Fujifilm’s ‘JP’ Model X-T5

July 2, 2025July 2, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I know, the title looks like a mathematical equation. Fujifilm (USA) is now selling its most popular models made in Japan instead of China to avoid its US customers from paying the high tariffs imposed on China. Here is a snip from Fuji’s website this morning (July 2, 2025). The ‘JP’ designates that the camera is made in Japan.

That’s quite a difference in the price between a Chinese-made X-T5 and a made-in-Japan model. Currently, Fujifilm has the X-T5 (Silver Model) in stock. If you’re interested in this camera, I suggest you move quickly, as it’s likely to sell out.

I use the Fujifilm X-T2 and love it. Would I like to upgrade to the X-T5? Yes!

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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Comments are always welcome; I’ve learned a great deal from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by. While there, visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios, hosted on 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. Copyright © 2015-2025 Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris (Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic), Chris Whelan. All rights reserved.

Happy SUNday! – I take an old friend out for a photowalk.

June 29, 2025June 29, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

The Nikon L35AF was Nikon’s first 35mm autofocus camera. Its reputation is top-notch, which is the name it is known by in Japan – Picaichi. No swooping lines here, just a solidly built gem from the 1980s.

The Nikon features a super-sharp f/2.8 35mm lens.

Loaded with fresh Fujifilm 200. Not my favorite since Fuji dropped the better versions, but it’s still colorful and contrasty.

They came in two models. The first was an ISO 400, and the updated one was ISO 1000. This is the latter ISO 1000 one.

I just added this very nice, unused Canon CPS Think Tank camera bag to my Etsy camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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Comments are always welcome; I’ve learned quite a bit from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by. While there, visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios, hosted on Etsy). – Chris Whelan

Asahiflex IIa – one of the original 35mm SLRs

June 19, 2025June 19, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

From Japan, released in 1955. The Asahiflex IIa was one of Japan’s first 35mm SLR cameras.

The Asahiflex IIa with a gorgeous Asahi-Kogaku Takumar f/3.5 50mm lens.

The Asahiflex had interchangeable screw-in lenses.

The Asahiflex IIa and a Nicca 3-S. The Nicca is from 1956.

This is a Leica IIIg from 1956. It was made in Germany and features a sharp Leica Summaron f/3.5 3.5cm lens.

It’s a great camera to add to any early 35mm camera collection, and there are plenty still available to collect.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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Contax Classic – 137 MD Quartz

April 8, 2025April 8, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

50th Anniversary Edition (1932-1982). It will be in my camera shop soon.

It can be used as a fully automatic exposure camera (just focus and shoot).

It will include all of the original paperwork and, as a bonus, both the English and Japanese user’s manuals and sales brochures. Watch my shop.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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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

Friday Fotos! – Contax Crazy

April 4, 2025April 4, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

My Contax RTS with a Contax RTW W-3 and Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5 Macro Zoom lens.
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The Carl Zeiss lens is super sharp, and the zoom range is perfect for my type of photography.

It’s not complete without the appropriate Contax overdesigned and oversized lens hood.

The original Contax RTS (Real Time System) is a joy to use. If you are looking for a classic 35mm SLR to add to your collection, look no further than the RTS.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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Canon’s amazing 35mm SLR, the EF (1973-1978)

March 9, 2025March 9, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

In many ways, it’s better than the much more famous F-1.

It’s also known as the Canon Black Beauty. It’s built on the F-1’s frame but does not have interchangeable viewfinders or the ability to use a power winder or motor drive.

The EF was first released in 1973, just two years after the F-1. It was Canon’s first aperture-priority camera, well before the AE-1.

The standard lens is the Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 S.S.C. shown here with its lens hood.

Here, a Canon EF and its cousin, the Canon F-1. The F-1 is shown in a limited-edition olive drab.

The Canon EF is a worthy camera for your collection. The ability to electronically time exposures from 1/2 to 30 seconds accurately makes it more versatile than the F-1 in its base form.

The view in the viewfinder. The later EFs had a split-image and microprism focusing screen.

An earlier EF with the FD 50mm F/1.8 S.C. lens.

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Interesting read about the Japanese lens maker, Zunow.

March 7, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Vintage lens makers – Zunow (Japan)

The Original 35mm SLR from Asahi Pentax

March 1, 2025March 1, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Asahi Pentax

The original Asahi Pentax 35mm SLR (1957-1958), equipped with a Takumar 58mm f/2 lens and an Asahi 46mm UV filter.

It’s a fully functional gem.

The camera was in Australia, and the lens was in Japan; now, they are together in the U.S.

I’m happy to add them to my collection.

It’s credited as being the first modern 35mm SLR camera. It doesn’t look much different from later SLRs from other manufacturers. It was preceded by the Asahiflex pictured below.

The Asahiflex IIa was the first ‘modern’ 35mm SLR from 1955. It featured a pop-up viewing hood instead of an eye-level pentaprism like the later Asahi Pentax original from 1957.

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Asahiflex IIa – 1955

February 15, 2025February 15, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Asahi Optical Company, Asahiflex IIa with a Takumar f3.5 50mm lens. Japan’s first 35mm SLR film camera. Notice the film-like look of this image using a vintage lens.

The Asahiflex IIa (first image above) was photographed with a 1959 Auto-Takumar f/3.5 35mm lens mounted via an adapter on my Fujifilm X-T2.

On the left, Nicca 3-S 35mm rangefinder camera (1954) and on the right, the Asahiflex IIa (1955). Note the similarity between the two. Both used interchangeable lenses, but the Asahiflex allowed for direct through-the-lens viewing via the pop-up viewing hood.

The Asahiflex uses 37mm screw-in lenses, and the Nicca uses 39mm screw-in lenses, just like a Leica camera from the same period.

Expensive for the mid-1950s but not overly so.

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Canon AE-1 Olympic Set

January 23, 2025January 23, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

From the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics.

Classic Canon AE-1 35mm SLR film camera.

Shown with a sharp Canon New FD 50mm f/1.8 lens.

My set will include everything pictured (minus the display stand).

This is the last AE-1 in my extensive Canon camera collection.

This beautiful set is now available in my Etsy camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com. It’s been professionally serviced and returned to factory specifications, including a new battery. Just add the film!

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