The Canon New F-1 Los Angeles 1984 Olympics Edition.
Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day! – Chris
Be sure to stop by my always open camera shop hosted by Etsy 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.
Copyright © 2015-2020 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.
Thanks for stopping by and remember to stay safe out there! – Chris
Be sure to visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com for some pretty interesting classic cameras, lenses, and photogear.
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.
Copyright © 2015-2020 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.
Here’s a small sample of some of the items we have in our camera shop right now at http://www.ccstudio2380.com
As with everything we sell in our online shop, we test, clean, inspect each and every piece before describing and depicting it accurately in our listings – always lots of clear, detailed, and well-lighted images to make it easier for you to feel comfortable with your purchase. We can ship almost worldwide through our Etsy partnership and we accept most forms of payment. See something you like and have a few questions? Contact us at ccphotographyai@gmail.com. If there’s something you’ve been looking for we may have it in our collection. Let us know what it is and we’ll be glad to share it with you.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! – Chris & Carol
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.
Copyright © 2015-2020 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.
Leotax TV advertisement from Asahi Camera Yearbook 1958. Other than this ad, I haven’t seen any other mention that the TV was also known as the Silhouette. Leotax went on to name two other cameras – Merite and Elite.
It’s important to point out that Leotax, for the most part, did not engrave the names of their cameras on the top plates so you won’t find cameras that have Silhouette, Merite, or Elite on them. So far I’ve seen these names in advertisements, in a sales brochure, and on a box.
My box with the name Merite vice Merit as it is incorrectly known.
Flyer from 1959 clearly shows the camera as being the Merite.
If you’d like to know more about the Leotax Camera Company please visit my good friend Paul Sokk’s site at http://www.yashicatlr.com/Leotax.html. Paul’s done an excellent job at compiling some of the best information anywhere about Leotax (and a bunch of other things too).
Thanks for stopping by and if you have anything you’d like to share with me about Leotax please do so in the comments. I would especially like to see more examples of Leotax boxes and advertisements (and brochures). – Chris
Be sure to visit my camera shop hosted by Etsy 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.
Copyright © 2015-2020 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.
The latest model camera depicted here is the Yashica YE (bottom center) but not yet the Yashica-Nicca 35 YF which was released in the latter part of 1959 (maybe September).
I haven’t been able to identify the model posing with the Yashica camera, some say he’s Mr. Banks from Mary Poppins. The mustache is wrong and the wink and the pipe seem to be some sort of known look of the guy. Thanks for stopping by! – Chris
David Cecil MacAlister Tomlinson – as Mr. George Banks – 1964
Asahi Camera magazine advertisement from 1953. Download courtesy of Paul Sokk http://www.yashicatlr.com
A very clean and streamlined design gives this camera a rather modern look even by today’s standards.
The standard lens is a Tomioka Optical Company Tri-Lausar f/3.5 4.5cm
A simple top plate features a film advance lever (far right) tucked into the upper right corner of the backplate. Maybe a first for a Japanese made 35mm camera.
A closer view of the film advance lever. Advancing the film did not charge the shutter.
Below is a scan of the original instruction sheet supplied with the Model III.
Pigeon Model III
My Pigeon Model IIA from 1952. This gorgeous camera is no longer in my collection.
These Shinano Pigeon 35 cameras are an interesting collectible but so far after owning two of them I’ve yet to be able to shoot a roll of film. The Model IIA pictured above had a non-functioning focus lever that somehow became detached internally. I didn’t catch that it wasn’t right until after I sold it. The Model II that I recently acquired at auction has two major problems. Again the focus lever did not work as it was frozen in the infinity position probably from lack of use and the second problem was that although the film advance lever moved it did not advance the film. That might have been a simple fix but since the focus lever wasn’t working I won’t try to get it repaired. The Tomioka lenses on both cameras were clean and clear and the shutters sounded accurate.
My advice is to proceed with caution before purchasing these early cameras as they are approaching nearly 70 years since they were made. Things happen over time and unless you’re a talented repairperson expect these to simply look good in a collection of early Japanese 35mm cameras.
Thanks for stopping by and be sure to visit my camera 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.
Copyright © 2015-2020 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.
The first and only dual-branded camera from Yashica, the YF is a 35mm rangefinder camera that uses interchangeable L39 screw-in mount lenses (made by a variety of lens producers). Here it’s mated with its original Yashinon f/1.8 5cm lens.
The Yashica YF is rather unique in its design and a break from the more traditional Leica-like cameras of the 1950s. The YF was first produced in July 1959 and according to the serial numbers, ended its run by September 1959 with just a little over 6,200 made.
The camera back features an easy to open film door that made loading 35mm film cassettes a breeze. Very similar to the Nicca Type-5 but its door swung to the right.
Shown with the film door and baseplate completely removed.
The serial number shown here decodes to August 1959 number 1,603rd made since the start of production in July.
Another neat feature of the YF is that the film advance lever was located in a slot on the upper right of the top plate which made advancing the film and cocking the shutter super easy.
The single eyepiece is late and provides a clear view through the rangefinder.
The perfectly placed rangefinder windows afforded a bright view and easy focusing.
An original sales brochure from late 1959.
The original instruction booklet in English.
From a Yashica sales brochure from around mid-1960.
Thanks for stopping by and be sure to visit my camera 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.
Copyright © 2015-2020 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.
Hi all – happy Friday! Here’s some of the newest items in my Etsy hosted camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com
Almost everything in my shop is offered at a 10% discount and some even include free shipping in the USA. I ship internationally too.
Is there something you’ve been looking for? I may have it in my collection and just haven’t posted it yet. Ask and I may have.
I will be offering my Minolta SR-T 202 with matching MC Rokkor-X f/1.7 50mm lens shortly. The additional good news is that both will come in their original Minolta factory boxes! One-owner and fully functional. Stay tuned. – 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.
Copyright © 2015-2020 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.
Released in late 1981, this camera proceeded the T* Series and was a good seller for Yashica.
At its introduction, the 5 Star was still made in Japan at Yashica’s modern factory in Okaya, Nagano Prefecture. I understand that later models were made in Hong Kong (with parts made in Japan). Kyocera acquired Yashica in late 1983.
Yashica’s goal was to deliver a simple high-quality 35mm camera with a fast lens. At the time of its release, the maximum ASA setting was only 400.
Almost drop-in loading – the user still had to extend the film leader to a take-up point before closing the camera’s back cover.
A rather unique lens cap that covered the viewfinder and auto-focus windows.
Complete kit with the exception of Yashica’s marketing figurine. Yashica’s Sailor Boy holds the camera while telling the world about its arrival.
About $190 USD in late 1981 at 230 yen to the dollar.
Yashica’s ‘Sailor Boy’ announcing the release of the 5 Star.
Thanks for stopping by and if you get a chance to use this camera by all means do so. I think you’ll be pleasantly pleased. As always, please stop by my Etsy camera shop as I’ve added a few neat items recently (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.
Copyright © 2015-2020 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.
Everything is discounted at least 10% and many come with free USA shipping. I can mail almost anything worldwide and if there’s something that you’ve been looking for I just may have it. You can email me at ccphotographyai@gmail.com
Have a safe and happy day and thanks for stopping by! – 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.
Copyright © 2015-2020 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.
Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris 