Tag Made in Japan

Fujicarex II by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.

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Unique – Odd – Quirky – Ugly – Gorgeous – Cool – Modern – Sexy – Sophisticated – Clunky – a failure?

Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. – Tokyo 

Fuji’s first 35mm SLR

Originally released as the Fujicarex in 1962 and sold only in Japan (it listed for ¥25,000). An updated model was released in the United States in July 1964 (in Chicago) as the Fujicarex SLR 35 and for other overseas markets as the Fujicarex II. It listed for around $150 USD without a case. It came with a Fujinon-S f/1.9 5cm lens with an additional f/4 35mm wide angle lens and a f/2.8 80mm portrait lens available.

Billed (advertised) as the “World’s easiest-to-use SLR 35mm camera” – Electric Eye with Cluster Control!

What do you think of its design?

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According to a very reliable Japanese source, the Fujicarex II was available in Japan as a replacement to the original model and that the model II was destined for other overseas markets beyond the U.S. (like Europe). This would lead one to believe that the Fujicarex SLR 35 was only available in America. I haven’t been able to verify that as I’ve never seen the “plain” Fujicarex logo.

So was it a failure? Well, it got Fuji Photo moving in the right direction but I think overall it was just overdesigned and a bit hard to use. A bit like the Yashica Pentamatics – neat cameras that didn’t catch on. From what I understand it was only sold for about three years or so. The next 35mm SLR from Fuji didn’t appear until 1971.

No matter what, this unique camera is seldom seen in today’s collector marketplaces. It would make a wonderful addition to any vintage Japanese SLR collection since it was Fuji’s first SLR. Thanks for stopping by!

Chris

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I’m thinking that this is the original Fujicarex logo (close to the cold shoe).

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This should be the U.S. Fujicarex SLR 35 as there isn’t the “II” under the “Fujicarex”.

 

 

Yashica L AF vs. Kyocera T Scope

Chris and Carol 1 Comment

Round 1 – The Introduction

The Yashica-Kyocera L AF from 1986 and the Kyocera T Scope (Japanese name, T3 elsewhere). The L AF was assembled in Hong Kong with parts made in Japan and the T Scope was made in Japan.

Key feature – waterproof (more like weatherproof) – not a dive camera.

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N.A. Scope = “New Angle Scope”

The scope is just like a waist-level finder – pretty cool actually.

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I’ll be doing a side by side field test of these two cameras shortly. Is the T3 really worth the extra money over the Yashica? The T Scope features a Carl Zeiss T* Series Tessar f/2.8 35mm lens against the Yashica (Tomioka?) f/3.5 32mm lens. I have a hunch that the Yashica’s lens was also made by Zeiss at the Tomioka factory in Tokyo. We’ll see if the vaunted T* coating makes a noticeable difference.

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Not often seen outside of Japan – the Kyocera T Scope box. Not one mention of Yashica!

Thanks for stopping by!

Chris

Canon F-1 vs. Nikon F

Chris and Carol 8 Comments

Two 1970s heavyweights battle it out (well sort of).

canon f1 vs nikon f

The Canon is from 1978 and the Nikon is from 1972. To me, the clear winner is the F-1. It’s a more robust camera body and the Canon FD lenses are as good as if not better than the Nikkors. Besides, you have to remove the entire baseplate and back (they are one unit) to be able to load film – not the easiest of things to do while bouncing around in a small boat or a safari vehicle. Just sayin’.

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Which camp are you? Canon or Nikon? Or Olympus or Minolta?

Thanks for stopping by!

Chris

 

 

An Elusive Camera – the Royal 35-M

Chris and Carol 1 Comment

When you don’t have one it’s considered to be hard to find. After you acquire yours it becomes rare.

When it comes to any camera made by the Royal Camera Company of Tokyo they collectively can be considered rare. They did, however, make cameras that were branded by other companies with either the exact same specs (as the Royal 35-M) or with exclusive features only found on that model.

Here’s our “rare” Royal 35-M from around 1958.

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It’s a handsome camera and it has the feel of a very well constructed machine. The fit and finish are excellent. This model comes with a fixed 45mm lens made by Tomioka Optical and carries the Tominor name. It’s a fast lens at f1.9.

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It would appear that by serial number this camera is from about the middle of the production run. Royal looks like it used a simple sequential numbering system with no “hidden” date codes.

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The light meter “exposed” – normally the flap would be closed but it can still be used with the flap down under bright conditions. The meter in this camera is no longer operating which is typical of a 60-year-old camera.

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A pair of Tomioka lens equipped old birds from the 1950s

Advertisement for the Royal 35-M in Modern Photography magazine from February 1960. The f1.9 lens is claimed to have a seven element lens whereas the f2.8 is a five element lens. There isn’t a ton of info out there on these cameras so these little bits of data here and there are helpful.

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Modern Photography ad from February 1960

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to visit our “gift shop” at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Chris

Nikon’s Little Gem – the EM

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It doesn’t get any simpler than this – Nikon’s little gem, the Nikon EM. This one is mated with a sweet Series E 28mm f2.8 wide angle lens. If you like compact easy to use 35mm SLRs then you’ll love this guy!

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This lovely set is available directly from our online store at http://www.ccstudio2380.com for a very reasonable price. It’s a one owner camera that’s been gently used over the years. I’ve inspected it, tested it (fresh batteries included), and lightly cleaned it. Oh, and the old sticky foam light seals have been removed. You get to install new ones – easy to do and readily available.

***SOLD! One hour after listing it! Thank you!

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Per the Nikon EM owner’s booklet, here’s a list of the Nikon and Nikkor lenses that will work with the EM. Chances are you already own one or more of these lenses. I’ve included the Series E 28mm f2.8 with this camera (notice that it’s not on the list) as it came out shortly after the EM was released.

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Of course, opinions are all over the map concerning this camera from not worth it to love it. Die-hard Nikonites hated it when it came out (1979-1982) but some people loved it because they finally had an affordable platform for their Nikkor lenses. The EM is an aperture priority camera – you pick the f-stop and the camera picks the shutter speed. I know, some people hate that but if you use 400 films in daylight seldom will you run into problems.

Streetfighter! Do you like street photography? Throw in some Neopan Acros, set the wide angle lens on infinity and select f8 or f11 and snap away! It’s small, lightweight, black, and quiet – perfect for the streets!

Well, there you have it – a neat little Nikon that won’t break the bank. You’ll get everything pictured so there’s lots of little bonus goodies included. Pop on over to http://www.ccstudio2380.com and give it a spin. You may see something else to your liking.

Thank you!

Chris

Nikon F from 1971

Chris and Carol 1 Comment

We are pleased to offer this wonderful Nikon F for purchase. It’s a one owner camera (bought new in Chicago). It has never been offered for sale before. The serial number is SN 7293919 which establishes a production date between October 1971 and February 1972.

The camera is in mint condition – just a bit off from a mint new condition. It has been very gently used with probably no more than 20 rolls of film ever run through it (that’s likely way high). If you’ve ever wanted to own the legendary Nikon F, then here’s your chance. Everything works as it should and quite simply put this camera is stunningly beautiful!

Nikon F 35mm SLR Film Camera

Simply one of the best SLRs – ever. It’s in mint condition with only the slightest traces of past use. It comes from a one owner home that has a smoke and pet free environment. This camera is ready to roll – just add your favorite film, attach your favorite lens and go create! The Nikon F is a fully mechanical camera – no battery needed so there’s no built-in TTL exposure metering – pure old school shooting. Contact me for a shipping quote to your location. It must be shipped via accountable means with door to door tracking with signature and insurance. With that said I’m sure we can work out a very affordable shipping option for you. Don’t let this opportunity to own this wonderful camera slip through your hands. Additional pictures are available at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (it can be purchased in our Etsy shop if you would like). Thanks, Chris

$375.00

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Thanks for stopping by!

Chris

Yashica’s Ultra Rare “Yasinon” Lenses

Chris and Carol 3 Comments

Are these previously unknown lenses made by Zunow Optical?

My good friend Paul Sokk (www.yashicatlr.com) spotted a rather unique lens name in a Yashica catalog that I sent him. The catalog is from 1958.

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Look closely at the two boxes in the lower center part of the scan. Plainly marked is the name “Yasinon” and Yashica. Just to the right are two boxes made in the same style that displays the lens maker “Zunow”.

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From the same year Yashica catalog here’s a grouping of three 8mm movie camera lenses – two marked made by Zunow and one marked with the name “Yasinon”.

What’s the most interesting about this discovery is that the name Yasinon was unknown to us prior to seeing these catalogs.

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Yashica’s first 35mm camera – the Yashica 35. If you look closely at the camera lenses you’ll see that they’re marked with the Yasinon name.

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Yashica incorrectly labels the lenses as Yashinon in the banners even though the lenses in the pictures say Yasinon.

Shortly after the marketing people put these catalogs together someone made the decision to change from Yasinon to Yashinon. It appears that some of these lenses have made it into the marketplace as Paul has shared some findings of such from Japanese auction sites. Of course, Yashica stayed with the Yashinon name from this point onward. Does this make the lenses marked Yasinon rare? In my view it does. Does it mean these lenses were made for Yashica by Zunow? Yes, in my mind it does. Do I have solid proof? No, but the circumstantial evidence points strongly towards Zunow as being the manufacturer.

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Further proof as to how close Yashica’s relationship with Zunow was.

The box above in my mind is super unique – it places Zunow’s logo with Yashica’s logo on the same box – not something that was seen during the late 1950s in Japan.

Comments? Do you have a rare Zunow hiding in your closet? If you do let me know – I am actively looking to add some to my collection.

Thanks

Chris

Yashica Super 60E Movie Camera

Chris and Carol 1 Comment

Yashica Super 60E Super 8 Movie Camera

Yashica super 8 movie camera – fully working. Power zoom Yashinon-DX 48mm f1.8 lens is one of Yashica’s best lenses for a movie camera. This offering includes the original instruction booklet, Yashica branded lens cap and Yashica guide ‘How to take better pictures with your Yashica’ c1969. The camera is clean and in excellent condition. It features TTL exposure, 6-1 electric zoom, uses super 8 film – it originally sold for $225.00

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Time to move this very nice Yashica movie camera to another collector. It’s been a while since I shot film with it but its been very well taken care of and short of testing it with film it’s fully operational. It has a fast Yashinon-DX f1.8 lens that looks almost spotless – certainly no issues that I can see with the camera.

I’ll mail it worldwide – contact me for a shipping quote.

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Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to check out our online store at http://www.ccstudio2380.com for other great deals.

Chris