On the road to Mt. Fuji

December 12, 2024December 12, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

When Carol and I lived in Yokohama, Honmoku, Naka-ku, we could take a few trips to Mount Fuji as it was relatively close by car. Because I was in the US Navy and stationed aboard a ship in Yokosuka, I was often out to sea, so our time together at home was always short. These are a few images taken during a day trip in January 1979.

Beautiful, almost completely covered in snow.

All images were taken with my Canon F-1 and shot on Kodak Kodachrome. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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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. Copyright © 2015-2024 Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris (Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic), Chris Whelan. All rights reserved.

wordless wednesday

July 31, 2024July 31, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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Happy SUNday! – Contax Bliss

April 7, 2024April 8, 2024Chris and Carol 4 Comments

The Contax 50th Anniversary Edition 137 MD Quartz 35mm SLR film camera.

The ’50 Years’ model had a unique leatherette and a gold Contax ‘button’ on the flash sync terminal.

I don’t usually chase anniversary models, but this one struck me as pure in the early 1980s.

Contax celebrated fifty years, 1932-1982.

One of two standard lenses is shown here.

Contax numbered their cameras, consequently. As far as I am aware, no date code is hidden in the serial numbers.

It’s a simple manual focus aperture priority camera first released in 1980. Notice the location of the tripod socket. The entire baseplate is removable to be able to install the four AA batteries needed to power the meter and motor drive.

I believe the red sticker indicates that the color of the body is ‘fin’ or ‘wine.’ The Google Translate app isn’t apparent.

There aren’t many of these models still available, but they are well worth being chased.

This particular camera was sold in Japan, and unfortunately, I don’t have the original paperwork or Japanese instruction booklet. I’d love to find the correct strap, too. The proper case is a bit of a mystery, but I believe it should have been C-004, according to my friend Graham in the UK. By the way, the period correct flash units made for the 137 MD is the Contax TLA20 and TLA30 Auto Flash units for true TTL flash metering. There is also a 137 Data Back and a 137 Grip Adapter. Thanks for stopping by and be sure to visit my camera shop (hosted by Etsy) at http://www.ccstudio2380.com – Chris

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Fujifilm Nexia Cameras – 3200 ixZ

September 18, 2023November 5, 2023Chris and Carol 2 Comments

When it was released in 2000 it listed for about $400 USD.

Like it was carved out of a block of stainless steel –

Brand new Fujifilm Nexia 3200 ixZ MRC APS film camera from 2000. Just before the digital camera revolution took hold, Fujifilm designed these super sharp and compact cameras with loads of features. This one features a sharp Super EBC Fujinon 23 to 70mm Zoom (7 elements/7 groups) f4.8 lens which has better specs than the popular Fujifilm Tiara.
It’s available in my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com along with 4 other Nexia models all still new in the box and in mint condition.
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

3 little Yashicas from the 1960s

July 23, 2023July 27, 2023Chris and Carol 2 Comments

Yashica Minimatic-S. A fully automatic (no autofocus) 35mm rangefinder was released in February 1963. The camera set both the aperture and shutter speed.

Yashica M. Released in June 1960. 35mm rangefinder with a sharp and fast Yashinon f1.9 lens. The “M” was also known as the 35M and 35 Model M.

Yashica Half 17. Capable of shooting up to 72 images on a roll of 36-exposure 35mm film.

Each camera uses selenium cell light meters to assist with setting the proper exposure. If you can find working examples of these classics you’ll enjoy a whole new level of vintage film shooting as the Yashinon lenses are sharp, colorful, and contrasty. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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Yashica Electro 35 – 1966

June 18, 2023June 18, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Yashica’s first electronically controlled camera (aperture priority) jump-started Yashica’s role in electronic photography.

This one is from 1968 and features the <E.P> mark on the cold shoe indicating that it was likely sold at a US military exchange store and was tax exempt or “Exempt Purchase”.

Super sharp and fast Yashinon-DX 45mm f/1.7 lens.

It’s a very handsome camera representing the best of Yashica’s design team for that period. The Yashica TL Electro X wouldn’t have been developed without this groundbreaking camera.

The later enhanced version (gold contacts).

Thanks for stopping by, 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

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Mamiyaflex II – 1952

September 26, 2022September 26, 2022Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Mamiya’s second twin-lens reflex camera was released on the heels of their first in 1948.

This wonderful camera came to my collection recently and for the most part, it works. The shutter does fire sometimes and the focus appears to be spot on. It will get a good cleaning (shown here with decades of dirt and grime) and I have some era specific leatherette for it coming from Japan. I think the shutter just needs some minor lubrication to get it sounding right as rain.

Overall I’m very happy with the camera. The taking lens is pretty clean with only a few dust specs and some internal dirt (not mold) spots. that will be easily cleaned once the lens is removed. Not much in the way of corrosion on the external metalwork so that’s always a good thing. I hope to post some follow-up pics after it gets refreshed. Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

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