Happy SUNday! – Back to 1959

September 7, 2025September 12, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Three “new” cameras from 1959.
The Asahi Pentax H2 shown here in its Honeywell Heiland badges, the Canon Canonflex, and the Yashica Pentamatic ’35’. All three made their debuts that year, although the Yashica more formally in March 1960. The Asahi is the 4th pentaprism 35mm SLR after their original in 1957. The Canon and Yashica were their first-ever SLRs. The Asahi Pentax more or less set the standard for what a compact 35mm SLR would look like for the next decade. Not pictured with this trio is the Nikon F, which was also released that year.

Three gems from the late 1950s. These were the standard lenses that would have been attached as part of a ‘kit’.

This one is a beast! It’s about the same size and weight as the Canon F-1, which was released much later in March 1971.

Of the three, I think the Yashica has the cleanest design and looks the most modern for the time period.

It takes two hands to handle the Canon. The Canon’s lens is radioactive. Not quite enough to heat your dinner (I hope).

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram https://instagram.com/ccphotographyai

Facebook CC Photography of Amelia

Flickr Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

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

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. Copyright © 2015-2025 Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris (Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic), Chris Whelan. All rights reserved.

Petri Penta V – a classic or ugly duckling?

January 18, 2025January 18, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I know Petri has made several different camera models over the years, some of which I absolutely love and others, like this one, that I dislike. Is it a classic, or has it not aged well? It was released in 1969, so at that time, early SLRs weren’t especially stunners compared to the more refined models of the later 1960s. That said, I think the Asahi Pentax H2 from 1959 is one of the best-designed cameras from that era. The Nikon F is a stunning camera, but I dislike removing the base plate to load and unload film.

I admit, it would look better with a lens. Without a lens, it looks like a plumbing fixture.

A previous owner added the leatherette on the pentaprism, hiding the serial number. Does this add to or subtract from the camera’s appearance?

The tripod mount screw is moved forward under the lens mount; otherwise, it’s a simple base plate.

Here are my Asahi Pentax H2 from 1959 and my Yashica Pentamatic ’35’ from 1960 as a comparison.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram https://instagram.com/ccphotographyai

Facebook CC Photography of Amelia

Flickr 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

My Asahi Pentax H2

August 16, 2024August 16, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

My 1959-ish Asahi Pentax H2 with a fabulous Asahi Auto-Takumar f3.5 35mm lens and all of the period correct bits.
I’m a big fan of wide-angle lenses on 35mm cameras, even though a 35 is on the upper end of the focal length scale. Those few extra millimeters can make all the difference in group shots or when working in tight spaces in our historic district.
www.ccstudio2380.com

A modern-made leather half-case contrasts nicely with the vintage satin chrome metalwork.

Asahi Optical Auto-Takumar f3.5 35mm lens. Surprisingly, the early Takumar lenses didn’t usually have a matching Asahi Pentax lens cap. Some caps just had Takumar on them.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram https://instagram.com/ccphotographyai

Facebook CC Photography of Amelia

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. Copyright © 2015-2024 Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris (Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic), Chris Whelan. All rights reserved.

Asahi Pentax H2 – 1959

June 16, 2024June 16, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Hands down, it’s my favorite pre-1960s SLR. It just looks classic. A photo essay follows.

Fine lines on a classic that’s stood the test of time.

The H2 and the S2 were the same cameras released in different markets.

The heart of this camera is the classic Auto-Takumar f2 55mm gem.

There aren’t many ads out there with early Asahi Pentax content. I’m not sure if this is for the H2.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram @ccphotographyai

Facebook CC Photography of Amelia

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. Copyright © 2015-2024 Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris (Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic), Chris Whelan. All rights reserved.

Monday’s Camera – Asahi Pentax H2

May 3, 2021May 3, 2021Chris and Carol 2 Comments

I like their simple lines and I think they look uncluttered without the clunky self-timer lever stuck on its face.

M42 screw-in lens mount so most of my Yashinon (Tomioka) lenses will fit but not always correctly. The same goes for my Fujinon lenses.

Happy Monday! As I was surfing through my archives of cameras that have long since departed and I came across this little gem – the Asahi Pentax H2. I’ve always been fond of these, I guess I just like their look and the solid feel in your hands. I haven’t had much luck with them over the years as I almost always end up with a stuck in the up position mirror or some other shutter or film advance issue. They’re quite old now so a good CLA would bring them back. Too late for that with this one as it was purged in a big sell off years ago.

If you’re looking for an interesting classic camera to chase the H2 is worth your time and energy. As with all older SLRs look for the best you can afford. It may not work but it will look good sitting around.

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.

Happy SUNday! – Cameras

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

Random cameras from the collection.

Asahi Pentax H2 – 1959

Polaroid 350 – 1969 to 1971

Kodak Brownie Hawkeye Flash – 1950 to 1961 – uses 620 roll film.

Yashica-Kyocera Dental Eye III – 1997 to 2006 – 35mm film

All of these were in our collection in 2010 and 2011 and have since been sold to other collectors. Back then I favored using a blue background in my studio. My studio camera was a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful 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.

Asahi Pentax H2 – a favorite that I just keep letting go!

March 14, 2019March 15, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Every time I find a good looking H2 I sell it! What’s up with that?

I’ve owned more than a few of these over the years – some worked flawlessly and more than a few had shutter lock-up problems. They accept M42 screw-in lenses (just like my Yashicas) and I certainly have plenty of lenses to choose from but there’s something about the Asahi Pentax SLRs that keeps me moving on from them.

I think they look great, they generally feel good in my hand, and people swear by them. So why do I keep hunting for them only to sell them off after a short while? I usually sell them for just about what I paid for them so it’s certainly not the profit angle.

DSC02250 (2)

I think I know deep down what the reason is… I don’t need to start an Asahi Pentax collection and add to my already bursting at the seems camera collection. I’m not getting any younger so I should be selling, not buying!

Here are a few others that I no longer own –

30005826930_244deb6613_o

29674669193_332df817e5_o

This one was still mint in its original box but I still let it go.

A great camera that took giant negatives – I shot one roll and put it away. I sold this one about four years ago (it was so nice I was afraid to ding it).

14946815700_240c89e929_o

So when I’m bored I peek and poke around the Asahi Pentax aisles of my favorite auction sites – maybe I’ll stumble on a keeper one of these days, or maybe not.

15025830617_dc3b922bd6_o

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.

Always a Favorite – Asahi Pentax H2

January 12, 2018January 12, 2018Chris and Carol 4 Comments

Always a favorite with us the Asahi Pentax H2 – we like the clean lines and simple straightforward design. The H2 uses M42 mount lenses but can’t use all of the M42’s out there. Some Yashica and Fujinon M42 mounts aren’t always a good fit.

Here’s one from around mid-1960

If you can find a nice working H2 or S2 then we highly recommend it for your collection. They’re as manual as they come – no built-in exposure meter and a top shutter speed of only 1/500th of a second but their classic design win the day out in the field.

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to visit our online store at https://www.ccstudio2380.com

C&C ^.^

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!

Tag Asahi Pentax H2

Happy SUNday! – Back to 1959

Petri Penta V – a classic or ugly duckling?

My Asahi Pentax H2

Asahi Pentax H2 – 1959

Monday’s Camera – Asahi Pentax H2

Happy SUNday! – Cameras

Asahi Pentax H2 – a favorite that I just keep letting go!

Every time I find a good looking H2 I sell it! What’s up with that?

Always a Favorite – Asahi Pentax H2

Always a favorite with us the Asahi Pentax H2 – we like the clean lines and simple straightforward design. The H2 uses M42 mount lenses but can’t use all of the M42’s out there. Some Yashica and Fujinon M42 mounts aren’t always a good fit.