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

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.

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

Olympus OM-1 MD

February 28, 2023February 28, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

They don’t get much more classic than this gem – Olympus OM-1 MD with F. Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f1.8 lens. Film tested and working perfectly. What a joy to use! It’s in my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com
Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Minolta XE-7 (heavyweight classic from the 1970s)

February 26, 2023February 26, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Beautiful Minolta XE-7 from around 1975. Glass and brass – semi-pro level 35mm SLR with a ton of features including aperture priority automatic. It’s been fully tested with film and everything works as designed. Just a touch of brassing for that desirable classic look. It’s in my shop at www.ccstudio2380.com
Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Film test at the beach – Nikon One Touch (AF3)

February 22, 2023February 22, 2023Chris and Carol 4 Comments

I recently had the opportunity to grab my Nikon One Touch, load a roll of very expired Fujicolor, and hit the beach.

Not the best choice for testing a camera but I wanted to see what this kind of hard-to-find “commercial” film would look like this expired (Feb 2001).

The Nikon leaves a nice bit of the film leader exposed at the end of the roll.

The camera worked perfectly but as hard as the film lab tried, this older Fujicolor film tended to be a bit too green.

Sliders Seaside Grill and Tiki Bar at the beach.

The bird must have read the sign… the guy not so much.

If you don’t have a 4×4 then you shouldn’t go past this sign. AWD doesn’t cut it!

This expired roll of Fujifilm was all I had sitting around so I thought I’d give it a go. As I said, the camera works just fine but that’s the last time I’ll use expired film to test a camera! The Nikon is now available in my shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com – thanks for stopping by, Chris

If you’re interested in this camera I’ve added it to my shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Nikon One Touch (AF3) – 1987

February 22, 2023February 22, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Nikon followed up on the success of their first autofocus compact 35mm camera the Nikon L35AF (1983) with the AF2 in 1984 and then this model the One Touch (AF3). It’s a bit confusing because nowhere did Nikon call this third version the AF3 – it was simply the Nikon One Touch. The good news is that I have a beautiful One Touch in mint condition and still in its original box and with all of its factory goodies. I’ve shot two rolls with it recently and I’m always amazed at just how sharp the images are with this camera and with some Fujicolor Superia X-TRA 400 film. The lens is a fast and sharp Nikon 35mm f/2.8 glass lens with macro (close-up) coupled with as Nikon describes a 16-step autofocus system.

Nearly new complete set.

It’s fun whenever you get to collect such a nice camera with all of its original goodies.

Gorgeous Nikon One Touch. A much more modern design than the 1983 original.

Sample image shot on Fujicolor Superia X-TRA 400 color negative film.

If you’re interested in this camera I’ve added it to my shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Happy SUNday!

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

Nikon advertisement from around 1983.

It’s a fun (and easy) camera to use and gives excellent results. There are two versions of the original shown here – an ISO 400 and an ISO 1000 version. The two versions look exactly the same it’s the ISO dial above the lens that’s different (this is actually the ISO 1000 version just set at 400). 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 LM – 1957

Happy SUNday! – Mamiya TLRs

Yashica TLR Advertisement – 1957

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

Nikon One Touch 100 – 1988

Olympus OM-1 MD

Minolta XE-7 (heavyweight classic from the 1970s)

Film test at the beach – Nikon One Touch (AF3)

Nikon One Touch (AF3) – 1987

Happy SUNday!