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

June 30, 2021June 30, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Happy SUNday! – Classic Cars

June 27, 2021June 27, 2021Chris and Carol 4 Comments

A couple of classic cars taken in June 1958 somewhere in Connecticut (maybe Hartford).

My wife’s Uncle Bill’s car – a Ford? Reader Jim Grey says it’s a Dodge and I agree. Maybe a 1958 Royal Lancer? The paint scheme is pretty gaudy – a “saddle” two-tone, which had the roof and all of the body below the belt-line trim as one color and the body above the belt-line trim as another.

My father-in-law’s Frank’s car – a Chevy Impala.

They built them big and heavy back then and to think they were considered coupes (two doors). Dual antennas too! Have a great day!

wordless wednesday

June 16, 2021June 16, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

New Arrivals

June 15, 2021June 15, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Hi all… thanks for stopping by! Just in time for Father’s Day I’m offering a nice 10% discount on almost everything in my shop – CC Design Studios at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Lots of unique items from our vast collection of photo gear and other collectibles from our travels over the years. Here’s a small sample…

We also have a bunch of gear and cameras that haven’t been listed yet. If there’s a particular item you’ve been searching for lets us know as we just might have it. Contact us here or at ccphotographyai@gmail.com

Fujica GW690 Professional – medium format photography on a grand scale

June 11, 2021June 11, 2021Chris and Carol 3 Comments

A true classic from Fuji Photo Film Company. Have you ever thought about trying this camera? You won’t be disappointed. Chris

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

fujica gw690 2 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.

fujica gw690 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.

20130403_88ff69 Original sales brochure – 1978.

●11FUJI　GW690ⅡGOLD Released in 1985, the now Fuji GW690II in…

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Rare Zunow 35mm SLR Set

June 6, 2021June 6, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

A very rare, no let me say, ultra rare Zunow camera and lens set is for sale via an online auction in Japan. The Zunow was made in extremely limited numbers in 1959 and few remain this complete in the present collector world. Yashica’s first 35mm SLR was designed in early to mid-1959 shortly after Yashica acquired Nicca camera in 1958. The Yashica Pentamatic ’35’ started production in December 1959 with the first units reaching the US market in the Spring of 1960. The Pentamatic and the Zunow share some similar DNA as Yashica purchased lenses from Zunow (mostly cine lenses) and they were for a time dual branded.

Not often seen together original box, lens cap, case with strap, camera body and lens.

Here’s a snip of a completed auction for just the brochure.

Here’s my first Pentamatic ’35’ with a super-rare Tominon and Yashica branded wide-angle lens.

Looking at the Zunow and the Pentamatic it’s not hard to let your imagination run wild that maybe Zunow, Nicca, and Yashica all shared some design features with one another over a drink or two at a local bar on the outskirts of Tokyo.

This could be another sales brochure or brochure and instruction booklet combination.

Zunow and Yashica branded box for an 8mm cine camera lens.

An advertisement for a rare dual offering from a well-known Japanese camera dealer a few years back.

If you’re so inclined to bid on the current set online, here’s the link https://www.easyauctionjapan.com/YahooAuction-Yahoo-607566-j736361126.html

Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy your day and please feel free to visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Chris

Purma Special — Camera Go Camera

June 4, 2021June 4, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I decided to look for another 127 camera seeing as I had the FCK127 when up popped this blog post on Casual Photophile. Then this post appeared up on another blog I read. That was it, I wanted Purma Special and luckily I am in England so they are fairly cheap. I put a minimum […]
Purma Special — Camera Go Camera

Great post! Please take the time to check it out. It’s amazing what Peggy can do with cameras and film from another time and place. Chris

Friday Fotos! – Cocoa Beach FD

June 4, 2021June 4, 2021Chris and Carol 1 Comment

For a short time in the Spring of 1972 I was a volunteer firefighter trainee with the Cocoa Beach Fire Department – a professional department that was kind enough to take on a young college student and give me full access to their facilities and training. Here’s a few pics I shot with my new Yashica TL Electro-X 35mm SLR on Kodak Plus-X film that I developed and printed myself (for a school project).

I don’t have his name but he was a friendly firefighter that was more than happy to help with my training (as were all the others in the department).

It looks ancient now but completely open cabs were common back then. Engine 4 getting re-stowed after a run.

One of their newer engines in 1972 which featured a new to them semi-enclosed cab.

Me with my favorite truck. I’m just back from a very long and very hot purpose set fire for training.

Friday’s Camera – Mamiya M645

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

Certainly a classic worthy of a chase. Beautiful lines, excellent features, awesome accessories – oh, and a wide selection of quality Mamiya-Sekor lenses.

This is an early model of the M645 – probably 1975 or so.

Interchangeable lenses, backs, finders, focusing screens, winders and probably a few bits I overlooked.

If you’re looking to explore medium-format photography and you want a camera that can be as creative as you and be used like a 35mm SLR, then the M645 is the way to go. Look for clean and damage free examples that haven’t been beaten to near death by a professional wedding or studio photog (no offense to those pros but I wouldn’t want their cameras).

Spiratone (Sankor) Telephoto Lens – 1950s?

March 6, 2021March 6, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Kinda hard to find lens from the late 1950s or maybe even the mid-1960s. This one was mounted on a Miranda SLR so it had an M44 T-mount that I removed.

Although the lens barrel looks like heck the glass is nearly flawless with only a very few dust specs inside. Since I purchased this from a photographer in New Mexico the dry climate has prevented any mold or fungus growth.

I have a T-mount to M42 adapter coming so I can hardly wait to give this little gem a try on my Fujifilm X-A10.

The serial number is No. 51496E which offers a clue as to who made the lens. I believe it was made by Sankor who also made lenses for darn near everybody under at least a dozen brands. If it’s the same maker, Sankor makes a very well respected line of cine lenses.

It’s not the prettiest lens in my collection but after nearly 60 years of use the glass is nearly flawless.

The serial number with the ‘E’ suffix is a clue to the original manufacturer.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to stop by my 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.

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

Yashica cameras and so much more!

Tag Film

wordless wednesday

Happy SUNday! – Classic Cars

wordless wednesday

New Arrivals

Fujica GW690 Professional – medium format photography on a grand scale

Rare Zunow 35mm SLR Set

Purma Special — Camera Go Camera

Friday Fotos! – Cocoa Beach FD

Friday’s Camera – Mamiya M645

Spiratone (Sankor) Telephoto Lens – 1950s?