Panasonic DMC-ZS7 Lumix Digicam

October 25, 2022October 25, 2022Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Super sharp camera and lens – 2010 – still made in Japan.

Key Features

12.1 Megapixels
Leica 12x Optical Zoom Lens
True 25mm Wide Angle
3″ LCD
GPS Geotagging
High-Speed Autofocus
Optical Image Stabilization
Intelligent Scene Detection
High Sensitivity (ISO 6400)
HD Video Recording (AVCHD Lite)

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 is a full-featured, compact digital camera with full high-definition video recording built-in. CCD image sensor.

12x Optical Zoom Leica DC Vario-Elmar Lens

Leica optics are world-renowned for their high quality and exceptional value. Coupled with the LUMIX DMC-ZS7, the 12x Optical Zoom Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens provides dramatic wide angle to telephoto coverage. This range represents an incredible 35mm equivalent of 25-300mm. From landscapes to portraits, macro to sports action shots, this optic ensures first-class image quality in an ultra-convenient focal range.

I hadn’t had the opportunity to use a Panasonic camera from this era before and after a few test pics I can say I’m impressed. 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.

new kid on the block – Nikon L35AF

October 24, 2022October 24, 2022Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Can’t wait to shoot a roll! More to come. – Chris

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Happy SUNday! – fun finds

October 23, 2022October 23, 2022Chris and Carol Leave a comment

It’s been a busy and productive week meeting with clients. Lots of photo gear to “play” with and lots of new cameras to go on a photo walk with.

I scored a recently hard-to-find fresh roll of this awesome Kodak film.

Not to be outdone by the ColorPlus I bought a roll of this classic from Kodak (fresh through 2024).

A Mamiyaflex C2 is in good working order. I have the interchangeable lenses for it waiting in the wings and a fresh roll of Kodak Portra 400.

I picked up this gorgeous Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 12.1MP camera. It’s a blast to use and produces stunning images (I haven’t turned on the GPS yet).

If only! I purchased three Mamiya sales brochures that I just had to have (since I don’t actually own the cameras).

Although it’s not made by the original Yashica I had to have this “cheesy” camera anyway!

I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to add this stunning Canon to my collection.

Last but not everything, this like-new Canon Sure Shot 85 Zoom Date 35mm compact point & shoot film camera with a crazy sharp lens.

There’s actually more to show but I’ll leave those for a bit later. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! – Chris

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Yashica Model LM 44

October 14, 2022October 14, 2022Chris and Carol Leave a comment

A beautiful example of this interesting camera from Yashica.

With its original box and still looking like new.

The LM 44 had a built-in light meter (LM) and used 127-roll film.

Produced from 1959 to 1965. It was much smaller than a 120-roll film TLR.

If you’re interested in these collectible twin-lens cameras (TLR) from Yashica remember that they use the now discontinued 127-roll film vice the common 120-roll film. I understand that there are ways to re-spool 120 films on 127 film rolls. Thanks for stopping by. – Chris

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wordless wednesday

October 12, 2022October 12, 2022Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Thanks for stopping by. – Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

twosday 2 fer – Random Yashica

October 11, 2022October 11, 2022Chris and Carol 2 Comments

A couple of images were recently “discovered” in my image files.

The Yashica Pentamatic ’35’ was Yashica’s first 35mm SLR. Designed with the assistance of Nicca camera which Yashica acquired in 1958.

The Yashica Flex S was the first TLR (twin-lens reflex) to have an attached but uncoupled exposure meter attached. The Minicam flash was a very popular flash unit in the mid-1950s.

Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

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Mamiyaflex and Fuji Film

September 27, 2022September 27, 2022Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I’ve always enjoyed collecting classic cameras and often those vintage cameras would have an unused (and sometimes used but undeveloped) film with them. So I naturally decided to start collecting expired film as it is a pleasant reminder of the films that you used in the past.

Mamiyaflex II on the left and a Mamiyaflex Junior on the right.

Expired Fuji Film NEOPAN F – January 1964

Three decades were covered – 1948, 1952, and 1964. Do you collect vintage film? What’s your oldest? 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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Beautiful Yashica A III Set – 1959

September 20, 2022September 20, 2022Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I’ve decided to part with my rather rare Yashica A III camera set. The A III was the last model ‘A’ that Yashica produced in that line and this one was only made between April 1959 to August 1960 with release mostly in Japan and later in Europe in very limited numbers.

This camera was made in November 1959 and features light dove gray leatherette over dark gray metal and it came with a light gray leather case. Everything about this camera is unique, especially the instruction booklet (English gent in the bowler). The booklet is over 80 pages in length and it goes way beyond giving instruction in the operation of the model A III. It includes (in English) a brief history of the beginnings of the company and the founder. I’ve never seen another copy of this booklet in all of my years of collecting Yashica products.

Gray on gray. The gray leatherette is clean and stain and discoloration free.

The camera operates as it should and the optics are clean, clear, and sharp. I believe that the camera has been on display in a collection for a long time before I acquired it. The original box is in outstanding condition and unlike most boxes from that period, it is super clean and still solid. That in itself is a rare find. The gray leather case is also a rare find as it is also still in excellent condition. All of the stitching is in place and the leather is subtle and clean.

The original leather case has done an excellent job of protecting this wonderful camera.

If you are interested in purchasing my camera set I have it in my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com or we can make arrangements to purchase it through this blog and PayPal. As always, thanks for stopping by! – Chris

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A Yashica A III and its ‘hat’…

September 14, 2022September 14, 2022Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I’m a sucker for a classic camera that looks like it was in a museum its whole life and still works like new (who wouldn’t?). I especially love vintage cameras that have some if not all of their original marketing bits and pieces. Here is a perfect example of why I collect and chase classic cameras.

This terrific little eye-catcher is affectionately known as a ‘hat’. That piece of paperboard that’s sitting on top of my Yashica A III. When you went into a camera shop back in the day, there were dozens of shiney new cameras wanting to catch your eye. One way to do so was to plop a hat on your camera to make it stand out and communicate something in the briefest of glances.

Nothing Earth-shaking but enough to tell you something without asking the salesperson anything. The price, some shutter specs, and of course, the type of lens. A nice leather case for another 800 yen. I’ve had a few of these hats from Yashica in my collection and they never fail to put a smile on my face (I know, I’m easily entertained). Thanks for stopping by. Have you seen a similar thing on another brand’s TLR? If so, let me know, or better yet share a pic. Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

Yashica cameras and so much more!

Tag Made in Japan

Panasonic DMC-ZS7 Lumix Digicam

new kid on the block – Nikon L35AF

Happy SUNday! – fun finds

Yashica Model LM 44

wordless wednesday

twosday 2 fer – Random Yashica

Mamiyaflex and Fuji Film

Mamiyaflex II – 1952

Beautiful Yashica A III Set – 1959

A Yashica A III and its ‘hat’…