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
We recently acquired this lens for our Yashica Pentamatic collection. Why is it important? It’s a great find because it’s the first time we’ve encountered a lens with a lower serial number than one pictured in an advertisement (in this case, the first-ever ad for the Pentamatic, June 1960). We know it is total nerd stuff, but that’s what makes collecting fun.
The lens was made for Yashica by Tomioka Optical, which at the time made about 90% of all their lenses (TLR, SLR, RF, and Cine).
The lens serial number decodes 59 = 1959, 10 = OCT, and 0092, the 92nd lens made since production started.
In the second image, the other lens was made in December and was the 1,630th made. Tomioka was busy producing these lenses long before Yashica released the Pentamatic in March 1960. The first Pentamatic bodies were made in January.
The third image shows an early Yashica Tominon Super Yashinon-R f/2.8 3.5cm wide-angle lens SN 350246. The date code was dropped in favor of a simpler code: 35 = 35 mm, and 0246 is the sequence number since the start of production.
The ad shows a lens with a higher production number than the lens we own. 92 indicates it was made in the first batch of 100 lenses.The October lens is on the left and the December lens is on the right. No November lenses were made.From an early batch of wide-angle lenses from Tomioka Optical. This one is number 246.A fast lens from Tomioka. The f/1.2 55mm lens which was made much later in the M42 screw mount.
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
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
Here is a new flash in its original box, Canon Speedlite 244T, that I received from a recent purchase on eBay. The seller has since refunded me, but this serves as a reminder to never leave batteries, especially AA batteries, in your cameras and other accessories. This “new” flash had these Philips batteries installed at some point, but the owner forgot about them. What a shame that an otherwise neat collectible is now ruined.
I’ve seen worse corrosion before, but this is right up there with the worst.AA batteries in a flash unit can corrode in as little as a few months! These, however, have been left for decades.
Thanks for stopping by, and after reading this, please check your cameras. – Chris
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 Pentax SL Set Super-Takumar f/1.8 55mm Lens Asahi Pentax Metal Hood Asahi Pentax Filter and Accessory Clip Asahi Pentax SL Operating Manual It’s been professionally serviced and looks and operates like new.
My beautiful set is from about 1969-1972. The instruction book is dated September 1969.
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 instruction book is hard to find, but I was lucky to find one from a collector in Canada. This one was published in September 1969.My gorgeous Asahi Pentax SL in the piano-black finish. Shown here with its Super-Takumar f/1.8 55mm lens.1960s low tech at its finest.All the bits.
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
This document was discovered on a recent Facebook camera group. I can’t recall who the original poster was, but it’s much appreciated. This is a document translation, as the original would have been in Japanese (obviously).
So far, this document is the only official evidence I’ve found about the <E.P> mark on cameras and other photo gear and its implementation.
According to the “Goods Tax Law,” the <E.P> Mark was created. This Canon in my collection is the earliest <E.P> mark I found on a Canon F-1.
This F-1 was made in August 1971 and is among the first 20,000 made.A closer view of the <E.P> Mark.
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
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 Yashica Mat-124 is an exceptional camera that does everything you’d expect from a well-designed, light-catching machine. The first units rolled off the assembly line in the summer of 1967, and the last just three years later in 1970. It was the last TLR Yashica made just before releasing its replacement, the Mat-124G. The 124G had lots of plastic parts and, for the first time, came in primarily all-black. The 124G had a long run that ended in 1986. Here is my Mat-124.
The built-in CdS light meter is activated by opening the viewing hood. The camera uses a 1.35v PX625 mercury replacement battery like the popular Wein Cell.It features dual Yashinon lenses. The taking lens (bottom) is 80mm f/3.5, while the viewing lens (upper) is 80mm f/2.8. The fast f/2.8 viewing lens makes for a bright image in the viewing hood, which makes it easier to compose and focus an image.The crank on the camera’s right side advances the film and cocks the shutter.The focus knob is on the left side, as is the battery compartment and cold shoe.On the bottom, a large knob is how you gain entry into the film chamber.The Mat-124 uses either 12-exposure 120 films or 24-exposure 220 films. The back of the taking lens can be seen on the far right in this image.Looking down at the match needle light meter.This gem of a camera is available for purchase in my Etsy camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com.
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 Canon Canonet 35mm rangefinder camera with a Canon 45mm f/1.9 lens. Based on its serial number, this one is likely from 1962 or 1963. It is the Version 3 with ASA to 400. The selenium cell meter has been working for all these years. The shutter sounds accurate on auto, but the aperture blades need service.
Canonet V3.The selenium cell meter surrounds the Canon 45mm f/1.9 lens.Simple lines on a simple camera.The film advance is on the baseplate.
The Canonet line was hyper-successful for Canon, selling millions throughout its production.
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
Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris 