Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by! – Chris
Be sure to stop by my camera shop 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.
Copyright © 2015-2020 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
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The finder was useful from 35mm to 135mm – a must once you started using lenses above 50mm.
The Leica catalog code is ‘VIOOH’ and the catalog number is 66,006a.
The finder was quite expensive for 1949 at $77 plus tax. I believe this brochure is dated 3/49 if I interpret the code correctly.
A somewhat similar viewfinder from Japan ca. 1952 from an unknown maker. This one is dedicated to using 13.5cm lenses.
Thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to visit my “gift 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.
Copyright © 2015-2020 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.
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.
Copyright © 2015-2020 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.
I’ve deskinned (crude) the body of its failed covering reveling a rather industrial looking Leica in its place.
I could get used to this look.
Before the covering was removed. It looked good until you handled it and then bits of old leather just fell off in small crumbles.
It’s headed off for some much-needed service. I’ll keep you posted when I get it back and run a test roll of film through it. I’m still up in the air about what to recover it with.
Thanks for stopping by! – Chris
My camera shop is always open 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.
Copyright © 2015-2020 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.
Have a beautiful day and 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.
Copyright © 2015-2020 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.
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.
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.
Copyright © 2015-2020 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.
Everything is discounted at least 10% and many come with free USA shipping. I can mail almost anything worldwide and if there’s something that you’ve been looking for I just may have it. You can email me at ccphotographyai@gmail.com
Have a safe and happy day and 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.
Copyright © 2015-2020 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.
We were lucky enough to collect this wonderful Contax with an original box (we love old cameras and their boxes)!
The Contax IIIa (and IIa) are interchangable lens 35mm rangefinder cameras.
The Contax IIIa was made by Zeiss Ikon AG. Stuttgart, West Germany.
We haven’t run a roll of film through it yet but we hope to soon. The lens is a Carl Zeiss 50mm f/ 1.5 and the exposure meter (top) appears to be working after all these years.
Exposure meter flap in the open position. The meter has selenium cells that are powered by light – no batteries necessary. The only downside is that over time they do give out and they can be a bit fragile after nearly 70-years-old.
The Carl Zeiss f/ 1.5 lens is considered to be fast even by today’s standards.
Here’s the Contax IIa – same features but without the built-in exposure meter.
Here’s another camera in our collection that’s available to purchase. From 1955, the Minolta A2 (or A-2) 35mm non-interchangeable lens rangefinder camera.
The Minolta is available in our Etsy camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com
Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day! – 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.
Copyright © 2015-2020 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.
Zeiss Ikon Contax brochure from 1954.
35mm rangefinder camera with interchangeable lenses. Considered by many to be better than a Leica from the same time period.
The Contax IIa and IIIa from the early 1950s. If you run across one in your travels definitely pick it up – you’ll be very pleased. Thanks for stopping by and be sure 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.
Copyright © 2015-2020 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.
This lens shade is an A42 slip-on hood.
This brochure was printed in February 1954.
Outstanding features for its time. The date is the last 3 digits on the lower left side 2-54.
Zeiss Ikon AG Stuttgart A 42 1115 lens shade for the Carl Zeiss Sonnar f/ 1.5 50mm lens.
Only $2.50 originally back in April 1954.
Thanks for stopping by and if you’re looking for an underappreciated 35mm rangefinder with an awesome lens then give the Contax IIa and IIIa a try. – 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.
Copyright © 2015-2020 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.
Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris 