Nikon F Photomic T and a Nikon F2 Photomic A. The F is from around 1967, and the F2 is from 1978.Nicca 3-S and a Pentax ME Super. The Pentax is only slightly larger than what was considered to be a miniature camera in the 1950s, the Nicca 3-S 35mm rangefinder.
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
Yashicaflex Rookie by Yashima Optical Industry Company, Limited (Yashica by 1958).
It’s rarely seen outside Japan, where it was an inexpensive medium-format 6x6cm 120 film camera. The only item I’m missing is the inner ‘presentation box.’ The outer shipping box is pictured. It was marketed to the first-time camera user as an uncomplicated camera that even a rookie could use.
It’s pictured with its cousin, the Yashica model A.
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
Canon NFD 24mm f/2.8 lens. I should have used a yellow or orange filter.My 1978 Canon F-1 loaded and ready to go on a photo walk.Canon NFD 24mm f/2.8 lens.I got better results using the meter in the F-1 when using a 1.35v Wein Cell.Canon NFD 24mm f/2.8 lens. A slightly better exposure.The World-famous Palace Saloon, Fernandina Beach Historic District.
Processing and scans were done by The Darkroom at medium resolution. The images below I used a 625A 1.5v battery which, on average made the camera’s meter two stops off.
Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 SSC lens. In the tight confines of the historic district, a 50mm lens isn’t my favorite lens to shoot with. I’m a wide-angle lens guy.OK exposure but, I’m not happy with it.Missed it by a country mile!Canon OD F-1 with a Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 SSC lens (my original lens from 1978).
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
We recently acquired this lens for our Yashica Pentamatic collection. Why is it important? It’s a great find because it’s the first time we’ve encountered a lens with a lower serial number than one pictured in an advertisement (in this case, the first-ever ad for the Pentamatic, June 1960). We know it is total nerd stuff, but that’s what makes collecting fun.
The lens was made for Yashica by Tomioka Optical, which at the time made about 90% of all their lenses (TLR, SLR, RF, and Cine).
The lens serial number decodes 59 = 1959, 10 = OCT, and 0092, the 92nd lens made since production started.
In the second image, the other lens was made in December and was the 1,630th made. Tomioka was busy producing these lenses long before Yashica released the Pentamatic in March 1960. The first Pentamatic bodies were made in January.
The third image shows an early Yashica Tominon Super Yashinon-R f/2.8 3.5cm wide-angle lens SN 350246. The date code was dropped in favor of a simpler code: 35 = 35 mm, and 0246 is the sequence number since the start of production.
The ad shows a lens with a higher production number than the lens we own. 92 indicates it was made in the first batch of 100 lenses.The October lens is on the left and the December lens is on the right. No November lenses were made.From an early batch of wide-angle lenses from Tomioka Optical. This one is number 246.A fast lens from Tomioka. The f/1.2 55mm lens which was made much later in the M42 screw mount.
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
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
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
Here is a new flash in its original box, Canon Speedlite 244T, that I received from a recent purchase on eBay. The seller has since refunded me, but this serves as a reminder to never leave batteries, especially AA batteries, in your cameras and other accessories. This “new” flash had these Philips batteries installed at some point, but the owner forgot about them. What a shame that an otherwise neat collectible is now ruined.
I’ve seen worse corrosion before, but this is right up there with the worst.AA batteries in a flash unit can corrode in as little as a few months! These, however, have been left for decades.
Thanks for stopping by, and after reading this, please check your cameras. – 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
Asahi Pentax SL Set Super-Takumar f/1.8 55mm Lens Asahi Pentax Metal Hood Asahi Pentax Filter and Accessory Clip Asahi Pentax SL Operating Manual It’s been professionally serviced and looks and operates like new.
My beautiful set is from about 1969-1972. The instruction book is dated September 1969.
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
Have you ever regretted selling a camera before you got a chance to use it? I have (many times), and this is one I let get away.
My beautiful set. I didn’t want to take away from its mint-new condition, so I sold it without ever using it.
For a die-hard camera collector like myself, mint new camera sets are the pinnacle of collecting (for me, at least). After the chase is over, the reality of ownership sets in. Should I or should I not use my newly found toy? I have used its camera cousin, the Yashica T2, and found it an exceptional camera.
Here is another set that’s still new in its original box (as fresh as it was from the Nikon distributor back in 1978).
Have you owned a camera set that was essentially new and then never used it? Tell me in the comments. Happy New Year!
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
Many considered it a nearly perfect 35mm rangefinder camera when it was released in 1969. Does it have a few quirks that I don’t like? Sure, but the positives outweigh the negatives when used as an automatic exposure (AE) or electronic exposure (EE) camera. Simply compose, focus, and capture the light. Here is my SP.
It’s one of the best 35mm rangefinders in my collection.Simple and clean lines.ASA dial is on the camera’s left side.Hold the ‘Spot’ button while pressing the shutter to properly expose a subject when it’s backlit.The lens. At the heart of this exceptional camera is this fast and sharp G. Zuiko f/1.7 42mm lens. The ‘G’ indicates that the lens has 7 elements.I find the camera is straightforward to load. It opens nice and wide.The camera looks new except for a scratch in the chrome around the tripod socket.Brochure from around 1970.Sales guide.
As I downsize my collection of classic cameras it’s this beautiful Olympus’ turn to be passed along to another collector. It’s in my camera shop on Etsy at http://www.ccstudio2380.com.
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
Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris 