Happy SUNday! – the new kid on the block

April 2, 2023April 2, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I’ve been searching for this version (with ‘Yashica’ written in katakana ヤシカ on his hat) of Yashica’s advertising figurine for quite some time I finally came across one the other day on eBay. The original ‘mascots’ were made in Japan by Modern plastics in 1962 and were made in many versions from large dealer-sized display models all the way down to this 10 cm guy.

Before. After 60-plus years he’d become a bit grungy.

Better. After a good scrub, he’s looking a bit more presentable.

Although the figurine cleaned up nicely I haven’t been able to get the edges of the sticker on his hat to come clean. I’m reluctant to go at it for fear of dislodging the sticker or removing some of the colors.

Large 30 cm dealer display model that was found still new in the factory box. The larger models had slightly different eyelash designs.

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

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.

soft greens as seen by the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W7

March 20, 2023March 20, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

From 2005, Sony’s 7-megapixel gem is a fun CCD throwback camera producing film-like images. Here are a few recent shots.

New bald cypress needles – f2.8 1/400 ISO 100

Young redbud leaves – f2.8 1/320 ISO 100

New growth river maple leaf – f5.6 1/250 ISO 100

The 7.2-megapixel CCD sensor is more than capable of capturing beautiful nature shots.

The not-so-secret reason for great images is a sharp (and fast) Carl Zeiss lens. These early Sony cameras often featured better-than-expected lenses in their compact digital cameras.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

More Found Fotos!

March 19, 2023March 19, 2023Chris and Carol 2 Comments

I recently acquired a very nice Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W7 compact digital camera from 2005. In it was a 1.0GB SanDisk Memory Stick PRO with some images that were taken in late 2013. Here are a few of the most interesting so far. I believe they were taken in West Texas and New Mexico but I don’t know the photographer’s name.

The Sony is a 7.2-megapixel camera with a super sharp (and fast) Carl Zeiss 3x optical zoom lens and CCD sensor.

CCD sensors record colors very accurately and 7 megapixels is plenty sharp.

I believe this was in a small town near El Paso taken on November 2, 2013.

Nice balance between the cool shadow areas and the warm color of the setting sun.

Rediscovering these neat little compact CCD digital cameras from the middle 2000s can be a rewarding experience. Their film-like images are in contrast with the super high-resolution images we’ve grown accustomed to in our modern CMOS and full-frame digital cameras. BTW, the Sony was listed at around $400 when it was released in 2005.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Happy SUNday! – another super nice Canon AE-1 Program

March 12, 2023March 12, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

They’ve always been a favorite of mine for their versatility, design, and functionality. The Canon AE-1 Program is an interesting A Series camera that’s kind of a Canon A-1 “Lite”. I’ve put together this wonderful set for you – a film-tested, super-clean AE-1 Program.

I’ve added another super nice Canon AE-1 Program camera to my shop. This one is from 1981. It’s been fully film tested, is as clean as new, and the Canon NFD 50mm f1.8 lens is clear, clean, and sharp. The Fujicolor film is fresh (10/2024), I’ve installed a new battery, and the instruction booklet is complete and in mint condition. It’s ready to shoot right out of the box – guaranteed. Check out my shop CC Design Studios at http://www.ccstudio2380.com
Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Nikon One Touch 100 – 1988

March 5, 2023March 5, 2023Chris and Carol 2 Comments

Fun point & shoot 35mm camera from Nikon.

It features a super sharp Nikon 35mm f3.5 lens.

The box has held up well over the years – the One Touch 100 was still made in Japan in 1988.

Nikon One Touch 100 35mm Film Camera
with Nikon 35mm f3.5 Lens

Includes Nikon Box, Instructions,
Nikon Strap, and (2) AA Batteries.

*Film Tested, Working Perfectly!

This is part of the super popular
Nikon One Touch series of
compact point & shoot 35mm
film cameras made by Nikon in the 1980s.
It’s capable of some sharp well exposed images
and excels when using color or black & white films.

Some features are autofocus, autoexposure,
auto flash, auto film loading, auto rewind,
and DX coding (ISO 100, 200, 400, and 1000).
Non-DX film sets to ISO 100.
Locking battery door, lens cover on/off switch,
dual self-timer, 30-second focus memory, fill flash assist,
and tripod socket.

Nikon Lens – 35mm f3.5 4 elements, 3 groups.
2.1 feet to infinity.

It’s available in my camera shop CC Design Studios at http://www.ccstudio2380.com. As always, thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Olympus OM-1 MD

February 28, 2023February 28, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

They don’t get much more classic than this gem – Olympus OM-1 MD with F. Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f1.8 lens. Film tested and working perfectly. What a joy to use! It’s in my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com
Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Minolta XE-7 (heavyweight classic from the 1970s)

February 26, 2023February 26, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Beautiful Minolta XE-7 from around 1975. Glass and brass – semi-pro level 35mm SLR with a ton of features including aperture priority automatic. It’s been fully tested with film and everything works as designed. Just a touch of brassing for that desirable classic look. It’s in my shop at www.ccstudio2380.com
Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Nikon One Touch (AF3) – 1987

February 22, 2023February 22, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Nikon followed up on the success of their first autofocus compact 35mm camera the Nikon L35AF (1983) with the AF2 in 1984 and then this model the One Touch (AF3). It’s a bit confusing because nowhere did Nikon call this third version the AF3 – it was simply the Nikon One Touch. The good news is that I have a beautiful One Touch in mint condition and still in its original box and with all of its factory goodies. I’ve shot two rolls with it recently and I’m always amazed at just how sharp the images are with this camera and with some Fujicolor Superia X-TRA 400 film. The lens is a fast and sharp Nikon 35mm f/2.8 glass lens with macro (close-up) coupled with as Nikon describes a 16-step autofocus system.

Nearly new complete set.

It’s fun whenever you get to collect such a nice camera with all of its original goodies.

Gorgeous Nikon One Touch. A much more modern design than the 1983 original.

Sample image shot on Fujicolor Superia X-TRA 400 color negative film.

If you’re interested in this camera I’ve added it to my shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Happy SUNday!

February 12, 2023February 12, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Nikon advertisement from around 1983.

It’s a fun (and easy) camera to use and gives excellent results. There are two versions of the original shown here – an ISO 400 and an ISO 1000 version. The two versions look exactly the same it’s the ISO dial above the lens that’s different (this is actually the ISO 1000 version just set at 400). Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

New in the Shop – Saturday Specials

February 4, 2023February 4, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I’ve added some really neat cameras in my Etsy-supported camera shop, CC Design Studios. As always, I have an eclectic mix of classic cameras and gear all fully tested and ready for your adventures. A few examples are shown below.

CC Design Studios at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

The Polaroid OneStep was recently acquired from another collector who has had it since new. Although I haven’t run a fresh pack of film through it it’s been checked and I see no reason why it wouldn’t enjoy another active life. The new Polaroid company makes all types of film packs for this model which uses the popular Polaroid 600 film (color and black & white). The Nikon L35AF was Nikon’s first autofocus compact 35mm camera in 1983 and one of its most successful in a long line of similar models (One Touch). This one has been thoroughly tested and I’ve shot two rolls of fresh Fujicolor through it. The pictures came out great – I see why this camera has such a good reputation.

How about a couple of super nice Canons? My awesome Canon A-1 1980 Winter Olympics Edition 35mm SLR will come to you as clean as new and fully serviced and tested! The A-1 is a joy to use and with a host of Canon accessories available, it’s the perfect 35mm system camera. This one has been in my collection for years and I’ve decided to pass it along as I just can’t keep all of the cameras I own (or can I?). If you’re looking for a sharp DSLR then you’ll love my Canon EOS 7D with its Canon battery grip it’s the kind of heavyweight DSLR to handle your toughest photographic challenges. Like everything I have in my shop, the 7D is fully tested and ready for you (it was my personal camera for years). It looks and operates like new and includes its original box, instruction booklets, charger, and batteries.

The Olympus SP-800UZ is a wildly capable 14-megapixel bridge camera with an amazing 30x wide-angle optical zoom lens. Its CCD sensor produces film-like images in stunning clarity. How about a 35mm equivalent zoom range of 28-840mm! Full wide-angle to super telephoto and with super macro ability to within 1 cm of the lens!

As always, thanks for stopping by and feel free to stop by my shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com – Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

Yashica cameras and so much more!

Tag Made in Japan

Happy SUNday! – the new kid on the block

soft greens as seen by the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W7

More Found Fotos!

Happy SUNday! – another super nice Canon AE-1 Program

Nikon One Touch 100 – 1988

Olympus OM-1 MD

Minolta XE-7 (heavyweight classic from the 1970s)

Nikon One Touch (AF3) – 1987

Happy SUNday!

New in the Shop – Saturday Specials