Not always as they appear…

April 16, 2023April 16, 2023Chris and Carol 3 Comments

I recently took delivery of what appeared to be a well-kept Canon A-1 35mm SLR from 1983. It was reported by the seller as in good condition but untested. The lens was specifically listed as clean and clear. As you can see from the pictures the lens is far from “clean and clear”.

It looks great and from my experience with this model when they look this good they generally have no issues.

Canon NFD 50mm f1.8 lens as seen from behind. BTW, the date code (Y1116) to the right of the red dot indicates that this lens was made in November 1984.

Opening the aperture blades to f1.8 and shining a bright LED light reveals the hidden issues with the lens – haze and overall edge cloudiness.

I knew the camera was untested (I asked the seller and they said that they didn’t have a battery) so I knew that going in. BTW, the 6v A544 batteries that power the A-1 are quite common and available in stores and online. After checking out the camera with a fresh battery I discovered that the light meter display wasn’t working. The shutter speeds sounded accurate but without knowing if the meter was responding I wouldn’t have been able to trust the camera in full auto mode. The camera also had the infamous Canon “squeal” that happens whenever the mirror assembly’s lubrication dries out over time and from sitting unused for long periods. The squeal is not caused by the shutter as some people believe.

Obviously looks can and often are deceiving and in this case, I could have taken a hit. Fortunately, I was able to return the camera. At this moment I’m waiting to receive my refund.

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.

Happy SUNday! – Mamiya TLRs

April 16, 2023April 16, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

A few snips from a Mamiya brochure dated June 1985. If you’ve ever considered getting into medium-format photography then I highly recommend checking out the cameras offered by Mamiya – my personal favorite is the Mamiya C33.

Although I’m a big fan of Yashica’s TLRs they lack the one thing that the Mamiyas can do – interchangeable lenses!

The C220 is the slightly less expensive cousin to the very capable C330.

Great shot! So 1980s! I love the Honda motorcycle thrown in for detail and depth.

Often the C220 can be found for far less than the C330 making it the better choice. However, a well-maintained Yashica EM or Yashica D can deliver medium-format photographers a better value over the bigger and generally more expensive Mamiyas.

My Mamiya C33. It’s built like a tank and weighs only slightly less (just kidding). Don’t overlook this model when chasing a solid medium-format (6×6 cm) film camera (also known as 2 1/4 x 2 1/4) that uses 120 roll films. This one was made in June 1969.

Shown with Mamiya-Sekor f3.5 105mm lenses. Seiko shutter up to 1/500th of a second. Unique bellows for a TLR, the 105mm lens had a close focus of about 16 inches with the bellows fully extended.

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

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Happy SUNday! – another addition to the trove of Yashica collectibles

April 9, 2023April 9, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

As received from a collector in Singapore. He’ll get a bit of cleaning soon although he’s not that grungy now.

This was a dealer display model – about 8 inches tall. The green shoe version was not as common as the red shoe variety. Not sure why some were made with green shoes… preferred dealer? The green shoe guys also had a slightly different eyelash style, little to no red on the cheeks, and a star painted on the left eye vice a white dot.
Made in Japan by Modern Plastics in 1962

My original dealer display model with the more common red shoes. The Yashica sticker on his hat alternates from ‘YASHICA’ and ヤシア (Yashica in katakana) to nothing.

The 4-inch version is shown here with ‘YASHICA’ in katakana characters.

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

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

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

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

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

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