokohama convinced me the F-1 was better, and at the time, a bit less expensive than the Contax. Many years later, I was able to get the RTS, and I added the PMD W-6 as a bonus. The Canon handles better due to its larger rubberized grip, but the RTS is a bit more sporty (designed by Porsche). I use them both. The Contax can eat through film at 5 fps vs. the Canon’s 3.5 fps.
Heavyweight superstars.The Canon’s drive is much larger, but the Contax is faster.Designed to excel in sports and unmanned photography.I find the large rubberized grip on the Canon to be easy to hold, and the extra-wide base kept the camera stable on a table.The Contax is super slick; the drive almost disappears into the camera’s body. Conversely, the smaller footprint means the camera is not as stable on a table.The grip on the Canon is removable, which opens up additional possibilities and accessories..One of my favorite Carl Zeiss lenses.
Comments are always welcome; I’ve learned a great deal from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by. While there, visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios, hosted on Etsy). – Chris Whelan
Comments are always welcome; I’ve learned a great deal from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by. While there, visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios, hosted on Etsy). – Chris Whelan
Comments are always welcome; I’ve learned a great deal from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by. While there, visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios, hosted on Etsy). – Chris Whelan
My Asahi-Takumar 135mm f/3.5 lens set is shown with my Asahi Pentax 35mm SLR from 1957. The lens is from 1958. The lens is listed at 300 grams or 10.5 oz. My lens weighs 326 grams. There must be an error in the original weight, or my lens was modified by the factory after the first lenses were made.
It’s one of the first auxiliary lenses made for their new 35mm SLR camera.Asahi Optical Company’s first 35mm SLR with a pentaprism. This model was released in May 1957, and the lens followed shortly after in 1958.A snip from the instruction guide. This lens is the closest to mine in design.The earliest lens design had two chrome aperture rings.It’s shown here mounted to my Fuji X-T2 via an adapter.A test image. The equivalent focal length is about 200mm when used on a 1.5x crop sensor camera, such as the Fuji.There may be some light haze or cloudiness inside one of the lens elements, as this shot lacks contrast.Same shot with added “punch”.
Comments are always welcome; I’ve learned a great deal from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by. While there, visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios, hosted on Etsy). – Chris Whelan
Classic Canon AE-1 35mm SLR film camera.Shown with a sharp Canon New FD 50mm f/1.8 lens.My set will include everything pictured (minus the display stand).This is the last AE-1 in my extensive Canon camera collection.
This beautiful set is now available in my Etsy camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com. It’s been professionally serviced and returned to factory specifications, including a new battery. Just add the film!
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
I have a few camera sets from my extensive collection just in time for the holiday gift-giving season. Some of these cameras, along with their original boxes, are rare in their mint and new condition. I’ve serviced each one and thoroughly tested them with film where necessary. My Etsy shop is at http://www.ccstudio2380.com.
Classic Canon A-1 with a Canon NFD 50mm f/1.8 lens and limited edition 1980 Winter Olympics Lake Placid lens cap.A Canon FT QL 35mm SLR. This was released just before the Canon F-1 was released in the summer of 1971. The FT is built like a tank and will probably outlast us all.A favorite! The 1994 Contax RX is pretty close to the perfect film camera. Add a Contax Carl Zeiss T* lens, and you have photographic excellence.Attention Pentax fans. This is an Asahi Pentax SL from around 1968. It is in perfect condition inside and out and fully serviced. It is ready for film and ready for your next photo walk.Rare, rare, and more rare. From 1978, a completely new and never used Nikon F2A with its original box and certified Nikon USA 25th Anniversary Edition.Canon’s Black Beauty is a close cousin to the famous Canon F-1 but with some significant differences. In addition to a fully manual mode, it can shoot automatically in shutter priority mode. You select the shutter speed, and the camera sets the proper aperture. It can electronically time the shutter to up to a 30-second exposure. It’s one of Canon’s best designs from the mid-1970s.This is a rare Nikon blue canvas messenger bag. It was released in limited quantities as a promotional item around the same time as the F2A and F2AS in the late 1970s. It’s new and never used, making it a perfect gift for a Nikon collector.
Thanks for stopping by and allowing me to shamelessly promote my camera shop! – 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
Paired with a sharp Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f/1.7 or f/1.4 lens made for a super sharp 35mm SLR. 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
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.
The Nikon FThis 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.
Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris 