A rare Yashica Pentamatic II instruction booklet surfaces.

October 27, 2019October 27, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Every now and again something new turns up in our never-ending search for the complete history of the Yashica Pentamatic series of 35mm SLR cameras. The first model of the Pentamatic was dated (by serial number) in December 1959 and the last, the Pentamatic S ended in March 1962. In between the Pentamatic II had a short run from August 1960 to January 1961. Fewer than 26,000 Pentamatics were made (of all models) during its brief run which makes the Pentamatic one of the hardest to find models in Yashica’s historical line-up of SLR cameras.

A recent online auction featured this never before seen instruction booklet (below).

It’s not much to look at as the cover is devoid of any attempt to market the camera.

My best guess is that the booklet is an English edition of the Pentamatic II instructions. The Japanese edition (below) is much more in keeping with the style of the other books. My good friend and Yashica collaborator Paul Sokk and I agree that the Pentamatic II was never released for sale outside of Japan which makes the discovery of this white cover booklet for the Pentamatic II that much more interesting.

Front and back covers of the Pentamatic II instruction booklet. It’s the only manual found so far that’s printed in Japanese.

Here are all three of the instruction booklets for the Yashica Pentamatic (below).

Up to this point, these were the only known Pentamatic instruction booklets.

Here’s a scan of the first page inside the white covered booklet – pictured is a Pentamatic II with it’s Zunow sourced 5.8cm f/1.7 lens. The camera is still identified as the original Pentamatic in this image, however.

So the big question is why did Yashica print this instruction booklet in English when from all evidence the Pentamatic II wasn’t released for sale outside of Japan? A secondary question is why did they choose to not title the booklet as being for the Pentamatic II? Our best guess is that a few Pentamatic II models were in fact sold in Japan possibly in military exchanges and in duty-free shops and an English version was needed. It’s also possible that a few Pentamatic II’s were sold outside of Japan and the booklet was produced to supplement the camera. Nothing yet to prove that the Pentamatic II was sold outside of Japan but the existence of this book adds a new wrinkle to the history of this camera.

Thanks for stopping by and as always, if you have additional info about any of the three Pentamatic models please share it with us. Thanks, 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.

Time Capsule – 1960

October 11, 2019October 11, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Another look at this post from last year. New evidence shows that the Pentamatic (original model) was released in Japan in January 1960 but as of this reblog still no instruction booklets found printed in Japanese – only English. The Pentamatic made its first appearance in the US around March-April 1960 with the first ads appearing in May.

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

yashica pentamatic set The original Pentamatic.

A nice example of Yashica’s first 35mm SLR – the Pentamatic. Also known as the Pentamatic ’35’ in its earliest advertisements and sales brochures. This particular camera is from August 1960 – the same month that Yashica started production of the Pentamatic II – a model that was destined for the Japanese home market and not for world export. The Pentamatic II stayed in production only until January 1961 when it was replaced a few months later with the Pentamatic S. The original Pentamatic was first produced in December 1959 but widescale production didn’t begin until January 1960. As of this update (Oct 11, 2018), I still haven’t found evidence of an instruction booklet printed in Japanese – only English booklets so far. I would think that there must be booklets in Japanese and at least 2 or 3 other languages but none found. The Pentamatic II…

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New In the Shop – 10.10.2019

October 10, 2019October 10, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Lots of goodies were added to my camera shop this week as I continue to list items from my personal collection and some recent acquisitions from other collectors.

My shop is always open and can be found at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

snip 10.10.19

The Sony tripod is in mint condition and it’s rather cool – it features a built-in remote control right in the handle! The Nikon F book is from 1971 and it’s also in mint condition – these are getting much harder to find this nice after all these years.

snip 2 10.10.19

The Fujifilm Fuji DL-7 is awesome as it’s still brand new in the box – never used! The Fuji Zoom Cardia is as close to an SLR slayer that you can get in a 35mm compact point and shoot camera. How about the Minolta Six medium format camera from around 1936! It’s the very first one to carry the Minolta name.

Lots more to see in the shop so pop on over to http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Thanks for stopping by! – 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.

Nikon F Instruction Manual – 1971

October 10, 2019October 10, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Here’s a super nice all original instruction manual for the Nikon F. This one is in near-mint condition with only the slightest signs of having been in a camera bag with the camera. No missing pages, no writing, no folds, and no not so funny smells!

My shop is at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

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These manuals are getting harder to find in this condition. This is a one-owner book that’s been stored away properly all these years.

Dated (71.7) which is July 1971

The Nikon F

English Edition with about 35 pages.

Add this very collectible book to your Nikon collection. Thanks for stopping by and be sure to stop by my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com where you’ll find this book for sale or buy it direst below. – Chris

Nikon F Instruction Manual – 1971

In near mint condition, one owner, about 35 pages, English Edition dated 1971. I'll mail it for free within the USA but it's available for mailing almost worldwide. Please ask for a quote to your country. Chris

$28.75

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

October 9, 2019October 9, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Japan Red Train

Japan Commuter

Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

Canon F-1 on Kodak Kodachrome – Yokohama, Japan – 1979

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.

Yashica Yashimat-S Movie Camera

October 4, 2019October 4, 2019Chris and Carol 2 Comments

Yashica’s ghost of a camera. There’s not much out there on the web, in fact almost nothing. I do have the instruction booklet in case I ever find the camera.

From what I’ve been able to glean, it was produced between 1963 to 1965 (not sure on these dates). It’s got a rather strange name for a Yashica 8mm movie camera – closer to the Yashica-Mat TLR camera of the 1950s. In fact, the instructions give very little clues as to what type of film it takes – the first mention isn’t until page 9 of the instructions!

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It was advertised as a pocketable 8mm camera with a CdS meter and a universal focus lens. Fully automatic exposure.

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Yashimat-S Movie

It looks a bit bigger than “pocketable”.

I do like its clean modern design. I’m thinking that it wasn’t around long before it was replaced by the zoom model since they’re almost impossible to find for sale.

Thanks for stopping by and if you have this camera please share some pics with me at ccphotographyai@gmail.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.

Canon Data Back F for the Canon F-1

September 25, 2019September 25, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

One of those must-have items from my younger days. When I purchased my first Canon F-1 in July 1978 there were many additional bits of gear that I wanted to add to it. My first purchase was the Canon FD 24mm f2.8 S.S.C. wide-angle lens followed by the Canon FD 80-200mm f4 S.S.C. telephoto zoom lens. Carol got her Canon AE-1 by December so after that we were pretty well set. But I kept wanting a few more bits – the Canon Data Back F was one of them.

Fast forward thirty years and a few months and I finally got my wish.

Complete set from 1980.

It’s been on display with my other Canon bits in my camera collection – unused but at least I have it!

In pristine factory fresh condition and fully functional too.

It’s time to downsize my collections so this still new in the box Canon accessory is now available for purchase in my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

A fresh battery installed and fully tested.

It’s designed to replace the film door back on the original Canon F-1.

The little window houses the LED that imprints the film.

All sorts of combinations of dates, data, digits, and letters can be imprinted.

A sturdy plastic case is a perfect home for the back when not in use or on display.

The original instruction booklet from 1979. Pictured is the Data Back for the A Series of cameras.

So there you have it. If you’ve been looking to add this wonderful Canon collectible to your Canon collection now’s the time to do so. It’s as clean and new as it looks (the pics are from just the other day) and it’s ready to use (or display). Check it out in my shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Thanks! – 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.

Yashica TL-Electro

September 24, 2019September 24, 2019Chris and Carol 3 Comments

The TL-Electro was one of Yashica’s longest-running models in the very successful TL Series of 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras. Don’t confuse this model with the better known TL Electro X or TL Electro X ITS. It’s a totally different camera but equally important to Yashica’s success during the 1970s.

By analyzing serial numbers my good friend Paul Sokk ( YashicaTlr.com ) and I have determined that the TL-Electro was in production from April 1972 to February 1978. There’s still a chance of finding a few cameras outside of these dates but at this time they look pretty accurate.

Original undated sales brochure for the TL-Electro.

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Essentially the TL-Electro is an updated version of the Yashica TL which was first produced in November 1967. The TL used a meter needle centering system vice the lighted arrows in the TL-Electro (same side and location in the viewfinder display).

Cover of the instruction booklet dated 1974.

From the instruction booklet. These exact batteries are no longer made (due to mercury) but there are replacements available that may do the job. The alkaline replacement is APX-640 or PX-640A (at 1.5v). The batteries only power the exposure meter system and not the shutter.

Original box that was with a camera that was produced in July 1973.

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Below is the Yashica TL from late 1967. The TL was the second camera in the TL Series right after the TL-Super (1966).

The very basic but highly functional Yashica TL from an undated sales brochure.

The Yashica TL and TL-Electro are almost exact matches with the exception of a few placements of the dials and levers. Of course, the TL uses a mechanical meter display system where the TL-Electro gains the IC Brain and lighted arrows for metering. I haven’t had the opportunity to weigh each body to compare them yet but I would guess that they are pretty close.

When shopping for the TL-Electro or TL obviously choose the best looking and most functional cameras that your budget will allow. The TL, Electro AX and the FFT are the hardest to find in good condition even though plenty were made over the years. All of Yashicas cameras during this period used M42 screw-in lenses so it’s easy to mix and match.

Thanks for stopping by! – 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.

Yashica M42 Timeline – update 9.23.19

September 20, 2019September 23, 2019Chris and Carol 6 Comments

Yashica’s M42 screw mount 35mm SLR cameras were super successful and in some cases, groundbreaking. Yashica was known as a “Pioneer in Electronic Cameras” during the 1960s and 1970s with the TL Electro-X being the first electronically controlled SLR camera. My good friend and fellow Yashica collaborator Paul Sokk ( YashicaTlr.com ) and I have studied Yashica’s serial numbering system as it applies to their 35mm SLRs that used the universal M42 screw-in lens mount.

These dates represent the earliest finding of an individual model based solely on their serial numbers – not necessarily their release date. In some cases, the dates are still fluid as there is still the possibility of finding a stray in the wild that would prove an earlier production date.

Yashica often included a month and year in the first 3 or 4 digits of the camera’s serial number. By decoding these numbers Paul and I have come up with the following list.

Penta J 6/1961
Reflex 35 3/1962
J-3 2/1963
J-5 3/1964
J-P 8/1964
J-4 4/1965
TL-Super 4/1966
J-7 11/1966
TL 11/1967
TL Electro-X Type 1 10/1968
TL Electro X Type 2 7/1969
TL-E 6/1969
ITS 12/1970
TL-Electro 4/1972
Electro AX 3/1972
FFT 7/1973

In some cases, the dates are from cameras that appeared in sales brochures and user manuals. We have a high degree of confidence that these dates are correct and that they reflect a true chronology of these cameras as of this post.

Here’s an example of a Yashica serial number during this period –

(81200636) 8 = 1968, 12 = DEC, and 00636 = 636th made that month.

The serial number on my Yashica TL Electro-X Type 1

If you’ve found a camera that exists outside of these start dates, please feel free to let me know and if you have a serial number that you’re unable to decode send it my way. You can contact me at ccphotographyai@gmail.com

Thanks – 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.

Sears Tower 35 – 1952 Catalog

September 19, 2019September 19, 2019Chris and Carol 2 Comments

Beautiful 35mm camera made for Sears by Nicca Camera Company, Tokyo.

Certainly an expensive camera set but compared to the Leica that inspired it a definite bargain. The Nicca-Tower camera’s fit and finish and the performance of the Nikkor lenses were the equal of the Leica. How about that complete outfit at $652.95? Big bucks in 1952 (still big bucks today).

The Nicca version is the Nicca Type-3 (Type III).

Colorful cover of the Sears Fall 1952 – Spring 1953 camera catalog.

Thanks for stopping by! – 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

A rare Yashica Pentamatic II instruction booklet surfaces.

A recent online auction featured this never before seen instruction booklet (below).

Time Capsule – 1960

New In the Shop – 10.10.2019

Nikon F Instruction Manual – 1971

wordless wednesday

Yashica Yashimat-S Movie Camera

Canon Data Back F for the Canon F-1

Yashica TL-Electro

Yashica M42 Timeline – update 9.23.19

Sears Tower 35 – 1952 Catalog