Making a good case for a nice bag…

Looking for a nice classic camera bag or case for your special and collectible camera? I’ve got some.

Classic Canon green and tan camera case.
Unique collaboration between Artisan & Artist and Canon. The only one I’ve seen in years.
ThinkTank and Canon CPS sling bag.

I have all three of these in my Etsy camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com if you are interested.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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

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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 WhelanAll rights reserved.

Canon F-1 Family

My original Canon F-1 from 1978 is on the upper left (with the motor drive)—the Canon O.D. F-1 is my most recent acquisition.
With their original instruction booklets.
With an early Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 chrome nose lens.
OD F-1. A limited edition olive drab version from early 1978.
My earliest model. The serial number indicates that this camera was in the first 20,000 built in 1971. It also has the <E.P> mark.
My only Canon New F-1 with AE Finder.

It’s one of my favorite 35mm SLRs in my collection.

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 WhelanAll rights reserved.

Canon’s amazing 35mm SLR, the EF (1973-1978)

In many ways, it’s better than the much more famous F-1.

It’s also known as the Canon Black Beauty. It’s built on the F-1’s frame but does not have interchangeable viewfinders or the ability to use a power winder or motor drive.

The EF was first released in 1973, just two years after the F-1. It was Canon’s first aperture-priority camera, well before the AE-1.
The standard lens is the Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 S.S.C. shown here with its lens hood.
Here, a Canon EF and its cousin, the Canon F-1. The F-1 is shown in a limited-edition olive drab.
Another EF in my collection.

The Canon EF is a worthy camera for your collection. The ability to electronically time exposures from 1/2 to 30 seconds accurately makes it more versatile than the F-1 in its base form.

From the Japanese instruction book.
The view in the viewfinder. The later EFs had a split-image and microprism focusing screen.
From my EF released in Japan.
An earlier EF with the FD 50mm F/1.8 S.C. lens.

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

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 WhelanAll rights reserved.

New in my Shop – lots of cool stuff

Visit my Etsy camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com.

Lots of Nikon gear!
Classic cameras and photo gear.
Always a bunch of Canon stuff!

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

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 WhelanAll rights reserved.

Lens Test – Vivitar 28mm f/2 Auto Wide-Angle Lens for Canon FD Mount

It’s a relatively rare lens (now) from the late 1970s to early 1980s. Kino Precision likely made the lens under the Kiron brand for Vivitar (started as Ponder & Best in the US). The serial number, SN 22810099, indicates the manufacturer (first two numbers), the year made (8=1978), the week (10=March 6-12), and the consecutive number for that week (099).

The lens is mounted via a K&F Concept FD-FX adapter. It is an older lens with the classic chrome breech lock ring used on Canon cameras starting in the early 1970s.
When I test classic film camera lenses, I almost always use my Fujifilm X-T2 as my platform. The effective focal length with a 1.5x crop sensor mirrorless camera is about 42mm (1.5 x 28).

It’s a heavy lens—288 grams (10.2 oz.) for its size—with lots of glass and brass. I couldn’t find the lens details, so I don’t know how many elements and groups it has. My guess is it has coated optics, as the later lenses have ‘MC’ on the front filter ring. It accepts 55mm filters.

My copy is infested with fungus and shows some haze deep inside. Here are some samples. It’s a shame, really, as the lens has the potential to be a good one. The fast f/2 aperture was not standard or common in a 28mm lens.

Under a bright LED, the internal haze and cloudiness are apparent. The image lacks sharpness.
Again, the fungus, haze, and general cloudiness take their toll.
Outside in dim sunlight, the color balance, as is the clarity, is off a bit.
The lack of detail is especially noticeable along the edges where the fungus filaments are the most evident.

Is it horrible? No, not really. Under the right conditions, it could make for some interesting mood shots. Can it be corrected? Yes, the internal elements and groups would need a deep cleaning.

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

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 WhelanAll rights reserved.

Canon and Nikon Classics

A couple of classics.

Which camp are you?

Can the Canon be considered a compact camera?

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

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 WhelanAll rights reserved.

Friday Fotos! Canon and Fujifilm

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).

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

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 WhelanAll rights reserved.

A reminder, never leave batteries in your photo gear.

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

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

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 WhelanAll rights reserved.

Original Canon Canonet – 1961

The original Canon Canonet 35mm rangefinder camera with a Canon 45mm f/1.9 lens. Based on its serial number, this one is likely from 1962 or 1963. It is the Version 3 with ASA to 400. The selenium cell meter has been working for all these years. The shutter sounds accurate on auto, but the aperture blades need service.

Canonet V3.
The selenium cell meter surrounds the Canon 45mm f/1.9 lens.
Simple lines on a simple camera.
The film advance is on the baseplate.

The Canonet line was hyper-successful for Canon, selling millions throughout its production.

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

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 WhelanAll rights reserved.


plane spotting

I spent part of my Saturday near the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airpot, photographing birds, the salt marsh, and distant bridges. I couldn’t pass up the chance to grab a few shots of airplanes passing overhead.

Piper PA-28-181. N222MN
Meridian Aircraft LLC
Wilmington, DE
Touch and goes at the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport (never ending).
Canon EOS R
Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM Lens
Boeing 737 MAX 8 makes an Approach to JAX. American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 makes a long, low approach to Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), as seen from Amelia Island, which is 15 miles to the NE of JAX.
Canon EOS R
Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM
Aero Commander 100. Also known as the Darter Commander and the Lark Commander.
c1968.
This one is registered to Elite Fleet Jacksonville LLC.
Practicing touch and goes at the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport, Amelia Island, Florida.
Canon EOS R
Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM Lens
Canon EOS R with Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM Lens.

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

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 WhelanAll rights reserved.