Yashica’s Early 35mm SLRs

May 28, 2023June 4, 2023Chris and Carol 3 Comments

My good friend Paul Sokk from Australia (www.yashicatlr.com) has compiled a great database of almost all of Yashica’s cameras and by decoding serial numbers we’ve been able to come up with a list of manufacturing dates. So, by using these serial numbers here is a general list of when the following models were first and last made.

Penta J Aug 1961 to Aug 1965

Reflex 35 Mar 1962 to Jan 1964

J-3 Nov 1962 to Sep 1964

J-5 Mar 1964 to Jun 1965

J-P Aug 1964 to Sep 1966

J-4 Mar 1965 to Jun 1965

J-7 Nov 1966 to Dec 1967

Yashica’s little oddball model. I believe it was only manufactured to be sold by Montgomery Ward as the Wards SLR 500. For Wards, Yashica fitted it with a Tominon C 5cm f/2 lens vice the lens shown here. A true budget model for around $160 US.

The Pnnta J was the first modern style SLR from Yashica with the universal M42 screw mount for a wide variety of lenses. It was the first model after the Pentamatic S. The J-3 was the first model that had a coupled CdS light meter built into the camera’s left shoulder.

From the 1964 Wards catalog. It’s easy to see that the Wards slr 500 is mostly made from the Yashica J-P with the film advance lever used from the Penta J.

One final note. The serial numbers tell when the camera was produced, not when a camera was released for sale to the public. I believe this list represents the most accurate timeline of these early models from Yashica. Many thanks to Paul for his efforts to compile the most accurate data to date. There is no one better.

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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.

Black Beauty from Yashica

May 24, 2023May 24, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

The Yashica J-3 was the first numbered model of the ‘J’ Series of cameras and was released in late 1962. The black version was never mentioned in any brochure that I own or have seen either in English or Japanese. A small number were made but finding a mint and working model is quite difficult – but worth the chase!

J-3 in all black and classic silvered chrome.

Studio Camera – Fujifilm X-T2

Lens – Yashica Auto Yashinon 5cm f/2 (the original lens for the J-3)

Adapter – FotodioX M42-FX

Film Simulation – (Top) Acros, (Bottom) Velvia Vivid

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New Canon Page from Paul Sokk

May 20, 2023Chris and Carol 4 Comments

My good friend Paul Sokk from Australia has done it again! He’s uploaded an amazing and detailed history of Canon rangefinder cameras that’s second to none.

You can check it out at http://leica-copies-japan.com/Canon.html

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Canon F-1 from 1978

May 11, 2023May 11, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Here is my original F-1 from 1978 purchased new at the Navy Exchange in Yokohama, Japan. I later added the Motor Drive MF and the Canon FD 55mm f1.2 lens.

Photographed – Fujifilm X-T2 with Fujinon XF 18-55mm f2.8-4 R LM OIS zoom lens at f10, 1/8 at ISO 800

Lighting – Single 4-foot LED set at 4000K placed directly overhead.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Another Nikon ‘Plastic Fantastic’ – One Touch 200

May 9, 2023May 9, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris –
Another neat Nikon from my collection. The Nikon One Touch 200 is a plastic fantastic from 1991 with a sharp Nikon 35mm lens and smart flash capabilities. It focuses from 2.1 feet to infinity (and beyond). This one is still new in the box and one of the last Nikons of this type to be ‘Made in Japan’. It’s available in my online camera shop CC Design Studios at www.ccstudio2380.com

The Nikon One Touch 200 features a sharp glass Nikon 35mm f3.5 lens (3 elements/3 groups).

It’s not often that you can still find a new camera from 1991.

I have a few other Nikons from my collection in my shop right now – check them out at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Nikon N6006 35mm SLR with AF Nikkor zoom lens.

Nikon One Touch Zoom 90 35mm compact point & shoot with a sharp zoom lens.

Nikon One Touch 100 35mm point & shoot camera set.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Yashica LM – 1957

May 5, 2023May 5, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

An old favorite of mine. This one was made by the good folks at the Yashima factory in Shimosuwa, Nagano Prefecture, Japan in about mid-1957. The serial number, 119xxx puts it in the early first stages after a slight upgrade to the original design from late 1956. This one has a built-in exposure meter on the camera’s left side and the “light gathering window” is located under the nameplate. The shutter and focus are spot on and the meter appears accurate.

These images were taken using my new overhead studio light and my Fujifilm X-T2. Simple setup with excellent results. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Happy SUNday! – Mamiya TLRs

April 16, 2023April 16, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

A few snips from a Mamiya brochure dated June 1985. If you’ve ever considered getting into medium-format photography then I highly recommend checking out the cameras offered by Mamiya – my personal favorite is the Mamiya C33.

Although I’m a big fan of Yashica’s TLRs they lack the one thing that the Mamiyas can do – interchangeable lenses!

The C220 is the slightly less expensive cousin to the very capable C330.

Great shot! So 1980s! I love the Honda motorcycle thrown in for detail and depth.

Often the C220 can be found for far less than the C330 making it the better choice. However, a well-maintained Yashica EM or Yashica D can deliver medium-format photographers a better value over the bigger and generally more expensive Mamiyas.

My Mamiya C33. It’s built like a tank and weighs only slightly less (just kidding). Don’t overlook this model when chasing a solid medium-format (6×6 cm) film camera (also known as 2 1/4 x 2 1/4) that uses 120 roll films. This one was made in June 1969.

Shown with Mamiya-Sekor f3.5 105mm lenses. Seiko shutter up to 1/500th of a second. Unique bellows for a TLR, the 105mm lens had a close focus of about 16 inches with the bellows fully extended.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! – Chris

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Yashica TLR Advertisement – 1957

April 3, 2023April 3, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I enjoy finding ads that not only have great content but a date of publication too – throw in prices and it’s a winner!

Yashica-Mat and the Yashica Model LM plus all four models that were offered in late 1957.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Happy SUNday! – another super nice Canon AE-1 Program

March 12, 2023March 12, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

They’ve always been a favorite of mine for their versatility, design, and functionality. The Canon AE-1 Program is an interesting A Series camera that’s kind of a Canon A-1 “Lite”. I’ve put together this wonderful set for you – a film-tested, super-clean AE-1 Program.

I’ve added another super nice Canon AE-1 Program camera to my shop. This one is from 1981. It’s been fully film tested, is as clean as new, and the Canon NFD 50mm f1.8 lens is clear, clean, and sharp. The Fujicolor film is fresh (10/2024), I’ve installed a new battery, and the instruction booklet is complete and in mint condition. It’s ready to shoot right out of the box – guaranteed. Check out my shop CC Design Studios at http://www.ccstudio2380.com
Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Nikon One Touch 100 – 1988

March 5, 2023March 5, 2023Chris and Carol 2 Comments

Fun point & shoot 35mm camera from Nikon.

It features a super sharp Nikon 35mm f3.5 lens.

The box has held up well over the years – the One Touch 100 was still made in Japan in 1988.

Nikon One Touch 100 35mm Film Camera
with Nikon 35mm f3.5 Lens

Includes Nikon Box, Instructions,
Nikon Strap, and (2) AA Batteries.

*Film Tested, Working Perfectly!

This is part of the super popular
Nikon One Touch series of
compact point & shoot 35mm
film cameras made by Nikon in the 1980s.
It’s capable of some sharp well exposed images
and excels when using color or black & white films.

Some features are autofocus, autoexposure,
auto flash, auto film loading, auto rewind,
and DX coding (ISO 100, 200, 400, and 1000).
Non-DX film sets to ISO 100.
Locking battery door, lens cover on/off switch,
dual self-timer, 30-second focus memory, fill flash assist,
and tripod socket.

Nikon Lens – 35mm f3.5 4 elements, 3 groups.
2.1 feet to infinity.

It’s available in my camera shop CC Design Studios at http://www.ccstudio2380.com. As always, thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

Yashica cameras and so much more!

Tag Film

Yashica’s Early 35mm SLRs

Black Beauty from Yashica

New Canon Page from Paul Sokk

Canon F-1 from 1978

Another Nikon ‘Plastic Fantastic’ – One Touch 200

Yashica LM – 1957

Happy SUNday! – Mamiya TLRs

Yashica TLR Advertisement – 1957

Happy SUNday! – another super nice Canon AE-1 Program

Nikon One Touch 100 – 1988