Canon EOS 50D – finally an affordable 15-megapixel DSLR

November 10, 2021November 10, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I get a big kick out of collecting these late 2000’s DSLRs from makers like Canon and Nikon. Prices for gently used models are quite reasonable and the supply is literally endless. Of course, you want to look for cameras with a relatively low shutter count but since these were semi-pro models they could take some rough use and still enjoy a long life due to their robust build.

Yep, expect old-fashioned CF cards in these beasts. Wow, 128MB!

How many cameras look exactly like this? Looks normal doesn’t it?

I managed to get this many images before disaster!

Then this screen appeared after the mirror failed to return to its proper position which is down. Yep, the locked up and then this. I kind of knew this model was prone to this but I bought this camera from a local client who had purchased it new. It has about 16K shutter accusations (young for this model). When I was testing it this hadn’t appeared yet so I bought it along with a nice (I hope) flock of Canon EF lenses.

In order to get the mirror back into its shooting position (down) I have to turn off the camera, remove the lens, turn it back on and fire the shutter. The mirror then resets itself for the next failure which will be right after the next shot… then repeat over and over again. There may be a way to reset the camera’s brain but I haven’t discovered it yet. I’ve tried four different EF lenses (3 Canons and 1 Sigma) with no change. The last firmware update was in 2012 or so and no help from that update either.

Lesson learned – none really as I know that as these older (2008) digital cameras age all sorts of glitches can happen no matter how well designed. I still enjoy collecting from this period and one “bad” experience won’t turn me off. Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day! – Chris

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.

Carol’s new Canon AE-1, Japan 1978

November 9, 2021November 9, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

When Carol and I lived in Yokohama, Japan back in the late 1970s we were happily acquiring our first bits of Canon gear. Here Carol gets her Canon AE-1 in pro-black complete with a power winder, ever-ready leather case, and 50mm f1.4 lens. She enjoyed using the camera with its case attached as the case covered the body with the winder attached. Fun times! Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Fujicaflex – Superman as a TLR!

November 8, 2021November 8, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Certainly a tough but worthy camera to chase. As of today, there are only two for sale on eBay and both are in Japan.

Heavy metal!

An example of a complete set. This wasn’t my camera but it was the same seller that sold me mine (from Thailand).

If Superman was disguised as a TLR he’d be the Fijicaflex by Fuji Photo Film Company. Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

You never know.

November 8, 2021November 8, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Collecting is a powerful motivator. When I first listed this wonderful collection of boxes for the Canon AE-1 Program I thought it would be a perfect fit for someone looking to round out their Canon collection. I know I try very hard to collect classic cameras with their original boxes as I like the look of a camera with its box. Silly I know but fun!

Whenever I buy large collections locally I’m always looking for orphaned boxes – boxes that their cameras are long ago sold or in some cases, stolen. I picked up this super clean box set and listed it in my online camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com with the hope that it would find a new home. It did and what surprised me the most is that it was sold to a collector in France. Postage and VAT were incredible (nearly $75) on top of the sale price I had it listed for. Powerful motivation. But I’ve done the same purchasing nice boxes from Japan to add to my collection. Actually, when you think about it I’m just a worldwide recycler! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! – Chris

Canon EOS 500N – lightweight 35mm SLR that’s perfect today.

November 6, 2021November 6, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

When looking for a simple and lightweight 35mm single-lens reflex film camera look no further than this hard-working Canon. Released in 1996 and is still a very capable camera to this day. Mine has the Canon Zoom EF 35-80mm f4-5.6 III attached and everything is in top working condition.

One of the advantages of this camera is its ease of use and as the title suggests is light in weight. With two CR123 batteries installed and with the lens attached (lens cap too) it weighs just 546 grams with is super easy to carry around as the primary or secondary camera while on a photo walk.

The camera is capable of full manual shooting as the lens can be taken off autofocus and exposures both aperture and shutter speed set by the user. It also features 10 creative and programmed exposure modes including macro.

I’ve added it to my online camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com if you’re interested in purchasing it.

Happy SUNday! – Classic Asahi Pentax K1000

October 31, 2021October 31, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Happy day all, thanks for stopping by! Today I have a very nice early model Asahi Pentax K1000 from the late 1970s. One of the longest-running 35mm SLRs ever made. I find it rather compact compared to other cameras from the same period so it’s a little hard for me to get a good comfortable hold on the body. That doesn’t mean it’s not a good camera but I tend to like a bigger body especially on the right side where I usually grip the camera. Its simple design and rugged reliability are its claim to fame (low cost too).

I’ve just listed this in my online camera shop yesterday and it just sold to a client in Finland! My Etsy Shop (www.ccstudio2380.com) has a tremendous worldwide appeal which I’m most appreciative of. It’s fun to think that cameras that have been a part of my collection can end up finding a new home almost anywhere on Earth (that’s the best part of online selling). I had a vintage Japanese-made auxiliary viewfinder from the 1950s end up going back to Japan last week from my eBay site – cool!

Here is the Asahi Pentax K1000

Includes a gorgeous Asahi Optical Company SMC Pentax-M f2 50mm lens and instruction booklet from 1981.

Engraved Asahi Opt. Co. on the right rear top plate.

An early serial number indicated it was made in Japan. Interestingly the lens has been made in Taiwan.

Awesome Yashica collectible!

October 27, 2021October 27, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Hello and Happy Wednesday! I’ve just added a really hard-to-find Yashica collectible in my online camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com – pop on over and check it out.

It’s in very nice condition showing no signs of use. It’s from around 1966 or so when Yashica introduced the Electro 35 camera. A mat like this would be typically used by a camera dealer to place on a countertop to show and protect the camera he was showing to a customer. It’s about 16.25 by 10.50 inches. The raised gold letters look as bright and shiny as new.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

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, Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris.

wordless (almost) wednesday

October 20, 2021October 20, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Yashica Flex AS-II made in November 1954

Thanks for stopping by and have a classic day!

Can a DSLR from 2007 be considered a classic camera?

October 17, 2021October 17, 2021Chris and Carol 5 Comments

I’ll answer that straight away – yes. I believe the design of the Canon EOS 40D and its cousins are in a way timeless. By today’s standards 10.1-megapixels isn’t a lot but when you get down to it it’s enough for sharp images on your computer. Most people never print their images so if you’ve got a sharp monitor you’re good.

EOS 40D

The Spirit of Photography.
Welcome to the next generation of digital SLR photography-the Canon EOS 40D. The EOS 40D combines Canon’s tremendous know-how in both the digital and photographic worlds, creating a camera that not only does everything one would expect of a traditional digital SLR, but one that incorporates staggering leaps forward in technological innovation. With new features like Canon’s EOS Integrated Cleaning System, Live View Function, a more powerful DIGIC III Image Processor, plus a 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, a 3.0-inch LCD monitor and more, the EOS 40D elevates digital photography to new heights, enhancing the shooting experience, and delivering images one could only expect from a Canon.

Canon’s lineup from a Spring 2009 sales brochure.

The Canon EOS 40D is a fun camera to use even to this day. Simple. compact but built to a higher standard than the Canon EOS Rebel line. It uses any EF or EF-S lens and when paired with a modern EF-S IS lens it’s a joy to use even when shooting focal lengths up through 200-300mm.

https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/products/details/cameras/support-dslr/eos-40d/eos-40d

I have this wonderful set (yep, mint condition) for sale in my online camera shop. It’s been fully tested, it’s super clean, and has only 5K shutter actuations!

Thanks for stopping by!

Minolta Maxxum 7000i aka Dynax and a-7000i

October 14, 2021October 14, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Hello all! The next camera from my collection is headed to my online camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Everything was still Made in Japan with this model.

Everything has been tested with a fresh Panasonic 2CR5 battery and all is good. The flash “talks” to the camera controls making nearly automatic flash photography simple and easy. The Minolta bag is like new and so is the camera – only a few scuffs here and there on the outside finish. It’s super clean inside and out (just like all of my cameras). The AF Minolta 50mm f1.7 lens is optically clean, clear, and sharp. Two Minolta camera straps are included as is the front and rear lens caps and body cap. The eyepiece, hot-shoe cover, and 2 expansion cards are also included. What I like is just how simple this camera can be to operate in full automatic mode or go old school and go full on manual.

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

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