Large Format Lens – Wollensak Raptar

August 24, 2020August 24, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

It sounds like a bird of prey – Wollensak Raptar. It’s actually a Raptar Serirs II 162mm f/4.5 (Catalog 2) lens that was made from 1947 to 1972. This one is from around 1950 and is in excellent condition with a fully working and accurate Wollensak Rapax 3 Synchromatic lens.

This 162mm lens is equivalent to a 55mm ‘normal’ lens in 35mm photography.

Classic Burke & James Press (4×5) camera from the late 1940s to the mid-1950s (pictured below).

Super clean and shiny.

1946 catalog from Burke & James.

This press camera is designed to shoot with still available 4×5 inch sheet film in both color and black & white negative film and color transparency (slide) film.

An example of a currently available 4×5 sheet film. Kodak, Fujifilm, Ilford, and others are still made and there are many online labs that develop the film.

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

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.

SUNday Spotlight – Chasing Classic Cameras – Leica Bits!

August 23, 2020August 23, 2020Chris and Carol 1 Comment

Part of the fun of collecting cameras is discovering something you didn’t know existed. In this case, I recently discovered that Leica Leitz made lens cases out of Bakelite (ancient plastic) that held various Leica lenses in the late 1940s and early 1950s (reportedly as early as the mid-1930s).

The case is designed to hold the lens securely with a small notch for the focus knob.

There are small numbers embossed in the base, 2729, and on the cap 2617. These numbers do not show up currently on a search of Leica catalog numbers.

The outside of the base of the Bakelite case.

‘BCDOO’ was the Leica catalog code for the Bakelite lens case for the 3.5cm Summaron. The translation of the French is “Bakelite boxes with screw-thread cover for…”.

Apparently, at some point in time (I don’t know the date of this catalog) these Bakelite cases were offered with the lenses as either a standard accessory or available as a separate option.

A small sample of the Bakelite cases.

Thanks for stopping by and here’s hoping you have a beautiful day and that you’re about to discover something neat in your camera collection! – Chris

By the way, my camera shop is always open at http://www.ccstudio2380.com so feel free to pop on over.

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

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

yashica sailor boy big with j3

Thanks for stopping by and remember to stay safe out there! – Chris

Be sure to visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com for some pretty interesting classic cameras, lenses, and photogear.

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 – Nicca 3-S

August 13, 2020August 13, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Nicca 3-S 35mm rangefinder camera from the mid-1950s. Here it’s mated with a rather rare Nippon Kogaku W-Nikkor C 28mm f/3.5 wide-angle lens and matching Nippon Kogaku optical 2.8 viewfinder.

The Nicca is a solid camera in its own right. Many call this type of camera a Leica copy or clone but I prefer to say it was inspired by Leica’s design.

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

My camera shop can be visited 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.

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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snip 8.11.2

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.

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

Yashica cameras and so much more!

Tag Film

Large Format Lens – Wollensak Raptar

It sounds like a bird of prey – Wollensak Raptar. It’s actually a Raptar Serirs II 162mm f/4.5 (Catalog 2) lens that was made from 1947 to 1972. This one is from around 1950 and is in excellent condition with a fully working and accurate Wollensak Rapax 3 Synchromatic lens.

SUNday Spotlight – Chasing Classic Cameras – Leica Bits!

Part of the fun of collecting cameras is discovering something you didn’t know existed. In this case, I recently discovered that Leica Leitz made lens cases out of Bakelite (ancient plastic) that held various Leica lenses in the late 1940s and early 1950s (reportedly as early as the mid-1930s).

(almost) wordless wednesday

Chasing Classic Cameras – Nicca 3-S

Nicca 3-S 35mm rangefinder camera from the mid-1950s. Here it’s mated with a rather rare Nippon Kogaku W-Nikkor C 28mm f/3.5 wide-angle lens and matching Nippon Kogaku optical 2.8 viewfinder.

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