Modern Marvel – Canon’s little digital IXY

January 19, 2021January 19, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

2003 seems like a lifetime ago with what all that’s happened since then. In the field of electronics, specifically digital photography, the changes and advancements have been monumental.

Take this groundbreaking digital camera from Canon. Released towards the end of 2003, the Canon IXY Digital L as it was known in Japan (Canon PowerShot SD10 Digital ELPH here in the US) listed at an amazingly high price of $349! For that amount of money you got a sharp fixed 6.4mm f/2.8 Canon lens and 4.1 megapixels. The images were recorded on a standard SD card (only the second Canon digital to do that) hence the US name ‘SD10’.

Canon’s ultracompact digital beauty.

This tiny camera was offered in four colors – this one is Piano Black.

Bright and sharp 1.5 inch LCD screen. Here’s an example of a near macro shot of my keyboard.

Every version of this camera carries the same model number – PC1060. A pocket-friendly 3/4 inch profile with the lens retracted.

What surprises me the most about this camera is the quality of the images. It’s amazing what 4 MP can do with a tiny CCD sensor and high-quality Canon optics. Here’s a few samples below.

A high-contrast scene was still rendered correctly albeit with a rather slow autofocus.

The Canon 6.4mm lens gives a nice 39mm equivalent in 35mm.

Talk about a dusty keyboard! Close-up shot with auto flash. Not bad for such a tiny camera.

If you like collecting older digital cameras then this one is a must. I’m not quite sure how I ended up with the Japanese market model vice the common US model. In markets outside Japan and the US the camera is known as the Digital IXUS i.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to stop by my shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com – Chris

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.

SUNday Spotlight – Olympus Classic

January 17, 2021January 17, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

One of the most popular 35mm SLR cameras – ever.

Olympus OM-1n with Zuiko MC Auto-S 50mm f/1.8 made between 1979-1987.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to stop by my shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com – Chris

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.

Nikon’s Gem of a Lens – f/1.4 50mm AI

January 16, 2021January 16, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Nikon Nikkor lenses have been praised since the dawn of time (a slight exaggeration) and in some cases rightly so. This Nikkor lens is right up there in its reputation as a fast quality lens that’s as relevant today as when it was made.

Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI lens made between 1977 to 1981. Don’t confuse this with the later AIS lens which immediately followed this lens.

It takes 52mm filters and caps, has a seven blade aperture, features seven elements in six groups, close focusses to 1.5 feet, and weighs in at 255 grams. It uses the famous Nikon F-mount.

Here I’ve included a nice B+W 52E 010 1X filter for protection. The lens is of course made in Japan.

This lens functions perfectly and the front and rear elements are clean and clear but there is some dust specs inside and some light haze. In my test shots with my Nikon D800 the lens performed well with the imperfections not visible in the final images.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to stop by my shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com – Chris

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.

Another Yashica Sailor Boy

January 11, 2021January 11, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Here’s another look at this post about Yashica’s Sailor Boy.

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

Those of you who follow this blog know that our main collecting passion lies with most everything from Yashica. The Yashica TL Electro X was my first 35mm SLR and since then my collection of all things Yashica has grown substantially.

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On the left is the original Yashica Sailor Boy (1962) – to the right is the Wee Willie Winkie version from around 1966 or so. Yashica has never officially named these guys so we’re assigning them names just to make identification easier.

Recently this version popped up for sale in Japan and although we didn’t purchase him I’d like to at least show another side of this collectible figurine.

YSB 35

All three of these versions were made in Japan by Modern Plastics during the 1960s. The football guy wearing number 35 was more than likely promoting Yashica’s line of 35mm cameras but little else is know about him. He is…

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Chasing Classic Cameras 2020

January 2, 2021January 2, 2021Chris and Carol 2 Comments

2020 was a pretty dynamic year as far as our camera collection was concerned. Lots of outgoing cameras and lenses and a few (well more than a few) additions. Here’s my top 6 new members of the hoard.

An eclectic mix of cameras presented in no particular order.

Canon EOS-1N RS. The Superman of Canon’s 35mm SLR film cameras. This one is from about 1998. The high-speed motor drive is built-in and at its fastest its capable of shooting 10 fps! Here it has a gorgeous Canon EF AF 50mm f1.4 USM lens mounted.

Zeiss Ikon Contax IIIa from 1951 is a 35mm interchangeable lens rangefinder film camera. A fully operational Contax IIIa from early 1951. Here it’s pictured with the exposure meter flap in the closed position. The Carl Zeiss Sonnar f/1.5 50mm lens is in excellent condition as is the camera. Even the exposure meter is working!

The last in the long line of Leica L39 (LSM) interchangeable lens rangefinder cameras. This is the famous Leica IIIg with the Leicavit winder attached. The lens is a wonderful and sharp Ernst Leitz Summaron f3.5 35mm wide-angle lens.

I didn’t need to add this full-frame monster to my collection but when the opportunity came along to own it I couldn’t pass. At 36 MP it will laser etch your eyes with it’s resolution. Here it’s got a sharp AF Nikkor 50mm f1.4 lens. The only downside to this camera is no built-in image stabilization so you need a tripod (at least I do) for any shot with a lens over 135mm.

My favorite Yashica hands down. This classic 35mm SLR film camera is in mint condition and came with its original box. From May 1970.

Yashica-Nicca YF – August 1959. Mated with a sharp Yashinon f1.8 5cm lens. This Yashica is a 35mm interchangeable lens film camera that uses L39 (LSM) lenses.

Believe it or not but there’s a few more not listed here. I’ll blog about those soon. There were many more outgoing cameras in our collection in 2020 which is always a good thing. You can’t keep them all.

Thanks for stopping by and a big thanks to all of my new followers that joined the blog in 2020. Also a very big thanks to all of my followers since day one back in 2015. I couldn’t have ever imagined over 700 followers in my wildest dreams. Thanks!!! – Chris

Be sure to stop by my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

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.

Canon Professional Services EOS-1N RS

December 23, 2020December 23, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Canon EOS-1N RS SLR. (RS = Rapid Speed). One of the best late model film cameras made by Canon. The later model EOS-1v was released in 2000 and was at the time the best a professional could get their hands on. In the current used markets the 1v goes for 2 to 3 times the cost of a little used 1N RS. The specs between the two cameras are not that different to justify the extra cost. About the best thing a 1v has going for it is that it’s anywhere from 5 to 8 years newer so maybe it could last longer. I don’t buy that argument as both are built to exceed professional standards for reliability and durability. One could argue that the EOS-1v may have been used harder by professionals than the EOS-1N RS.

You can read more about the 1v at Canon’s wonderful site https://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/film218.html

Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

Be sure to stop by my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

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.

Canon’s Technological Wonder EOS-1N RS

December 22, 2020December 22, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Back in late 1994 Canon released the newest member of their EOS 35mm SLR film camera family, the EOS-1N. This hyper-talented camera series would be the last 35mm film cameras made by Canon on the dawn of the digital age.

**The motor drive in the RS was non-removable and was capable of up to 10fps in the high-speed continuous mode!!**

**Scan from the Canon EOS-1N sales brochure for the RS – 1994**

**Scan of the instruction manual – Japanese Edition 1995**

**Pictured with its standard lens – Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM**

Do I need the high-speed function of a 35mm SLR film camera that goes through film like it’s a movie camera? Heck no, but it’s a blast owning it (kinda like a Corvette). You don’t need it but it’s fun to drive.

As the weather turns more favorable for out and about shooting I hope to take this marvel for a spin around town (pandemic appropriate of course).

Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

Be sure to stop by my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

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.

Saturday Spotlight – My favorite RF

December 19, 2020December 19, 2020Chris and Carol 1 Comment

Whenever I reminisce about classic cameras from the 1950s it’s hard not to think of this Nicca camera inspired by the iconic Leica 35mm rangefinder (RF).

By today’s standards there’s nothing easy about using a camera from this era. Some of the “negatives” – manual focusing using a rangefinder (not thru the lens like an SLR), manual exposure and shutter speed settings, difficult film loading, and lots of add-ons just to be able to shoot with a wide angle or telephoto lens to name just a few. The positives – this is considered to be a miniature camera (compared to other film cameras), interchangeable lenses, rugged construction, excellent lens choices, and portability. I like this camera because it just feels right cradled in your hand.

Tiny 2.8cm (28mm) wide angle lens made by Nippon Kogaku (Nikkor-Nikon).

Optical viewfinder that provided the correct angle of view of the 2.8cm lens.

Nippon Kogaku W-Nikkor.C f3.5 2.8cm lens.

Optical viewfinder mounted on the Nicca’s accessory shoe.

If you want to experience film photography in its purest form then check out one of these amazing machines from the 1950s. Leica, Nicca, Yashica, Canon, Nikon, Leotax, and dozens more.

Totally random here but I wanted to give a shout out to my friend Peggy’s WordPress site at https://cameragocamera.com/ It’s a lot of fun to visit and she’s tested nearly every camera on the planet (almost) nearly every camera. Pop on over for a read and be sure to click follow while you’re there.

Thanks for stopping by and have a safe and beautiful day! – Chris

Be sure to stop by my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

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.

Happy SUNday! – Fujifilm Mickey Mouse

December 13, 2020December 13, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Fujifilm MD (motor drive) 35mm film camera – released in March 1995 for the home market. This one was purchased at Mitsukoshi department store in Tokyo in December 1996.

It’s since been sold to a very happy collector of all things Disney in Australia!

And here’s a throwback pic of a very early camera (1956) from Fuji Photo Film Company – the Fujipet.

The Fuji Pet 35 above was one of Fuji’s first 35mm cameras (1959).

Have a wonderful day and be safe! – Chris

Be sure to stop by my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

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.

Canon EOS-1N RS

December 11, 2020December 11, 2020Chris and Carol 2 Comments

A classic from Canon released in 1995.

One of the last 35mm SLR film cameras made by Canon. Their was another model, an update of this one released in 2000. What made the EOS-1N RS so special is its ability to accurately take up to 10 fps and still keep autofocus and auto exposure. It has a fixed, semi-transparent pellicle mirror.

Thanks for stopping by and have a fantastic Friday! – Chris

Be sure to stop by my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

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

Yashica cameras and so much more!

Tag Made in Japan

Modern Marvel – Canon’s little digital IXY

SUNday Spotlight – Olympus Classic

Nikon’s Gem of a Lens – f/1.4 50mm AI

Another Yashica Sailor Boy

Chasing Classic Cameras 2020

Canon Professional Services EOS-1N RS

Canon’s Technological Wonder EOS-1N RS

Saturday Spotlight – My favorite RF

Happy SUNday! – Fujifilm Mickey Mouse

Canon EOS-1N RS