Yashica Pentamatic Lenses

January 9, 2025January 9, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Yashica Pentamatic ’35’

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.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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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 © 2015-2025 Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris (Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic), Chris Whelan. All rights reserved.

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.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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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.

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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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.

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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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.

Tuesday’s Camera – Nikon F

June 27, 2023July 5, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

This one is from late 1971 or early 1972

I love the clean lines and “simple” design. A forever classic. Which is your favorite Nikon? Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out my camera shop CC Design Studios at http://www.ccstudio2380.com – it’s hosted by Etsy so shipping is nearly worldwide. – Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

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

On the docks, Hong Kong 1979

February 18, 2022February 18, 2022Chris and Carol 1 Comment

Aberdeen docks, Hong Kong 1979.

Camera and Lens – Canon F-1 with Canon FD 80-200 f4 zoom lens.

Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

Yashica Electro 35 GT

November 19, 2021November 19, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I’ve decided to sell my very nice Yashica Electro 35 GT camera. I recently purchased it from the original first owner in my local camera shop. It’s working perfectly after I installed a fresh battery and battery adapter. The meter is accurate and the lens is crystal clear. This model of the Electro 35 features semi-auto exposure shooting. What I mean by that is you obviously set the film’s ASA (ISO) rating then select the correct exposure based on the brightness of the subject and the camera will set the proper shutter speed. There are warning arrows that are visible inside the viewfinder that will warn if the scene is too bright or dark for the f-stop you’ve selected. I’m making it sound more complicated than it actually is. Let’s say it’s a bright sunny day and you’re shooting with a film rated at 200 ASA. You’d set the exposure (f-stop) to let’s say f/8. You could walk around taking shots and except for manually focusing never change the exposure settings. The camera will automatically adjust the shutter speed. It’s perfect for black & white street photography.

The Electro 35 GT features a fast f/1.7 lens which makes this camera ideal for low light situations with fast film. The Yashinon DX lens is super sharp too and at 45mm it’s perfect for 35mm photography.

Here is the new battery with the adapter. About $13 from a seller in Spain. It allows you to use a very common alkaline battery since mercury batteries are banned.

It has a simple top plate with ASA settings from 25 to 1000. The two lights warn of exposures outside the proper exposure range. The meter turns on when you advance the film and shuts off after your shot.

Super nice 35mm rangefinder camera from Yashica.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! – 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, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris, Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris.

wordless wednesday

July 7, 2021July 7, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Yashica’s last TLR – Chasing a True Classic!

May 27, 2021May 27, 2021Chris and Carol 2 Comments

Yashica’s (Kyocera by this point) last TLR model. This one was part of the last run of the model before production shut down in 1986. Yashica (originally named Yashima) started off in 1953 with the obscure Pigeonflex TLR followed by the Yashima Flex and then continued to build TLRs way longer than the market could bear (or need). The good news is that the 124G can be found today in great quantities and cameras as “young” as 35 years-old.
It’s a very affordable way to get into medium format photography and in the case of this model, be able to use both 120 and 220 roll film giving you either 12 or 24 exposures.

After about 33 years of making TLRs, this was Yashica’s best.

A beauty – here’s what a modern TLR looked like back in 1985.

The design of the last box that held the 124G (1985-1986).

This gorgeous camera was the first to carry the company name – Yashica Flex made in 1954.

For contrast, compare the Yashima Flex to the Yashica Mat 124G. Their excellent build quality remained throughout the decades. If you’re chasing one of these for your collection you’re in luck because Yashica made a bunch of 124Gs and there’s a bunch still out there. Expect to pay a premium for mint examples but be careful, they’re still older cameras and a host of bad things can happen to them from lack of use and improper storage. Ask lots of questions of the seller if you’re buying online and look for sellers with excellent reputations for selling quality classic and vintage cameras. BTW, not too many of the original Yashima Flex cameras will look like my example pictured above. I was so very lucky to buy mine from the original owner in Japan who obviously kept it in pristine condition both physically and mechanically.

Rare State of the Union images of Reagan by Eastman Kodak – 1987

May 14, 2021May 14, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Until I was asked to sell these framed images by a client I never realized just how uncommon (rare?) pictures of the State of the Union were. Google it and you’ll find virtually nothing. They’ll be some screen grabs from C-Span and a stray shot here and there but these types of images (seen below) are just not there.

From a historical point of view, President Reagan addressing the 100th Joint Session of Congress was pretty significant as it marked a major milestone in our country’s history and the history of our style of government.

Vice-President George Bush (left) and Speaker of the House Jim Wright sit behind Reagan.

Some background as it was passed on to me by my client. These images were photographed by professional Kodak photographers who were given exclusive access to document the address to Congress on that historic night. The Kodak photogs worked out of the Georgetown offices of Kodak during the 1980s. Only a few of these special edition images were ever produced (I believe only six) and none were released to the public or press. This special set was presented to and owned by a now-retired Kodak executive that worked at the White House during the Reagan and Bush administrations. These are original color prints made from the negatives as I understand it, the negatives were given to the White House historian.

If you’d like to own this framed 26 x 22 inch pop on over to my Etsy camera shop and I’ll put something together for you.

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