Here are just a few items in my Etsy camera shop from my collection of cameras and photo gear. Visit http://www.ccstudio2380.com to see these items in detail.
Canon and Contax.Asahi Pentax, Canon, Yashica, and Nikon.
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
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
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
“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.
My Canon OD F-1 with my homemade strap.
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
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
My Yashica Pentamatic collection. The Pentamatic ’35’, Pentamatic II, and the Pentamatic S. Also, the Yashica Penta J and a couple of Yashica Sailor Boys.Nikon F2A, Nicca 3-S, Contax 137 MD Quartz, and a Yashica FX-D Quartz.Nikon FT, Leica IIIg (awaiting new skins), and a Nikon FTn Photomic ‘Apollo’. In the back, a Yashica YT-300 radio.At the bottom are a Contax RX, Asahi Pentax H2, Yashica Flex S, and a Contax RTS.
‘GAS’, Gear Acquisition Syndrome. I do love collecting and occasionally using my classic film cameras. I lean towards Yashica and Contax, although more than a few Nikons have snuck in. By the way, these are Ikea cabinets. They offer high-quality metal and glass display cabinets at a great price. Thanks for stopping by, 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
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 ModelN304QS is ready for takeoff.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 420mmEMBRAER 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 420mm300mm at the local marina.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
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
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
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
None better. My Canon F-1 ‘Super Set’: a Canon F-1 body (1978), a Canon FD 55mm f1.2 Chrome Nose lens (1972), a Canon Motor Drive MF with Grip MF, and finally, a Canon Servo EE Finder. Everything is part of my collection, and everything works as designed. It is a tribute to Canon’s designers and engineers.
It stands tall. It’s not light—it’s not something you tote around on a photo walk. It’s shown here without the Servo-EE finder. It’s certainly better suited for a studio or at a fixed point at a sporting event.My original F-1 (body only) was purchased at the US Navy Exchange in Yokohama, Japan, in the summer of 1978. The f/1.2 lens and the motor drive were added much later.
I believe it will stay in my collection until I pass it along to another collector at a much later point. I must get serious about thinning my collection over this next year. I now have some very nice cameras in my Etsy camera shop that you may find interesting. Check it out at http://www.ccstudio2380.com. Thanks for stopping by, 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
After the prolonged heat and humidity of our Florida summer, a break in the weather sent me on a photo walk in the downtown historic district of Fernandina Beach, Florida (Amelia Island). I chose my Canon EOS R with my favorite lens, the Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM, and the Canon EF-RF adapter. I don’t use post-processing except for an occasional crop, as I like to see my digital images as they would have been if I had been shooting with film.
Happy to see me or just hungry?At 16mm.At 35mm. The 1876 Building along historic Centre Street.Flying Fish.We’re not known for having a large bear population, but you use what you have if you’re a shop owner. I like the yellow bug in the background.Always ready to plunder a buck or two.Happy trolley driver.Iconic Centre Street view.Local student artists were out and about painting shop windows. Coffee is an essential painting tool.Blue metal butterflies. Neat idea.Pirate Pete checking I.D.s at the Palace Saloon.My Canon EOS R and Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM lens.
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
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.
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
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.
Contax RX with Carl Zeiss lens.Nassau County (Florida) Historic Courthouse on Centre Street.Centre Street shops.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.The Fernandina Beach City Marina.Our pirate friend in color. Canon EOS R with Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM lens.More pirate action. Canon EOS R.
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.
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 