Finally! (again)

July 9, 2023July 9, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

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.

Ugh!

July 9, 2023July 9, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Unwanted “gift”. I recently purchased several bits of vintage photo gear and discovered this hidden gem. From the outside of the battery magazine, there was only a hint of corrosion but after removing the end panel the full extent of the corrosion became apparent. It’s beyond recovery so I was luckily able to order a replacement. Just a reminder to be always checking your seldom-used equipment for hidden and forgotten batteries. In this case AA batteries.

Check your gear and thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Nikon’s Little Gem – L35AF Set from 1983

July 5, 2023July 5, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Complete set – the original box with matching serial numbers and papers.

Nikon L35AF 35mm compact point & shoot classic from the early 1980s. Nikon’s finest.

Beautiful Nikon L35AF 35mm compact point & shoot camera set. It’s been professionally serviced and film tested – ready for another 40 years of service. It’s available in my camera shop at www.ccstudio2380.com
Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Nikon F 35mm SLR Camera with Photomic-T Finder from 1967

July 5, 2023July 5, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

It’s one of those camera profiles that even non-camera people will recognize (old movies, vintage print advertisements) instantly. The original Nikon F with a metered (light meter) viewfinder head.

Nikon F set from late 1967 with matching instruction booklets (and cap).

Nikon F Photomic-T with Nikkor-S Auto 50mm f1.4 lens. It’s been used but not abused through the years – notice the brassing around the ASA dial on top.

Original advertisement for the Nikon F from 1960. It’s shown here without the metered viewfinder (Photomic).

Actress Katharine Ross with her Nikon and motor drive.

I haven’t had the opportunity to shoot with my new to me Nikon but it’s in the queue. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Happy SUNday! – Holiday Weekend

July 2, 2023July 2, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

The 4th of July weekend is well underway here on Amelia Island. The beaches are quite busy and as always, the City of Fernandina Beach is out in full force protecting our locals and tourists alike.

Image captured with my Kodak EasyShare CCD digicam.

The Kodak EasyShare Z1015 IS is a wonderful “mini-bridge” 10.1 MP digital camera that produces film-like images. It’s amazing just how nice these cameras are with CCD sensors. It’s available in my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

What makes this camera a standout is the super sharp Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon 28mm to 420mm 15x optical zoom lens. The camera stands head and shoulders above other CCD sensor cameras from that period. Shooting with a “vintage” digicam is a rewarding experience.

A 10.1-megapixel CCD sensor and HD video. It consistently captures the most life-like images.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out the other cameras and photo gear in my shop at CC Design Studios at http://www.ccstudio2380.com – Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Tuesday’s Camera – Nikon F

June 27, 2023July 5, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

This 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

Happy SUNday!

June 25, 2023June 25, 2023Chris and Carol 2 Comments

Unique Toyota pickup tailgate bench.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

wordless wednesday

June 21, 2023June 21, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful evening! Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Yashica Electro 35 – 1966

June 18, 2023June 18, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Yashica’s first electronically controlled camera (aperture priority) jump-started Yashica’s role in electronic photography.

This one is from 1968 and features the <E.P> mark on the cold shoe indicating that it was likely sold at a US military exchange store and was tax exempt or “Exempt Purchase”.

Super sharp and fast Yashinon-DX 45mm f/1.7 lens.

It’s a very handsome camera representing the best of Yashica’s design team for that period. The Yashica TL Electro X wouldn’t have been developed without this groundbreaking camera.

The later enhanced version (gold contacts).

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Yashica-Tomioka Macro Lens

June 12, 2023June 12, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

This beautiful lens is now available in my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com – Chris

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

One of our favorite lenses in the Yashica family. A rather fast f/ 2.8 60mm macro lens made by Tomioka Optical Co., Ltd. of Tokyo for Yashica. 5 elements in 4 groups… it’s capable of life-size (1:1) macro photography. As Yashica describes this lens… “By far the most effective lens for close-ups, copying and macrophotography, as well as general photographic work. Features a new optical glass element, and is fully compensated for all aberrations. Designed to ensure maximum brightness and extremely sharp results. Particularly effective for close-ups of moving subjects (??) and macrophotography without using bellows.” Not sure about the moving subjects part as the depth of field is very shallow.

Weighs in at around 400 grams and can focus down to 0.235 meters. Filter size is 58mm and of course it has the versatile M42 screw-in mount (Praktica).

003 Macro Yashinon 60mm f/ 2.8 lens built by Tomioka Optical for…