New in the Shop – rare photogear!

August 11, 2020August 11, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Hi all! We hope your week is going well and that you and your family are staying safe. We’ve been very busy cataloging and testing a rather large collection of cameras, lenses, and cool bits and bobs that we’ve recently acquired from a local family. Some of these cameras have been in their family for over 100 years!

Here’s a small sample of some of the items we have in our camera shop right now at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

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As with everything we sell in our online shop, we test, clean, inspect each and every piece before describing and depicting it accurately in our listings – always lots of clear, detailed, and well-lighted images to make it easier for you to feel comfortable with your purchase. We can ship almost worldwide through our Etsy partnership and we accept most forms of payment. See something you like and have a few questions? Contact us at ccphotographyai@gmail.com. If there’s something you’ve been looking for we may have it in our collection. Let us know what it is and we’ll be glad to share it with you.

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

http://www.ccstudio2380.com

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 – hello Miranda!

August 10, 2020August 10, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Here’s a seldom-seen “system camera” from Miranda first released in 1965. The Miranda G was a one-hit-wonder and was quickly replaced with metered models. I think it was called the Miranda GT when a metered pentaprism was added.

Exploded view of the Miranda G. Up to three viewfinders were available for use in the system.

A fast Auto Miranda wide-angle lens (made by Soligor?) – f/2.8 2.8cm

A focal-plane shutter with speeds from bulb to 1/1000 second.

There are 8 different focusing screens available for this model.

This beast weighs in at 877 grams as pictured minus film and batteries. Wait, there’s no batteries as this is the meterless prism. Time to break out your hand-held meter because this is basic photography 101 – pure analog.

I wanted to post an advertisement from around 1965 or so with the Miranda G but I couldn’t find any. The G is rather uncommon in any condition.

This wonderful classic is available in my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Thanks for stopping by and stay safe! – 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.

SUNday Spotlight – Chasing Classic Cameras – Kodak

August 2, 2020August 2, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Happy Sunday to all! Today’s spotlight falls on these two beautiful classics from Kodak. Both are from the early 1900s and they are fully operational.

Kodak No. 3-A Folding Brownie Camera Model A. This one is from the period 1909-1913.

The lens is made by Bausch & Lomb Optical Company and the shutter is adjustable for “T’, “B”, and “I”. This model uses 124 roll films.

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Pictured below is No. 3 Folding Pocket Kodak Model H.

No. 3 Folding Pocket Kodak Model H from around 1910.

Bausch & Lomb Optical Company lens with aperture adjustments from f4 to f128 and shutter speeds of “T”, “B”, 1/25, 1/50, and 1/100 second.

The Kodak pictured above uses 118 roll films that are no longer made but both of these cameras can use modern 120 roll films with the use of adapters on the film spools.

The black bellows are original to this camera. Previous models had red bellows.

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These cameras are from the collection of well-known New Mexico photographer and writer, Ken Cobean (Hial Kenyon Cobean, Jr.). His photographs and articles appeared in numerous publications including Life, Time, and other well-known magazines.

I attribute the excellent condition of these cameras to excellent care and a favorable environment of the Southwest United States.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to visit 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.

(almost) wordless wednesday

July 29, 2020July 29, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

yashica pentamatic big time

Have a beautiful and safe day and many thanks for stopping by! – Chris

I have some interesting new items in my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com which is hosted by Etsy.

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.

Leica IIIg – 1956

July 25, 2020July 25, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Hello all! Happy Saturday.

Today’s spotlight camera is the Leica IIIg which was the last Leica rangefinder camera that used L39 (LTM) screw-in lenses. This lovely camera set is from 1956.

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The camera’s serial number indicates that it was in production in the latter half of 1956 while the lens looks to be from 1955. The Leicavit winder is appropriate for the models IIIf and IIIg so I believe it’s original to this camera.

Typical to cameras that are over 60-years-old, this one will need a complete CLA (cleaning internally, lubricating, and adjustment) professionally. The shutter is way out of adjustment so the shutter curtains are not operating properly and the speeds are off. The winder will need internal cleaning (mostly removing old lubricants) and installing fresh lubricant. Hopefully, that will enable it to operate as designed at about two frames per second (a stretch).

The lens works as it should and appears to have escaped the dreaded fungus and mold. The front and rear optics are clean and scratch-free but internally it does suffer from haze on all the elements. This appears to be typical with Leitz lenses from this era.

This camera set has a wonderful history and it would be nice to be able to shoot with it again. Here’s hoping.

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day! Please feel free to visit my camera shop hosted by Etsy 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.

wordless wednesday

July 22, 2020July 22, 2020Chris and Carol 2 Comments

canon a1 fern

Have a beautiful day – stay safe – thanks for stopping by!

Be sure to check out 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.

Macro Monday – vintage film

July 20, 2020July 20, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Hello all!

I hope your day is going well and you’re staying safe. Here’s a vintage 1950s metal film can from Fuji Film. Neopan is a black & white negative film.

Neopan SS – the SS is ASA 50. SSS is ASA 100

I’ve had this film can for years unopened. It was included with a Yashica Pentamatic that I acquired years ago.

Camera: Fujifilm FinePix S9900W at f/8, ISO 100, 1/60

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to visit 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.

SUNday Spotlight – Polaroid Pathfinder Land Camera 110

July 19, 2020July 19, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Happy Sunday all! In the spotlight today is my dad’s favorite camera and by default, my favorite. I have lots of great memories associated with using this camera. It’s one of the first cameras that my dad showed me how to use.

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Pictured below is from a Polaroid brochure from 1953. The Pathfinder 110 is the first camera listed.

In 1953, $249.50 for a camera was big bucks (still is).

Thanks for stopping by – have a beautiful and safe day and be sure to stop by my camera shop hosted by Etsy 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.

Leotax ‘Silhouette’ – a French Connection?

July 14, 2020July 15, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Here’s an advertisement that appeared in the Asahi Camera Yearbook 1958.

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Leotax TV advertisement from Asahi Camera Yearbook 1958. Other than this ad, I haven’t seen any other mention that the TV was also known as the Silhouette. Leotax went on to name two other cameras – Merite and Elite.

It’s important to point out that Leotax, for the most part, did not engrave the names of their cameras on the top plates so you won’t find cameras that have Silhouette, Merite, or Elite on them. So far I’ve seen these names in advertisements, in a sales brochure, and on a box.

My box with the name Merite vice Merit as it is incorrectly known.

Flyer from 1959 clearly shows the camera as being the Merite.

If you’d like to know more about the Leotax Camera Company please visit my good friend Paul Sokk’s site at http://www.yashicatlr.com/Leotax.html. Paul’s done an excellent job at compiling some of the best information anywhere about Leotax (and a bunch of other things too).

Thanks for stopping by and if you have anything you’d like to share with me about Leotax please do so in the comments. I would especially like to see more examples of Leotax boxes and advertisements (and brochures). – Chris

Be sure to visit my camera shop hosted by Etsy at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

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.

Shinano Camera Company Ltd. – Pigeon Model III

July 13, 2020May 9, 2022Chris and Carol 6 Comments

From around 1953 or late 1952.

35mm viewfinder camera with non-interchangeable lenses.

Asahi Camera magazine advertisement from 1953. Download courtesy of Paul Sokk http://www.yashicatlr.com

A very clean and streamlined design gives this camera a rather modern look even by today’s standards.

The standard lens is a Tomioka Optical Company Tri-Lausar f/3.5 4.5cm

A simple top plate features a film advance lever (far right) tucked into the upper right corner of the backplate. Maybe a first for a Japanese made 35mm camera.

A closer view of the film advance lever. Advancing the film did not charge the shutter.

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Below is a scan of the original instruction sheet supplied with the Model III.

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Pigeon Model III

My Pigeon Model IIA from 1952. This gorgeous camera is no longer in my collection.

These Shinano Pigeon 35 cameras are an interesting collectible but so far after owning two of them I’ve yet to be able to shoot a roll of film. The Model IIA pictured above had a non-functioning focus lever that somehow became detached internally. I didn’t catch that it wasn’t right until after I sold it. The Model II that I recently acquired at auction has two major problems. Again the focus lever did not work as it was frozen in the infinity position probably from lack of use and the second problem was that although the film advance lever moved it did not advance the film. That might have been a simple fix but since the focus lever wasn’t working I won’t try to get it repaired. The Tomioka lenses on both cameras were clean and clear and the shutters sounded accurate.

My advice is to proceed with caution before purchasing these early cameras as they are approaching nearly 70 years since they were made. Things happen over time and unless you’re a talented repairperson expect these to simply look good in a collection of early Japanese 35mm cameras.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to visit 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.

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

Yashica cameras and so much more!

Tag Film

New in the Shop – rare photogear!

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris – hello Miranda!

Here’s a seldom-seen “system camera” from Miranda first released in 1965. The Miranda G was a one-hit-wonder and was quickly replaced with metered models. I think it was called the Miranda GT when a metered pentaprism was added.

SUNday Spotlight – Chasing Classic Cameras – Kodak

Happy Sunday to all! Today’s spotlight falls on these two beautiful classics from Kodak. Both are from the early 1900s and they are fully operational.

(almost) wordless wednesday

Leica IIIg – 1956

Hello all! Happy Saturday.

wordless wednesday

Macro Monday – vintage film

Hello all!

SUNday Spotlight – Polaroid Pathfinder Land Camera 110

Happy Sunday all! In the spotlight today is my dad’s favorite camera and by default, my favorite. I have lots of great memories associated with using this camera. It’s one of the first cameras that my dad showed me how to use.

Leotax ‘Silhouette’ – a French Connection?

Here’s an advertisement that appeared in the Asahi Camera Yearbook 1958.

Shinano Camera Company Ltd. – Pigeon Model III

From around 1953 or late 1952.

35mm viewfinder camera with non-interchangeable lenses.