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, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris, Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris.
I wish! If it was the real camera, Canon’s first, it would be worth around ten thousand dollars in average working condition and well a lot more in mint condition. Instead this is a replica of that very first Canon made by Canon to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Canon (2012).
A 1:1.4 scale model (replica) of the original HANSA Canon 35mm rangefinder camera.Like most of my collectibles this one is still unopened and un-played with. The HANSA Canon story.BTW, the original lens was made by Nikon for Canon. See image below.The real thing. This is what an original Hansa Canon looks like and it’s available online for around $17.5K on eBay 353374854594
Since the real thing is beyond my and most people’s budgets, then this fine replica will just have to do. The HANSA Canon existed at the same time as the original 1930s Leicas. Which one was the better camera?
The replica is available in my camera shop.
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, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris, Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris.
Happy Sunday all! Here’s three classic Yashicas that are certainly worth the chase. The only one that I’d consider rare or hard to find is the pro-black body J-3.
The Yashica J-3 in black was never advertised as best as I’ve been able to find out after years of searching and for the most part flew under the radar in sales and marketing. Fewer than 2,000 were made (unofficial count) and few remain today in mint or near mint (working) condition. It was Yashica’s first black 35mm SLR until the TL Electro X in black came along in 1968. There were chrome versions of both cameras that sold alongside the black models. Conversely, the TL Electro X ITS (Integrated Technology System) was only available in black and featured the gold electron symbol on the pentaprism. BTW, the Yashica Sailor Boy advertising figurine pictured here is the taller 20 cm dealer model and no, he’s not naked.
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, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris, Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris.
Certainly a classic worthy of a chase. Beautiful lines, excellent features, awesome accessories – oh, and a wide selection of quality Mamiya-Sekor lenses.
This is an early model of the M645 – probably 1975 or so.
Interchangeable lenses, backs, finders, focusing screens, winders and probably a few bits I overlooked.
If you’re looking to explore medium-format photography and you want a camera that can be as creative as you and be used like a 35mm SLR, then the M645 is the way to go. Look for clean and damage free examples that haven’t been beaten to near death by a professional wedding or studio photog (no offense to those pros but I wouldn’t want their cameras).
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, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris, Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris.
A handsome no frills 35mm Single-Lens Reflex camera.
A camera worthy of a good chase – we were lucky enough to find this one complete with its original box back in 2016. Nice examples are out there but don’t rush into just any one you find. Remember, cameras this age will need some attention especially the light seals (an easy fix) and possibly a good cleaning. Avoid cameras with lots of external corrosion or pitting on the chrome finish and peeling leatherette. Signs of a moist environment which is death to older electronics.
This one we’re thinking is from about late 1967. It was first introduced in 1966.
It’s a beautiful camera… the silver paint from the factory is a bit smoother than later finishes which tend to be grainy.
Yashica’s first TTL metered SLR so it is an important camera in Yashica’s evolution to even more sophisticated 35mm SLRs in 1968. The next major camera in the line was the famous TL Electro X.
Made by Tomioka Optical, the super sharp 50mm f1.4 lens has a great reputation for producing quality images at all apertures.
The Yashica TL Super with a Auto Yashinon lens can be an affordable camera set to start your adventures in film photography. Look for clean and damage free bodies and always buy the best your budget will allow.
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, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris, Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris.
The original Pentamatic 35 with a rare Tominon branded lens.
In the field.In the studio.
The Yashica Pentamatic is a very worthy camera to chase after. About 20K were made but since it wasn’t considered a collectors camera not many were saved in mint condition. The next camera was the Pentamatic II and it was only available for purchase in Japan. The final model was the Pentamatic S and only about 5K were made.
I’ve always loved the lines of the Pentamatic – so modern and uncluttered but so retro at the same time. BTW, there’s no self-timer on this model and the shutter button was mounted on the front – right where your pointer finger naturally wants to be.
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, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris, Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris.
We love Yashicas here on the blog and I can’t tell you how many enjoyable hours have been spent chasing these classic beauties from the 1950s.
This one was made in 1962 and features Yashikor lenses (the bottom lens is the “taking lens” and the top lens is the “viewing lens”.
As simple as simple gets so you’re likely to find one of these in a fully functioning condition. Not much can go wrong with these unless they’ve been abused or stored improperly.The focus knob is on the right and the film advance knob is on the left. Simple.The little door on the back has a red plastic window under it so that you can see which exposure you’re on as you’re advancing the film. Simple.An accessory shoe and the two film spool knobs.Opening and closing the camera is done by this rather large knob on the bottom.You’ll get 12 exposures from a roll of 120 roll film, either color negative, color transparencies, or black and white negatives in a large 6 x 6 cm (2 1/4 x 2 1/4″). BTW, that is the backside of the taking lens. If you look closely you can see the leaf shutter inside the lens.What a deal! $29.95 and the leather case for 1/5th the cost.One of the easiest instruction booklets to follow. The Yashica A was made for beginner photogs on a budget.
So there you have it, our pick of the day. If you’re looking to get into medium format film photography then give this Yashica model a try. Use my example as a guide as to what to look for when you’re looking at purchasing one for yourself. No corrosion, complete leatherette coverings, clean and clear lenses, and no missing parts. Good luck!
May I suggest a visit to my good friend Paul Sokk’s site at http://www.yashicatlr.com/66ModelsPage1.html for some of the best information you’ll find anywhere about all things Yashica, Nicca, Leotax, and more.
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, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris, Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris.
I like their simple lines and I think they look uncluttered without the clunky self-timer lever stuck on its face.M42 screw-in lens mount so most of my Yashinon (Tomioka) lenses will fit but not always correctly. The same goes for my Fujinon lenses.
Happy Monday! As I was surfing through my archives of cameras that have long since departed and I came across this little gem – the Asahi Pentax H2. I’ve always been fond of these, I guess I just like their look and the solid feel in your hands. I haven’t had much luck with them over the years as I almost always end up with a stuck in the up position mirror or some other shutter or film advance issue. They’re quite old now so a good CLA would bring them back. Too late for that with this one as it was purged in a big sell off years ago.
If you’re looking for an interesting classic camera to chase the H2 is worth your time and energy. As with all older SLRs look for the best you can afford. It may not work but it will look good sitting around.
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, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris, Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris.
Before built-in self-timers were available on cameras there had to be a way to remotely trigger the shutter so that the photographer could get into the picture or to prevent camera shake when shooting at slow shutter speeds. That’s where this little gizmo came in (and dozens more like it).
They’re very popular with classic camera collectors and this gem sold within 24 hours of listing it in my camera shop (www.ccstudio2380.com).
More than likely only a few manufacturers made these things for other companies and collecting all of the different models and versions can be a whole fun branch of camera collecting.They simply screwed into the shutter button just like a cable release and with the action of a mechanical timer would fire the shutter. Usually anywhere from 5 to 10 seconds or just enough time to get in the shot.Hansa refers to the Omiya Photo Supply Company. Please see http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/%C5%8Cmiya
Interestingly back in 1936 the first Canon camera made after their name change from “Kwanon” had the word “Hansa” engraved on the top of the camera and that camera is commonly referred to as the “Hansa Canon”. To my eye the way Hansa is written on the case of this timer is the same as Hansa was engraved on the Canon. The “H” and “A” being slightly modified by the 1950s. Certainly the “S” is spot on. For more about this bit of interesting Canon history please visit https://www.canonrangefinder.org/Canon_Hansa.htm
So if you’re looking to collect something different from the 1950s and it’s related to photo gear, then these self-timers can provide hours of fun searching and researching. Heck, I’ve seen the Hansa timer in about every color case you can imagine from this striking green to blue, and yellow!
By the way, the little “Hc” in the circle just may relate back to “Hansa Canon”. Something to think about.
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, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris, Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris.
Maidenhair ferns at f2.8 – soft non-distracting background
This stunning image (above) was taken through a lens that was made in Japan in the 1950s. What I love about using these well-cared for bits of photographic history is that they produce a level of clarity and sharpness but without the razor sharp and sometimes unnatural look you get with today’s best digital cameras and modern lenses. In my opinion, vintage glass mounted on a mirrorless digital camera is the best of both worlds.
Japanese garden lantern shot at around f8 – nearly perfect focus of the entire roofAzalea blossoms shot at about one meter at f4 – soft circular highlights and gorgeous bokehShot at 135mm at f5.6 – here the background is not pleasing as the sky is bright blue and cloudless – see image belowBetter – shot at f16-f22Nice separation and spot on focus of the top of the flagpole – 135mm at f8Fujifilm X-A10 digital mirrorless camera with Fotodiox M42-FX adapter. The T-mount is changeable and in this case I’ve mounted an M42 screw-in adapter. M42 bodies are typically found on older Yashica, Pentax, Fujica, and many other 35mm SLR cameras.
Let me introduce the star of this post. A wonderful 135mm short telephoto lens made by Sankor for Spiratone. It’s a fast f2.8 lens of a sonnar design with multi-coated surfaces (Tc).
If you own or have been thinking of purchasing a digital mirrorless camera then definitely look into shooting with these classic lenses. I think you’ll find its an interesting diversion from the world of autofocus (and image stabilized) modern lenses. It tends to slow you down and makes you appreciate the photographic process.
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 