Canon F-1 35mm SLR

July 19, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Canon F-1 35mm single-lens reflex camera from 1975.

This beautiful Canon is part of my extensive Canon camera collection. Having said that, it’s time to pare down some of my collection. Besides being super clean, this camera has been fully tested and is working perfectly. I’ve installed new film door light seals and a new mirror bumper pad. It has a fresh battery and it will come with its original Canon nylon neck/shoulder strap, the original Canon body cap, and two Canon books. The instruction book is a high-quality copy dated 03/1975 and the F-1 sales brochure is dated 03/1978 and it’s an original.

The camera. If you’ve never had the opportunity to shoot with an F-1 then you’d be very happy with this camera. The F-1 is a professional grade camera designed to last a lifetime. It’s a pleasure to use and of course, it accepts all of Canon’s FD and FL lenses and a ton of accessories.

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It’s available at http://www.ccstudio2380.com and here in this post (see below).

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The original Canon F-1 is a fully manual camera – you control the focus, you set the lens aperture and shutter speed, and you determine the proper exposure using the thru-the-lens (TTL) built-in light meter. It’s film photography at its purest.

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This camera is available through my Etsy camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com of you can purchase it directly from this post.

Canon F-1 35mm SLR Film Camera

As described in the accompanying post. Fully serviced, tested and ready to roll. I'll mail it pretty much worldwide but please ask for a shipping quote for outside the US. Thanks, Chris

$194.75

Yashica 1958 & Yashica 2019

July 18, 2019July 18, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

The title is a bit misleading – well actually very misleading as Yashica (the original Japanese company) no longer exists. Yashica was acquired by Kyocera in 1983 and killed off by 2004. My good friend Paul Sokk and I have been on a quest to find some of Yashica’s old factory buildings and because Paul has a sharp eye for details, he was able to find Yashica’s factory in Shimosuwa (Nagano Prefecture) while conducting some research. The first image below is a scan from a sales brochure that I have from 1958.

Yashica’s main office building located on the factory campus in Shimosuwa, Nagano Prefecture, Japan in 1958.

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The same building as seen this April (2019). The company that currently operates from the building (Mutoh) has no ties to either Yashica or Kyocera. Photo courtesy of Paul Sokk.

Notice in the current picture that the building has had an addition added to its near side (enclosing a previous carport) and received a rather mundane paint job especially compared to what I’m sure was a very colorful design originally.

By the way, the current occupant, Mutoh Industries, Ltd., makes large format printing machines. More can be found here.

Aerial view of the Yashica factory campus with the office building (viewed from behind) in the center.

The Yashica gym and auditorium as seen today. Look at the aerial view in the image above this one to see the gym as it appeared in the late 1950s. Photo courtesy of Paul Sokk.

Many thanks to Paul Sokk and his wife Kathy for sharing photos from their most recent trip to Japan. Paul is the creator of THE site for anything about Yashica TLRs and early Yashica history the site can be found at www.yashicatlr.com

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.

Canon – World Cup 1986

July 13, 2019July 13, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Not often seen, a Canon 1986 World Cup T50 35mm SLR.

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The Canon T50 is an underrated camera (as is the T70). Built-in power drive and programmed automation made it a super simple 35mm SLR that used all of Canon’s FD lenses. If you wanted simple, fast and accurate the T50 and the T70 are great values in the used market.

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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.

Leotax Merite TV2 – 1958

July 8, 2019July 8, 2019Chris and Carol 4 Comments

While doing some research on late 1950s Japanese 35mm rangefinder cameras, I came across the Leotax brand. Their cameras are highly regarded by collectors and photographers alike. They have a reputation of being one of the better built Leica inspired models, especially during the early 1950s. I personally believe that Nicca built the best versions as I own several different models and I occasionally shoot with a Nicca 3-S.

My good friend Paul Sokk pointed out that a Leotax camera box in my collection has the name of the model spelled differently than the accepted norm – ‘Merite vs. Merit’. Intrigued we both started looking for proof as to the camera’s “real” name. The camera was also known as the model TV2.

My recently acquired Leotax Merite camera box (from Japan). Mérite in French.

“Excellent mechanism with the best technology”… Leotax Merite

Paul spotted this sales flyer from Leotax. The name ‘Merite’ is clearly spelled out. Notice that the camera itself does not have a name on it.

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Here’s a Merite camera (not verified) with a box that’s marked ‘TV2’ which was another name that the Merite was known by.

It’s interesting to note that the next camera in the Leotax line was called ‘Elite’. Another French word that would fit nicely with Merite. Is any of this definitive? No, but the fact that the flyer and the box match I would imagine that was and is the intended name.

For more about the Leotax Camera Company please visit here. The Merite is referred to by its improper name at the moment.

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.

Yashica TL Electro-X

July 6, 2019July 6, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

As I continue to downsize my collection, I’m offering this beautiful Yashica TL Electro-X for purchase. It’s also available in my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Yashica TL Electro-X 35mm SLR Film Camera with an Auto Yashinon 50mm f1.4 DS-M Lens from Tomioka Optical

This is a museum-worthy camera set from my personal collection of exceptional Yashicas. It's been inspected, fully tested and is ready to pass on to the next collector. For additional images of the set and a more detailed description of the camera please visit my camera shop and studio at http://www.ccstudio2380.com I mail practically worldwide (there are a few exceptions) and if it's purchased directly from this post I'll mail it for free, fully insured and tracked to your home or business.

$220.00

The camera was assembled in September 1973 at Yashica’s newest factory (at that time) which was located in Hong Kong – its bottom plate is stamped “HONG KONG” which is rarely seen today. The 50mm lens is an extremely fast f/ 1.4 designed and built by the famous Tomioka Optical Company (which was fully part of Yashica by this time).

This set will come to you with a fresh battery, the original Yashica 57mm lens cap, the proper instruction booklet (dated 09/73) and the Yashica booklet ‘Yashinon Lenses & Accessories’ (dated 08/73).

This is a great opportunity to acquire an important camera in not only Yashica’s history but in the history of 35mm SLR development.

Thanks for stopping by and good luck! – 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.

Single Shot Focus on the Yashica TL Electro-X

July 5, 2019July 5, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

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The Yashica TL Electro-X. It would not be an overstatement to say that this camera was Yashica’s most successful 35mm SLR – ever! I’m not sure what the total sales record is for this camera but success is measured beyond just the number of cameras sold. It was the first SLR with full electronic control of the shutter and it used an innovative LED display in the viewfinder to help adjust the camera for the proper exposure.

From Yashica: Electronically operated metal focal plane shutter with speeds from about 2 seconds to 1/1000 with in-between shutter speed settings possible, and B. Thru-the-Lens (TTL) light measuring system with IC computer and electronic exposure readout. It had a “brain”.

This gorgeous example is from my personal collection and it’s available for purchase in my Etsy camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

It includes the famous Tomioka Optical designed and built Auto Yashinon 50mm f1.4 DS-M lens. The camera and lens are in collector quality condition – full mint condition and the camera works as new. The lens is perfect and the glass is crystal clear. Adding to the uniqueness of this set is that the camera was built at Yashica’s new factory in Hong Kong in September 1973. The baseplate is appropriately marked “Hong Kong”.

Assembled in Hong Kong with parts made in Japan.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check it out in my shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

There’s plenty of awesome cameras available in the shop with more being added from my collection almost daily.

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.

In the Shop – New this week

June 30, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Some neat new items hit the shop this week and as always, every camera gets fully inspected, adjusted and cleaned by me. My cameras and photo gear are ready to be the centerpiece in your collection or ready to hit the streets for another exciting go at photography – guaranteed!

Here’s a small sample of what’s available at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

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My camera shop is hosted by Etsy so I accept most types of payments and can ship your purchases to almost anywhere in the world.

Happy shopping! – Chris

Happy SUNday! – Unopened Treasure

June 30, 2019June 30, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

It’s always a blast to find a camera set that’s still new in its original box. Of course, it also creates a bit of a dilemma – should I use what is still a new camera and “ruin” its newness or should I be happy with keeping it unused and therefore in mint condition?

This, on the other hand, presents a whole different ballgame. Should I remove the outer plastic wrap and play with my new find or leave it as is – still wrapped from the factory and obviously untouched (and unused by me)?

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The Fujifilm Zoom Date 135V with its Fujinon 38-135mm zoom lens was first released in the US in April 2004. In Japan, it’s known as the Silvi F135 and was listed at ¥ 29,400. It’s part of the well respected Silvi series of sophisticated compact 35mm film cameras that Fuji Photo was making as late as the mid-2000s.

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This set was available at Ritz Camera as late as July 2005 and would have been competing against digital cameras and affordable megapixels.

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Here’s what the camera looks like outside of the box. Tempting!

A modern classic from Fujifilm.

If you would like to be the next owner of this still new camera, it’s available in my Etsy shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day! – 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.

Contax Heaven – ‘Yashica, A New Horizon’

June 29, 2019June 29, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

The title refers to a not widely circulated Yashica marketing brochure that was sent to virtually all US camera dealers in early 1975. In it, Yashica informed dealers that they would directly distribute their products (including the Contax line) to them and that they had a direct representative in Yashica USA. Definitely a bold move by Yashica during a desperate time in their history (and struggle to stay solvent).

Here’s some eye candy from that brochure –

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How about finding this under the Christmas tree then or now?

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Really the first introduction of the partnership between Yashica and Contax.

The marketing brochure (cover) from 1975.

The original letter (not a copy) that was sent to each camera dealer in the US. Each was signed by the President (or more likely an underling).

I personally haven’t collected anything with the Contax branding but that hasn’t meant that I wouldn’t want to – just no more room for another branch in the collection.

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.

In the Shop – A Beautiful Canon 35mm A-1 Camera and Lens Set

June 27, 2019June 27, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

New in the shop today at http://www.ccstudio2380.com I have a beautiful Canon A-1 with its original Canon FD 50mm f1.8 lens from 1982. As with everything I feature in my shop, this classic Canon has been cleaned, inspected and tested and it’s ready to go.

This Canon A-1 set comes complete as pictured. I’ve installed a new battery and checked all of the functions of the camera and lens.

The A-1 was is still is one of the best auto exposure cameras that Canon made during this period. I addition to its automated features it also shoots in full manual mode. It’s perfect for the experienced pro as well as for the beginner.

Additional pictures of the camera and a complete description can be found at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

In the shop, I also have a wonderful Canon A-1 sales brochure filled with additional info about the cameras advanced features and functions.

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If you’re looking to complete the look I also have a couple of vintage and super cool Hippie camera straps that would look awesome with this camera or any camera in your collection.

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I’ll mail pretty much worldwide. The shop is hosted by Etsy so I accept all types of payments. http://www.ccstudio2380.com

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Have a great 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.

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

Yashica cameras and so much more!

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Canon F-1 35mm SLR

Canon F-1 35mm single-lens reflex camera from 1975.

Yashica 1958 & Yashica 2019

Canon – World Cup 1986

Leotax Merite TV2 – 1958

Yashica TL Electro-X

As I continue to downsize my collection, I’m offering this beautiful Yashica TL Electro-X for purchase. It’s also available in my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Single Shot Focus on the Yashica TL Electro-X

In the Shop – New this week

Happy SUNday! – Unopened Treasure

It’s always a blast to find a camera set that’s still new in its original box. Of course, it also creates a bit of a dilemma – should I use what is still a new camera and “ruin” its newness or should I be happy with keeping it unused and therefore in mint condition?

Contax Heaven – ‘Yashica, A New Horizon’

In the Shop – A Beautiful Canon 35mm A-1 Camera and Lens Set

New in the shop today at http://www.ccstudio2380.com I have a beautiful Canon A-1 with its original Canon FD 50mm f1.8 lens from 1982. As with everything I feature in my shop, this classic Canon has been cleaned, inspected and tested and it’s ready to go.