Hi all! I’ve added some classic cameras and photogear in my Etsy shop this week at http://www.ccstudio2380.com – Thanks, Chris
Thanks for stopping by! – Chris
Tag Film
Rare Shinano Pigeon 35 Model IIA
Made by the Shinano Camera Company and distributed by Endo Photo Supplies Company of Tokyo in late 1952 or early 1953. First off, this camera is a survivor when you factor in just how old it is and the fact that this type of camera was never made in vast quantities.
It’s a 35mm viewfinder camera with an NKS shutter with speeds from bulb to 1/200 of a second plus a built-in self-timer. The 4.5cm Tri-Lausar lens is made by Tomioka Optical Company of Tokyo and has a maximum aperture of f/ 3.5
When these types of cameras were made in the early 1950s they were never intended to be collector cameras in the future and they were up against stiff competition in a crowded marketplace. They were built well and they were designed to be affordable cameras for the masses.
A beautiful top plate that is free of dents, dings, and corrosion.
I like the way Pigeon is embossed into the covering.
Removing the entire back and bottom plate makes loading film super easy and fast.
The film pressure plate is in excellent condition with very little wear. Once again, the camera is free of corrosion and rust. Japan’s climate is very hot and humid during the long Summer months followed by intense cold Winters – with little indoor climate control it’s hard to find cameras from this era in such good condition.
Another remarkable aspect of this set is that the original leather case is also in nearly perfect condition.
If you enjoy collecting vintage cameras from Japan then this Pigeon would make a wonderful addition to any collection. I haven’t tested it with film lately but the shutter operates at all speeds and sounds accurate, the aperture blades are clean and oil-free and with the exception of some dust specs in the lens I see no fungus or mold and it’s free of distracting cleaning marks or scratches. Optically the Tomioka lens is clean and clear. This is not a coupled rangefinder camera so you focus based on distance and you meter separately as there is no built-in exposure meter. Basic film photography just as it was intended.
If you’re interested this camera is available in my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com – Thanks, Chris
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.
Copyright © 2015-2019 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.
Fujica ST 701 35mm SLR Set – 1971
We’ve recently added this beautiful camera set to our online camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com.
We love to collect classic film cameras that are still in their “factory fresh” condition and this totally unused Fujica was a joy to display in our collection.
A test image made with the Fujinon 55mm f/1.8 lens mounted on my Fujifilm X-A10 mirrorless digital camera body via a Fotodiox M42-NX adapter.
I love the look these vintage lenses produce – they’re far from razor-sharp but soft is nice too in this digital age.
The silky-smooth surfaces on this Fujica are stunning.
Fuji Photo Film Company built a wonderful camera when they released the ST 701. I love its clean lines and uncluttered design.
This Fujica uses M42 screw mount lenses from a wide range of manufacturers such as Tomioka, Yashica, Asahi Pentax, and others. If you’re interested, pop on over to http://www.ccstudio2380.com for the complete details and additional pictures.
Thanks for stopping by! – Chris
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.
Copyright © 2015-2019 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.
(almost) wordless wednesday
From 1964 – Yashica model A twin-lens reflex film camera still new in its original factory wrapper (and box).
*I know, pretty wordy for a Wordless Wednesday.
It’s available for purchase in my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com – Chris
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.
Copyright © 2015-2019 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.
Nicca 3-F Brochure – 1957
Here is a very nice brochure for the popular Nicca 3-F (lever) 35mm rangefinder camera – a sophisticated Leica inspired camera from Japan.
An inside view of the brochure. The serial number on the camera is No. 151144
Analysis of the serial numbers indicates that about 6,000 cameras were made. This assumes that there were no breaks in production and that the numbers were assigned consecutively.
The front and back cover of the brochure. Hinomaruya ひのまるや (upper left corner) was the sole distributor for Nicca in Japan – I’m not sure if they handled distribution outside of Japan.
Nice assortment of available accessories for the Nicca 3-F
This brochure has survived in near mint condition – it’s obvious collectors have handled it carefully over the years.
Thanks for stopping by! – Chris
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.
Copyright © 2015-2019 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.
Nicca Camera Box – 1953
Most of our camera collection revolves around, no surprise, cameras and lenses. However, collecting camera boxes can be just as fun (and infinitely more difficult). Here’s a rather rare box from Nicca for the Type 3-S and Type 4 35mm rangefinder cameras.
From 1953 – the top design on the box is the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 lens elements and groups.
The inside of the box is lined with fabric.
The camera (Type 3-S) safely tucked inside.
Thanks for stopping by! – Chris
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.
Copyright © 2015-2019 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.
The Fujicaflex Automat- a monster TLR from Fuji Photo Film Company, Tokyo
Here’s another look at this wonderful camera. I’ve recently found the time to shoot a roll of film with it and the film will be developed soon. I’ll be sure to post the scans when I can.
Fuji’s only attempt at a twin-lens reflex camera – 1954
The Fuji Photo Film Company of Tokyo has a long history of making some very desirable cameras – from simple point and shoot models to high-quality professional medium format film cameras covering most types of film formats (Fuji Photo, after all, is in the business of selling film). Along the way, there have been a few cameras that have stood out for their technical achievements and innovations and one of them is the Fujicaflex Automat (for much more about this model please check out Mr. Koyasu’s wonderful site).
We’ve wanted to add this camera to our collection for many years and the right combination of events led us to this one. It was for sale in Japan a short while back and we missed it – it became available again from a collector in Thailand so we went for it.
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Fujica GW690 Professional – medium format photography on a grand scale
The Fujica GW690 Professional from Fuji Photo Film Company – November 1978. It’s a rather hefty medium format 120/220 roll film camera capable of producing images at an amazingly large 6 x 9 cm.
Loaded with Fujifilm Neopan 100 Acros.
Its original list price was ¥143,500. The camera features a non-interchangeable EBC Fujinon 90mm f/3.5 lens (5 elements in 5 groups) and a Seiko #0 leaf shutter with settings for T, 1-1/500 second. It weighs “just” 1,430 grams. No batteries needed as there is no built-in exposure meter. Simply focus the easy to use rangefinder, meter via a handheld meter (or phone app), set your aperture and shutter speed and you’re good to go. By the way, this beast produces 8 super sharp images so you can eat through a roll of 120 film in a hurry.
Original sales brochure – 1978.
Released in 1985, the now Fuji GW690II in GOLD.
To see all of the cameras in this series please check out this wonderful site.
Images were taken with my Fujica. All of the images are as exposed and as scanned. No post-production, really-really.
The Fujica GW690 and Fujifilm Neopan 100 Acros are an almost perfect combination. There’s always plenty of these available via online auctions with a majority of them listed in Japan.
GOOD NEWS!
Yeah! Neopan is not dead!
Thanks for stopping by! – Chris
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.
Copyright © 2015-2019 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.
Macro Monday – Monster Glass
One of the finest fast lenses ever – well pretty close anyway. Made by Tomioka Optical for Yashica (and others) this ultra-fast 55mm f/1.2 lens is a perfect match for the Yashica TL Electro X ITS that it’s mounted on.
Thanks for stopping by! – Chris
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.
Copyright © 2015-2019 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.
Happy SUNday! – Mickey Mouse Camera
Carol and I enjoy collecting interesting cameras from all over the world and we’re die-hard Disney fans too. So combining the two has always been fun for us.
The original Fuji DL-7 was released in Japan in April 1987 – the Fuji DL-7 Mickey Mouse in November 1987. The “DL” meant drop-in film loading. There were over thirty cameras in the popular Fuji DL series.
Here’s a Hi! Mickey! 35mm point and shoot camera set from Fuji Photo Film Company. The camera is a Fuji DL-7 with some enhancements from Disney.
Mickey’s smiling face acts as a sliding lens cover for the Fujinon f/8 35mm 3 element lens. When closed it locks the shutter button. Fujifilm / Fuji has enjoyed a long relationship with the Walt Disney Company and there have been more than a few Mickey Mouse cameras over the years.
As we continue to downsize our camera collection we’re offering this wonderful set in our camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com
Thanks for stopping by! – Chris
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.
Copyright © 2015-2019 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.
