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
Whelan Drug Store on Long Island, New York. This one was in Hicksville (just north of Levittown, where I grew up). Same family name but no direct relationship. They were all over New York, and there was even one in Times Square.
Early 1950s on Long Island.Times Square in the 1930s.The less glamorous part of Times Square.
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
I’m aware of the Canon T-50 from the early 1980s, but I never knew about this version. I see nothing different about it other than the logo change. The T-50 was the first camera in the Canon T Series. *Not my camera or image.
Canon T-5 35mm SLR film camera. It looks like an authentic Canon-made logo and camera.Here is a regular T50 set (mine). Notice how different the fonts are.
Please share if you’ve seen this camera before. Thanks.
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
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
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
Part of the fun of collecting is when all of the bits come together. My Canon F-1 is from 1971, the first year of the F-1 (released in March). The lens is from late 1972 and is affectionally known as a chrome nose (for obvious reasons). The chrome filter is from 1963, but it would have still been the appropriate filter for this later lens. The lens hood is an all-metal model designed for this lens. Even the rear lens cap is correct.
It’s a beautiful lens that Canon described as a super-wide-angle lens back in the day.Top view with the correct front lens cap.
The beauty of collecting these early Canon F-1s is that they are still very affordable and still plentiful. Because of their popularity, they are easy to have professionally repaired and adjusted by qualified technicians at a reasonable price.
The early F-1. Serial numbers start at 100001, so my F-1 was number 2,597 and was assembled in July 1971.1971 price list. It wasn’t an inexpensive camera.
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
An early Canon wide-angle lens with its desirable chrome nose.
I enjoy collecting these lenses. They are from the very earliest days of the Canon F-1, and they have a heft to them that’s very reassuring. Lots of brass and glass. The lens weighs 290 grams.
Considering its age, the markings are super sharp and crazy clean.The JCII inspection sticker (the gold thingy) was likely placed before the lens was fully assembled.Canon stamped a date code on most everything it produced. Here, M1010 indicates the lens was completed and passed an internal inspection in October 1972. N = 1972 and 10 = October. The last two numbers are an internal code only known to Canon.Here is the lens mounted to my earliest Canon F-1 from late 1970 or early 1971.
The early chrome-nose Canon lenses are a fun way to collect classic camera gear. If you can find a nice, clean example, you won’t be disappointed.
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
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
I’m moving on from it. Enjoyed every minute of using and collecting all of the bits that make it special.
Everything works. Excellent condition.My set includes the super-sharp Nikkor 50mm f/2 Ai lens with hood, cap, and filter.With Nikon MD-2 motor drive.A joy to use.
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
I was able to find a Canon Motor Drive MF, still new in its box, recently. It is an early model built in February 1974. Obviously, it’s getting much more difficult to find unused camera gear from the seventies, and as a collector, it’s a thrill when you do.
Canon OD F-1 with all the extras. The ‘OD’ stands for the limited-edition Olive Drab camera made in 1978 by Canon for its home market. About 3k were made.I attached the motor drive to this camera to show off the contrast between colors.The chrome-nose Canon 50mm f1.8 lens is an early version of the lens. This one is mid-1971.The motor drive is in perfect condition and works perfectly. It was made in February 1974, and it’s an early version of the drive.No doubt, combined, it’s a beast, but surprisingly easy to use, as it fits my hand perfectly.It arrived still wrapped in the factory plastic.A snip from a Canon book from June 1973.Canon’s Motor Drive Unit. This was the first motor drive for the F-1.A Japanese sales brochure for the Canon OD F-1.
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
Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris 