Thanks to a tip I received from Mike Bowman, I was able to grab this snip from the 1961 sci-fi movie ‘The Phantom Planet’ of a Yashica YT-100 tape recorder! It was part of the dashboard of a spaceship control panel. If you want to see for yourself, it’s at time stamp 41:47 in the very campy movie.A nice original boxed set from 1960.
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
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!
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
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.Ad from 1983 or early 1984.Got to have the instructions.The details.I just added this very nice, unused Canon CPS Think Tank camera bag to my Etsy camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com.
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
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.
1956 advertisement.The waist-level finder open.With the waist-level viewfinder closed.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.
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
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
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. www.ccstudio2380.com
The Contax RTS was released in 1975.I added a Contax Real Time Winder W-3.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.Instruction booklet from 1977.Ad from 1976.
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.
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
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.Another EF in my collection.
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.
From the Japanese instruction book.The view in the viewfinder. The later EFs had a split-image and microprism focusing screen.From my EF released in Japan.An earlier EF with the FD 50mm F/1.8 S.C. lens.
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
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.Asahi Pentax H2 – 1959.Asahi Pentax SL – 1968.Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SP – 1966.
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
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.Asahiflex IIa advertisement.Expensive for the mid-1950s but not overly so.
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