New Arrivals

June 15, 2021June 15, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Hi all… thanks for stopping by! Just in time for Father’s Day I’m offering a nice 10% discount on almost everything in my shop – CC Design Studios at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Lots of unique items from our vast collection of photo gear and other collectibles from our travels over the years. Here’s a small sample…

We also have a bunch of gear and cameras that haven’t been listed yet. If there’s a particular item you’ve been searching for lets us know as we just might have it. Contact us here or at ccphotographyai@gmail.com

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.

Fujica GW690 Professional – medium format photography on a grand scale

June 11, 2021June 11, 2021Chris and Carol 3 Comments

A true classic from Fuji Photo Film Company. Have you ever thought about trying this camera? You won’t be disappointed. Chris

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

fujica gw690 2 The Fujica GW690 Professional from Fuji Photo Film Company – November 1978. It’s a rather hefty medium format 120/220 roll film camera capable of producing images at an amazingly large 6 x 9 cm.

fujica gw690 Loaded with Fujifilm Neopan 100 Acros.

Its original list price was ¥143,500. The camera features a non-interchangeable EBC Fujinon 90mm f/3.5 lens (5 elements in 5 groups) and a Seiko #0 leaf shutter with settings for T, 1-1/500 second. It weighs “just” 1,430 grams. No batteries needed as there is no built-in exposure meter. Simply focus the easy to use rangefinder, meter via a handheld meter (or phone app), set your aperture and shutter speed and you’re good to go. By the way, this beast produces 8 super sharp images so you can eat through a roll of 120 film in a hurry.

20130403_88ff69 Original sales brochure – 1978.

●11FUJI　GW690ⅡGOLD Released in 1985, the now Fuji GW690II in…

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Yashica YEM-35 Meter & Pentamatic ’35’

June 8, 2021June 8, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

The Pentamatic was unique in the fact that the accessory shoe was located on the camera’s left side just above the rewind lever. Since the Pentamatic didn’t have TTL metering adding a separate meter was as easy as simply sliding whichever model you wanted on. Of course, the meter wasn’t coupled with the camera so you would set the camera’s aperture and shutter speed according to the meters readings.

Vintage view with the meter attached to the accessory shoe.

Rare Zunow 35mm SLR Set

June 6, 2021June 6, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

A very rare, no let me say, ultra rare Zunow camera and lens set is for sale via an online auction in Japan. The Zunow was made in extremely limited numbers in 1959 and few remain this complete in the present collector world. Yashica’s first 35mm SLR was designed in early to mid-1959 shortly after Yashica acquired Nicca camera in 1958. The Yashica Pentamatic ’35’ started production in December 1959 with the first units reaching the US market in the Spring of 1960. The Pentamatic and the Zunow share some similar DNA as Yashica purchased lenses from Zunow (mostly cine lenses) and they were for a time dual branded.

Not often seen together original box, lens cap, case with strap, camera body and lens.

Here’s a snip of a completed auction for just the brochure.

Here’s my first Pentamatic ’35’ with a super-rare Tominon and Yashica branded wide-angle lens.

Looking at the Zunow and the Pentamatic it’s not hard to let your imagination run wild that maybe Zunow, Nicca, and Yashica all shared some design features with one another over a drink or two at a local bar on the outskirts of Tokyo.

This could be another sales brochure or brochure and instruction booklet combination.

Zunow and Yashica branded box for an 8mm cine camera lens.

An advertisement for a rare dual offering from a well-known Japanese camera dealer a few years back.

If you’re so inclined to bid on the current set online, here’s the link https://www.easyauctionjapan.com/YahooAuction-Yahoo-607566-j736361126.html

Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy your day and please feel free to visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Chris

1979 sure looks old (and ugly)!

May 20, 2021May 20, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

An advertisement from The Saturday Evening Post, January-February 1979. Even back then this was an ugly car and time hasn’t helped.

SUNday Spotlight! – Discovering some Fuji Fun

August 30, 2020August 30, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Fujifilm = Fuji Fun! Here’s a simple but fun to use point and shoot 35mm film camera from Fuji Photo Film Company – 1993. It’s hard to imagine that this camera is now over 25-years-old and it’s never been used.

It features a Fujinon f8 34mm lens with 3 elements in 3 groups. The shutter operates from 1/40 to 1/600 of a second. Built-in automatic flash and of course, red-eye reduction.

The Discovery line from Fuji was very popular with a ton of models produced in the early 1990s. The Discovery 90 Date listed for ¥18,500 in 1993 (about $160 USD).

It has some pretty nice features for such an easy to use camera. That’s the original film that came with the set – it’s expired but still usable.

I replaced the original CR2025 battery with a fresh one and reset the date.

These “Plastic Fantastic” cameras are a joy to use and with its Fujinon 34mm lens produced some quality images especially loaded with Fujicolor film.

Thanks for stopping by and have a fantastic Sunday! – Chris

http://www.ccstudio2380.com

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.

I Like Leica (stuff)!

August 28, 2020August 28, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

More Leica-Leitz stuff. This well-preserved brochure is from March 1949.

The finder was useful from 35mm to 135mm – a must once you started using lenses above 50mm.

The Leica catalog code is ‘VIOOH’ and the catalog number is 66,006a.

The finder was quite expensive for 1949 at $77 plus tax. I believe this brochure is dated 3/49 if I interpret the code correctly.

A somewhat similar viewfinder from Japan ca. 1952 from an unknown maker. This one is dedicated to using 13.5cm lenses.

Thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to visit my “gift shop” at http://www.ccstudio2380.com – Chris

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.

SUNday Spotlight – Chasing Classic Cameras – Leica Bits!

August 23, 2020August 23, 2020Chris and Carol 1 Comment

Part of the fun of collecting cameras is discovering something you didn’t know existed. In this case, I recently discovered that Leica Leitz made lens cases out of Bakelite (ancient plastic) that held various Leica lenses in the late 1940s and early 1950s (reportedly as early as the mid-1930s).

The case is designed to hold the lens securely with a small notch for the focus knob.

There are small numbers embossed in the base, 2729, and on the cap 2617. These numbers do not show up currently on a search of Leica catalog numbers.

The outside of the base of the Bakelite case.

‘BCDOO’ was the Leica catalog code for the Bakelite lens case for the 3.5cm Summaron. The translation of the French is “Bakelite boxes with screw-thread cover for…”.

Apparently, at some point in time (I don’t know the date of this catalog) these Bakelite cases were offered with the lenses as either a standard accessory or available as a separate option.

A small sample of the Bakelite cases.

Thanks for stopping by and here’s hoping you have a beautiful day and that you’re about to discover something neat in your camera collection! – Chris

By the way, my camera shop is always open at http://www.ccstudio2380.com so feel free to pop on over.

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.

New in the Shop – Cameras, Lenses & Neat Photo Stuff!

August 22, 2020August 22, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Hi all! Hope you’re staying safe and taking care of one another. Here are some new items I’ve added to my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com this week.

snip 8.22 1

snip 8.22 2

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

My shop is at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

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.

Nikon D50 DSLR with AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5G ED Zoom Lens

August 20, 2020August 20, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Hi all! I have a very nice classic Nikon DSLR from 2005 – it’s been fully tested, it’s super clean, and works 100%. The Nikkor lens is super sharp and focuses quickly and accurately. The lens can mount on any F mount body and can focus both with autofocus and manually.

DSCF2190

Here’s a couple of sample shots from it just this morning.

Full auto exposure and autofocus at full zoom. Great details, nice contrast, and fantastic colors.

A studio shot of the original Nikon camera strap and Lowepro padded DSLR bag that’s included with this nice set. The Nikon D50 excels for taking product shots for online auctions and it’s perfect for quick and easy pics for your website.

This set includes the Nikon D50 DSLR, the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5G DX ED zoom lens, the original Nikon camera strap, Nikon front and rear lens caps, Nikon remote with a fresh Sony battery, Nikon charger and battery, and the Lowepro case.

Nikon D50 DSLR and AF-S Nikkor Zoom Lens and all accessories pictured. Fully working and as clean as new.

Super nice Nikon DSLR set as described and depicted here in this post. Additional pictures upon request. I'll ship anywhere in the US via USPS Priority Mail with insurance and tracking FOR FREE! I can also ship nearly worldwide just ask for a quote first. If you would rather purchase this camera set direct from my shop (hosted by Etsy) just pop on over to http://www.ccstudio2380.com Thanks, Chris

$129.00

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

Yashica cameras and so much more!

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New Arrivals

Fujica GW690 Professional – medium format photography on a grand scale

Yashica YEM-35 Meter & Pentamatic ’35’

Rare Zunow 35mm SLR Set

1979 sure looks old (and ugly)!

SUNday Spotlight! – Discovering some Fuji Fun

Fujifilm = Fuji Fun! Here’s a simple but fun to use point and shoot 35mm film camera from Fuji Photo Film Company – 1993. It’s hard to imagine that this camera is now over 25-years-old and it’s never been used.

I Like Leica (stuff)!

More Leica-Leitz stuff. This well-preserved brochure is from March 1949.

SUNday Spotlight – Chasing Classic Cameras – Leica Bits!

Part of the fun of collecting cameras is discovering something you didn’t know existed. In this case, I recently discovered that Leica Leitz made lens cases out of Bakelite (ancient plastic) that held various Leica lenses in the late 1940s and early 1950s (reportedly as early as the mid-1930s).

New in the Shop – Cameras, Lenses & Neat Photo Stuff!

Hi all! Hope you’re staying safe and taking care of one another. Here are some new items I’ve added to my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com this week.

Nikon D50 DSLR with AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5G ED Zoom Lens

Hi all! I have a very nice classic Nikon DSLR from 2005 – it’s been fully tested, it’s super clean, and works 100%. The Nikkor lens is super sharp and focuses quickly and accurately. The lens can mount on any F mount body and can focus both with autofocus and manually.