Nicca Flash Unit from around 1953

August 2, 2019August 4, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

As you may have guessed by now if you casually follow this blog that I also have a passion for collecting bits of camera gear made by and for the Nicca Camera Company. Nicca was acquired by Yashica in 1958 and that acquisition led directly to Yashica developing (with lots of help from Nicca designers) its first 35mm single-lens reflex camera the Pentamatic 35 by early 1960. Yashica was a bit slow to the marketplace with an SLR as Canon, Asahi Pentax and Canon (among others) had already introduced SLRs by then.

Because of this relationship, Nicca has always held a prominent spot in my collection and the Nicca 3-S remains one of my favorite 35mm rangefinders to shoot with. Recently I’ve added this wonderful flash set to my collection.

From the instruction booklet, it describes this as “an automatic rechargeable flash gun specifically designed for Nicca cameras”.

Considering its age (1953) it’s in outstanding condition. Hey, it’s as old as me!

All set to go. The Nicca B.C.B. flash unit attached to my Nicca 3-S.

Viewed from above the pilot lamp is visible on the top center of the flash head. It lights up when the flash is ready to fire.

The red-tipped bulb ejector button. You don’t want to handle a hot bulb.

As part of the set, I received the original instruction booklet and a pamphlet for the flashbulbs which were made by West Electric Company of Tokyo and Osaka – later to become or at least partner with National-Matsushita.

A closer look at the “Exposure Guide Numbers” card pictured in the previous image above.

The reflector is about 5.5 inches across. The bulb looks tiny compared to the reflector but believe me, it puts out some light!

Advertisement from late 1951 0r 1952. The flash looks like it used a slightly different connector cord than the one in my set. Hinomaruya ( ひのまるや ) was the Domestic General Agent for Nicca in Japan.

Details from the instruction booklet. Shown in this image is a capacitor and 22.5-volt battery to power the flash but it could also be powered by two “D” cell batteries or three “AA” penlight batteries with an adapter.

Size comparison between the flash handle and two D-cell batteries. As can be seen, the optional add on handle extension would need to be used.

Front view without the reflector. My guess is that the “BC” means battery-capacitor and the “B” is for battery (I don’t know for sure about the last “B” at this point).

Camera side view with the shutter cord connector and “L” bracket connector visible. The red-tipped bulb ejector button is also visible.

Parts detail minus the reflector and the capacitor/battery.

Nicca only made 35mm rangefinder cameras (maybe a lens or two but unproven) during its existence so the flash unit was made by another company. It’s likely that the West Electric Company, Limited, of Osaka and Tokyo was the manufacturer although no part of the flash is marked with the name “West”. Only the included pamphlet mentioned West. As stated earlier in this post, it’s likely that West merged or partnered with National-Matsushita Electric to build additional models of flash units during the second half of the 1950s.

Thanks for stopping by! If you know what “B.C.B.” means please share it with me. – 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.

When batteries attack and other shop notes – 7.27.19

July 27, 2019July 27, 2019Chris and Carol 1 Comment

I purchased a large collection of vintage photogear this week and of course, they’ll always be some victims of battery leakage mixed in. We’ve all been victimized by this process – we leave a battery (mostly alkaline) in a seldom-used camera, remote or toy only to discover that it doesn’t work when we go to use it. Even fresh batteries installed in a device can leak and corrode the battery compartment in as little as weeks! That’s right, I said weeks.

Caution!

This battery compartment was so bad that I had to dig out the AA batteries with a screwdriver!

The corrosive acid from the battery destroyed the battery compartment cover and latch.

The same camera with the corrosion removed and the compartment door repaired. The camera is fully operational again. It’s still a bit ugly but at least it works.

Electronic flash units are notorious for finding battery corrosion. I believe that the slight continuous drain on the battery (called parasitic drain) expedites battery failure – sometimes in as little as three weeks!

Same flash unit – clean and fresh and fully operational!

The best and safest way to clean these corroded contacts is with a cotton swab (Q-tip) dipped in straight white distilled vinegar. Go slowly, don’t touch the corroded batteries and gently dab the vinegar on the corrosion (you’ll see it bubble). Use plenty of swabs and reapply the vinegar being extremely careful not to oversoak the part. Too much fluid may migrate deeper inside your camera or flash causing additional and often fatal damage. I finish with a swab dipped in Windex and gently clean the metal and plastic surfaces until shiny. I’d say I’m successful about half of the time – it’s harder to save flash units as the corrosive gases often migrate internally to critical circuits destroying them beyond repair.

On cameras where the battery compartment is away from critical circuits will have a better chance of being rescued. Give it a try if you discover that this corrosive mess is trying to destroy your fun (and device). It just may work. Please note, the chemicals that you are using and exposing yourself to are DANGEROUS and you should exercise extreme caution whenever attempting to salvage a corroded part. Wash your hands afterward and keep your fingers away from your mouth and eyes! There, the legal part is done!

While repairing a Pentax ME Super’s baulky mirror (staying in the up position) I noticed these numbers beneath the camera’s base plate. They look like a date to me, possibly a manufacture date. The 55 looks to be the year using the Japanese Showa date. To convert this into a Western date simply add 25 (1980). Of course, the next two numbers should be the month and day (August 30). This fits within the manufacturing dates of the camera which are reported to be 1979-1984. Do you have a Pentax? If you’re interested to see your date code simply remove the 3 tiny screws (be careful, they are small and often grow legs after removing them) taking note as to which screw was removed from which hole.

With the bottom plate removed on this Pentax ME Super, you’ll see a date code (maybe) similar to this one. The first two numbers are the Showa date. Add 25 to that date to arrive at the Western year (55 + 25 = 80) 1980.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend! – 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.

Zunow SLR – 1958

July 24, 2019July 24, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Another look at this hyper-rare SLR.

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

One of the rarest early Japanese 35mm SLR cameras ever made. The Zunow SLR (below).

zunow beauty Zunow SLR 1958.

This gorgeous Zunow sold for a cool ¥ 1,880,000 (about $16,700 USD)!

The Yashica Pentamatic (below) just sold for $16,598 less!

DSCF6236 Yashica Pentamatic 35mm SLR. Yashica’s first ever. A cousin to the Zunow? We think so.

We believe designers and engineers from Zunow and Nicca played a big part in bringing the Pentamatic to market by early 1960.

Thanks for your visit! To find out more about Yashica and the Zunow connection stay a bit and check out our blog here on the ‘Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic’!

Chris and Carol ^.^

Please respect that all content, including photos and text are property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris.

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Canon F-1 35mm SLR

July 19, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Canon F-1 35mm single-lens reflex camera from 1975.

This beautiful Canon is part of my extensive Canon camera collection. Having said that, it’s time to pare down some of my collection. Besides being super clean, this camera has been fully tested and is working perfectly. I’ve installed new film door light seals and a new mirror bumper pad. It has a fresh battery and it will come with its original Canon nylon neck/shoulder strap, the original Canon body cap, and two Canon books. The instruction book is a high-quality copy dated 03/1975 and the F-1 sales brochure is dated 03/1978 and it’s an original.

The camera. If you’ve never had the opportunity to shoot with an F-1 then you’d be very happy with this camera. The F-1 is a professional grade camera designed to last a lifetime. It’s a pleasure to use and of course, it accepts all of Canon’s FD and FL lenses and a ton of accessories.

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It’s available at http://www.ccstudio2380.com and here in this post (see below).

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The original Canon F-1 is a fully manual camera – you control the focus, you set the lens aperture and shutter speed, and you determine the proper exposure using the thru-the-lens (TTL) built-in light meter. It’s film photography at its purest.

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This camera is available through my Etsy camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com of you can purchase it directly from this post.

Canon F-1 35mm SLR Film Camera

As described in the accompanying post. Fully serviced, tested and ready to roll. I'll mail it pretty much worldwide but please ask for a shipping quote for outside the US. Thanks, Chris

$194.75

Leotax Merite Camera Case – 1959

July 15, 2019July 15, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Here’s a beautiful leather camera case for the Leotax Merite and Elite. The quality of its construction is evident even after 60 years of use (gentle use). The Merite was a 35mm rangefinder camera built by the Leotax Camera Company in the Leica style.

A beautiful leather camera case from around early 1959.

Excellent materials and attention to detail.

Quality stitching throughout.

The bottom half of the case was attached by a patented hinge assembly that quickly detached from the top half.

Advertising flyer for the Leotax Merite. The camera and lens sold for 42,500 JPY which was about $118 in 1959. The case went for an additional 1,800 JPY which was $5

Thanks for stopping by! – 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.

Nicca 3-F Camera Case – first of its kind?

July 5, 2019July 5, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I know, this is not an overly exciting post – rather obscure actually.

Nicca 3-F ‘Snap Shot Case’.

The Nicca 3-F was one of many well-built 35mm rangefinder cameras produced by Nicca Camera Company in the late 1950s. Nicca would be acquired by Yashica in early 1958 and some of the technology that Nicca possessed went to Yashica in the deal. The acquisition directly led to the development of Yashica’s first 35mm SLR, the Pentamatic in late 1959. I digress.

My good friend Paul Sokk (www.yashicatlr.com) recently shared this scan of an instruction booklet he acquired for his Nicca. What struck me as I translated (actually an app on my phone translated it) is how this camera case was constructed.

Here’s the translation: “The snap shot case uses a brown box skin and comes with a shoulder strap as an accessory. It is glued, and the case of the stringer does not use any adhesive. Moreover, it has sufficient strength against external force (especially the projection of the lens part). Recently, there are those who use the camera out of the case and naked, but since it is likely that the camera is often hurt, it is recommended to put it in the case and use it as much as possible”.

I hadn’t noticed Nicca cases before this one that did not use stitching. Why is that important? On most vintage (40-year-old or more) cases the stitching has long since failed and the case falls apart. It will be interesting to see if these glued cases stood the test of time and in better condition than their stitched cousins.

A close-up view of a glued case.

Typical stitched case.

Thanks for stopping by! – 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.

Happy SUNday! – Unopened Treasure

June 30, 2019June 30, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

It’s always a blast to find a camera set that’s still new in its original box. Of course, it also creates a bit of a dilemma – should I use what is still a new camera and “ruin” its newness or should I be happy with keeping it unused and therefore in mint condition?

This, on the other hand, presents a whole different ballgame. Should I remove the outer plastic wrap and play with my new find or leave it as is – still wrapped from the factory and obviously untouched (and unused by me)?

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The Fujifilm Zoom Date 135V with its Fujinon 38-135mm zoom lens was first released in the US in April 2004. In Japan, it’s known as the Silvi F135 and was listed at ¥ 29,400. It’s part of the well respected Silvi series of sophisticated compact 35mm film cameras that Fuji Photo was making as late as the mid-2000s.

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This set was available at Ritz Camera as late as July 2005 and would have been competing against digital cameras and affordable megapixels.

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Here’s what the camera looks like outside of the box. Tempting!

A modern classic from Fujifilm.

If you would like to be the next owner of this still new camera, it’s available in my Etsy shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day! – 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.

Contax Heaven – ‘Yashica, A New Horizon’

June 29, 2019June 29, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

The title refers to a not widely circulated Yashica marketing brochure that was sent to virtually all US camera dealers in early 1975. In it, Yashica informed dealers that they would directly distribute their products (including the Contax line) to them and that they had a direct representative in Yashica USA. Definitely a bold move by Yashica during a desperate time in their history (and struggle to stay solvent).

Here’s some eye candy from that brochure –

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How about finding this under the Christmas tree then or now?

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Really the first introduction of the partnership between Yashica and Contax.

The marketing brochure (cover) from 1975.

The original letter (not a copy) that was sent to each camera dealer in the US. Each was signed by the President (or more likely an underling).

I personally haven’t collected anything with the Contax branding but that hasn’t meant that I wouldn’t want to – just no more room for another branch in the collection.

Thanks for stopping by! – 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.

In the Shop – A Beautiful Canon 35mm A-1 Camera and Lens Set

June 27, 2019June 27, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

New in the shop today at http://www.ccstudio2380.com I have a beautiful Canon A-1 with its original Canon FD 50mm f1.8 lens from 1982. As with everything I feature in my shop, this classic Canon has been cleaned, inspected and tested and it’s ready to go.

This Canon A-1 set comes complete as pictured. I’ve installed a new battery and checked all of the functions of the camera and lens.

The A-1 was is still is one of the best auto exposure cameras that Canon made during this period. I addition to its automated features it also shoots in full manual mode. It’s perfect for the experienced pro as well as for the beginner.

Additional pictures of the camera and a complete description can be found at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

In the shop, I also have a wonderful Canon A-1 sales brochure filled with additional info about the cameras advanced features and functions.

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If you’re looking to complete the look I also have a couple of vintage and super cool Hippie camera straps that would look awesome with this camera or any camera in your collection.

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I’ll mail pretty much worldwide. The shop is hosted by Etsy so I accept all types of payments. http://www.ccstudio2380.com

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Have a great day and thanks for stopping by! – 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.

Tanaka Optical Company, Ltd. – the 1950s

June 25, 2019June 25, 2019Chris and Carol 1 Comment

The Tanaka Optical Co., Ltd. was a camera and lens manufacturer with a factory in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan during the 1950s. Not many would have seen their cameras (35mm Leica type rangefinders) and fewer still their lenses for L39 Leica screw mount cameras. Their first camera was the Tanack 35 which was developed in 1952 and released in 1953. The company was gone by 1959.

There’s conflicting information on the web about whether Tanaka made just a few cameras and no lenses. This I believe is definitive proof that they did make cameras and lenses.

Complete lens box from about 1955.

The side panel says it all – “Manufactured in Kawasaki Japan by Tanaka Optical Co., Ltd. Manufacturers of Tanack Cameras, Tanar Lenses & Accessories”.

There’s still a lot to learn about the early years of this small camera manufacturer. At this time, I haven’t been able to find evidence that they made lenses for other camera makers. My guess is that they did but no proof yet.

Do you have more information about Tanaka, Tanar lenses and Tanack cameras? Please feel free to share what you know with me and I’ll gladly share that with my readers.

Thanks – 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.

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

Yashica cameras and so much more!

Tag Made in Japan

Nicca Flash Unit from around 1953

When batteries attack and other shop notes – 7.27.19

Zunow SLR – 1958

The Yashica Pentamatic (below) just sold for $16,598 less!

Canon F-1 35mm SLR

Canon F-1 35mm single-lens reflex camera from 1975.

Leotax Merite Camera Case – 1959

Nicca 3-F Camera Case – first of its kind?

Happy SUNday! – Unopened Treasure

It’s always a blast to find a camera set that’s still new in its original box. Of course, it also creates a bit of a dilemma – should I use what is still a new camera and “ruin” its newness or should I be happy with keeping it unused and therefore in mint condition?

Contax Heaven – ‘Yashica, A New Horizon’

In the Shop – A Beautiful Canon 35mm A-1 Camera and Lens Set

New in the shop today at http://www.ccstudio2380.com I have a beautiful Canon A-1 with its original Canon FD 50mm f1.8 lens from 1982. As with everything I feature in my shop, this classic Canon has been cleaned, inspected and tested and it’s ready to go.

Tanaka Optical Company, Ltd. – the 1950s