Yashica Mat-124: A classic 6×6 twin-lens reflex camera from the late 1960s.

December 26, 2024December 26, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

The Yashica Mat-124 is an exceptional camera that does everything you’d expect from a well-designed, light-catching machine. The first units rolled off the assembly line in the summer of 1967, and the last just three years later in 1970. It was the last TLR Yashica made just before releasing its replacement, the Mat-124G. The 124G had lots of plastic parts and, for the first time, came in primarily all-black. The 124G had a long run that ended in 1986. Here is my Mat-124.

The built-in CdS light meter is activated by opening the viewing hood. The camera uses a 1.35v PX625 mercury replacement battery like the popular Wein Cell.

It features dual Yashinon lenses. The taking lens (bottom) is 80mm f/3.5, while the viewing lens (upper) is 80mm f/2.8. The fast f/2.8 viewing lens makes for a bright image in the viewing hood, which makes it easier to compose and focus an image.

The crank on the camera’s right side advances the film and cocks the shutter.

The focus knob is on the left side, as is the battery compartment and cold shoe.

On the bottom, a large knob is how you gain entry into the film chamber.

The Mat-124 uses either 12-exposure 120 films or 24-exposure 220 films. The back of the taking lens can be seen on the far right in this image.

Looking down at the match needle light meter.

This gem of a camera is available for purchase in my Etsy camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com.

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

Vivitar Series 1 24-70mm f/3.8-4.8 Lens Test

December 17, 2024December 17, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

It’s no secret that I enjoy using classic (vintage) lenses on modern mirrorless digital cameras. It’s a fantastic way to test an older lens and “see” things differently. Many of the older film camera lenses were designed to produce a specific look, given the era in which they were made. I believe that lenses from the 1950s have a different look to the images made compared to a more modern lens made in the 1980s.

This Vivitar lens was released in 1988 and was made by the Japanese lens maker Cosina from a design by Vivitar. I’ve attached the lens to my Fujifilm X-T2, which has a crop factor of 1.5. At 70mm, the lens has an equivalent focal length of 105mm.

It does make a handsome combo mounted on the Fuji. Have I mentioned how much I enjoy my X-T2?

The lens has lots of metal and glass; compact wouldn’t be how I’d describe it compared to a similar zoom lens from today. It has 11 elements in 10 groups and a large 67mm filter ring.

It was cloudy and late afternoon when I shot this plant outside my studio window. I believe it is at f/11 ISO 400, 105mm equivalent.

My garden gate at about 24mm (36mm equivalent).

Bald cypress tree in its late autumn blaze. 105mm equivalent (70mm).

I checked on eBay, and there isn’t another one of these lenses for sale currently or recently sold. It’s actually relatively uncommon. I like the images it produces. I have it in my Etsy shop if you are interested. Canon FD mount. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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Not sure about this one.

December 14, 2024December 14, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

A reader sent me these pictures of his Yashica TL Electro X ITS camera and asked if I knew anything about this version. I hadn’t seen a gold and lizard skin Yashica before (Contax, yes; Yashica, no).

I’ve seen similar lizard skin coverings, but from the image, it’s difficult to tell if it would have been applied at the factory.

The serial number indicates it was made in August 1970.

The plating quality looks sub-par, but it’s pretty worn again, so it’s difficult to tell.

Here is a genuine gold Contax camera with lizard skin coverings that’s presently for sale on an online auction site (see below).

This one is in new condition, so comparing the two cameras is difficult. Yashica joined Contax in 1975 to create a new line of modern Contax-branded cameras.

I suppose Yashica or one of its distributors might have made this gold TL Electro X version, but if they did, they left off the ‘ITS’ logo (badge) that would have been on the camera’s front just to the left of the lens. See an example of a genuine TL Electro X ITS camera below.

What do you think? Genuine or not? Ultimately, it’s his camera, and if he likes it, then great. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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Canon’s ‘mysterious’ green camera.

December 13, 2024December 13, 2024Chris and Carol 2 Comments

The Canon OD F-1, as it is referred to by Canon here: https://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/film95.html

“The Canon OD F-1 (released in March 1978) is a color-variation model of the F-1(later model) released in 1976. OD stands for Olive-drab, the camera’s body color, which was reminiscent of the U.S. army and a color popular with young people. Its specifications are the same as the F-1 (later model).” The preceding is a direct quote from Canon’s website.

I say mysterious only because Cano was tight-lipped about it when it was released in early 1978. No official documentation exists other than that it was made, but no explanation of why it was made and in such limited quantities (estimated between two to three thousand). It’s not a military camera; it wasn’t made for the US Army or the Japanese forces, and other than being olive drab, it bears no markings that differ from a regular black Canon F-1 of the same period. Here is the only known supporting documentation.

The cover page of a flyer that wasn’t published until early 1980 and only released in Japan.

The back page of the flyer. I’m not sure this flyer was published by Canon. When the camera was released, it didn’t include a lens, only the body. The camera depicted has a zoom lens, which wasn’t original to the set.

The set was issued by Canon in early 1978.

Complete sets such as this command appropriate attention and value among collectors.

The set included a special olive drab case.

My fully decked-out OD F-1.

I’ve attached a power winder and what would have been the correct era lens for the body.

I’ll have more about the camera in future posts. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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I got my Canon big shot! (finally)

December 11, 2024December 12, 2024Chris and Carol 2 Comments

Of course, the show’s real star is my Canon EOS R mirrorless digital camera at an impressive 30.3 megapixels. Canon’s white lenses are legendary for their performance under the most challenging situations and conditions.

Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM super telephoto lens with a Canon Extender EF 1.4x II. Combined, it has a focal length of 420mm.

Also included is a Canon Adapter EF-EOS R to mount EF lenses on the EOS R camera bodies.

Plane spotting at the local municipal airport. EMBRAER EMB-505 PHENOM 300 – 2013 Model

2002 DASSAULT-BREGUET MYSTERE FALCON 900
N107GL
At Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport
Canon EOS R
Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM
Canon Extender EF 1.4x II
420mm

EMBRAER EMB-505 PHENOM 300 – 2013 Model
N304QS
At Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport
Canon EOS R
Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM
Canon Extender EF 1.4x II
420mm

Sharp and clear. Handheld at 300mm is a bonus, thanks to the image stabilization built into the lens.

The Canon EOS R is a full-frame mirrorless digital camera that accepts EF and RF lenses. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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New cameras in my shop – just in time for Xmas!

December 10, 2024December 10, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I have a few camera sets from my extensive collection just in time for the holiday gift-giving season. Some of these cameras, along with their original boxes, are rare in their mint and new condition. I’ve serviced each one and thoroughly tested them with film where necessary. My Etsy shop is at http://www.ccstudio2380.com.

Classic Canon A-1 with a Canon NFD 50mm f/1.8 lens and limited edition 1980 Winter Olympics Lake Placid lens cap.

A Canon FT QL 35mm SLR. This was released just before the Canon F-1 was released in the summer of 1971. The FT is built like a tank and will probably outlast us all.

A favorite! The 1994 Contax RX is pretty close to the perfect film camera. Add a Contax Carl Zeiss T* lens, and you have photographic excellence.

Attention Pentax fans. This is an Asahi Pentax SL from around 1968. It is in perfect condition inside and out and fully serviced. It is ready for film and ready for your next photo walk.

Rare, rare, and more rare. From 1978, a completely new and never used Nikon F2A with its original box and certified Nikon USA 25th Anniversary Edition.

Canon’s Black Beauty is a close cousin to the famous Canon F-1 but with some significant differences. In addition to a fully manual mode, it can shoot automatically in shutter priority mode. You select the shutter speed, and the camera sets the proper aperture. It can electronically time the shutter to up to a 30-second exposure. It’s one of Canon’s best designs from the mid-1970s.

This is a rare Nikon blue canvas messenger bag. It was released in limited quantities as a promotional item around the same time as the F2A and F2AS in the late 1970s. It’s new and never used, making it a perfect gift for a Nikon collector.

Thanks for stopping by and allowing me to shamelessly promote my camera shop! – Chris

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Friday Fotos! – some recent cameras featured from my collection.

December 6, 2024December 6, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

This is a fully dressed Canon F-1. The body is my 1978 original, with the addition of the Canon Servo EE Finder, a Canon FD 55mm f/1.2 chrome nose lens, and Canon Motor Drive MF. It’s crazy heavy.

This is an Asahi Pentax SL from 1968 with a super-sharp Asahi Super-Takumar f/1.8 55mm lens. It’s a basic camera with a mechanical shutter and no built-in meter. It’s a gem in all-black paint. This one is available for purchase in my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com.

Officially known as the Canon OD F-1. The ‘OD’ indicates olive drab. It was a limited edition F-1 made in early 1978 and in limited quantities. Possibly just over 2,000 made. I’ve also added a Canon Power Winder F and a Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 S.S.C. lens from 1978. Canon didn’t color-match any accessories or lenses to this special version. Sharp and cool.

**Photographic Excellence**
One of the reasons I enjoy using my Fujifilm X-T2 is that it handles like my favorite Contax RTS. I use the Yashica lens and its cousin, the Carl Zeiss Planar f/1,7 50mm lens, equally. Both are made in the same factory from similar-quality glass. By the way, the Yashica f/1.7 lens is heavier than the Planar if weight equals quality.
Fujifilm X-T2 from 2016 and the Contax RTS from 1976.

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I’m back with more cameras, photo gear, lenses, and of course, more images!

December 5, 2024December 5, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Fernandina Beach (Florida) Historic District.

Contax RX
Contax Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5 Lens.
Fujifilm Neopan Professional Acros 100II Film.
Straight scans from The Darkroom – no editing. I couldn’t be happier with the results.

Nassau County (Florida) Historic Courthouse on Centre Street.

It is a beautiful and well-balanced camera set. The RX was first released in 1996, towards the end of Contax’s 35mm film era. Yashica was long gone by then.

If you’re in Fernandina, you must have a few pirates along the street. Shown here just outside the Palace Saloon.

Our pirate friend in color. Canon EOS R with Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM lens.

There you have it. My latest photowalk in our lovely historic district. If you are ever near Amelia Island, you must pop on by for a visit. I highly recommend the Canon EOS R system, lenses, and Contax RX. The Carl Zeiss lenses made for the Contax line are absolutely incredible.

Parting shot.

My limited edition Nikon F2A 25th Anniversary set is in my camera shop. This is the one if you want to purchase a completely new and unused camera from 1978.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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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.
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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

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Contax RTS Serial Number(s)

January 18, 2024January 18, 2024Chris and Carol 3 Comments

In the Contax RTS instruction booklet, the baseplate pictured either has a “real” serial number or one “made up” by the marketing department. RTS models out in the wild don’t have a serial number that is easy to decode (date manufactured), but this one does, at least if you know how to read Yashica serial numbers. I interpret this SN as February 1975 (502), and its number is 166.

The original instruction booklet (dated 06/76) has an 8-digit SN.

My RTS baseplate has serial number 087024, which looks nothing like the serial number in the instructions.

Here is a baseplate from an RTS-Fundus Scientific / Medical camera. I see 091238. I don’t see a date code in there – do you?

Anyway, this is just a quick post to gather my thoughts. Do you own a Contax RTS first model? I’d like to see more serial numbers as a pattern may appear. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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Yashica cameras and so much more!

Tag Cameras

Yashica Mat-124: A classic 6×6 twin-lens reflex camera from the late 1960s.

Vivitar Series 1 24-70mm f/3.8-4.8 Lens Test

Not sure about this one.

Canon’s ‘mysterious’ green camera.

I got my Canon big shot! (finally)

New cameras in my shop – just in time for Xmas!

Friday Fotos! – some recent cameras featured from my collection.

I’m back with more cameras, photo gear, lenses, and of course, more images!

My Asahi Pentax H2

Contax RTS Serial Number(s)