Tag Made in Japan

Yashica-A: Collecting 101*

Chris and Carol 4 Comments

*Or how to run out of space for it all real quick!

As much as Carol and I would love to go on collecting camera sets, the cameras will eventually win out! Even when we narrow our collecting to let’s say only twin-lens reflex cameras made in the mid 1950s, and only made by Yashima-Yashica, we’d still run out of space and money. There were just too many made (obviously) to be able to collect all the different models and all the different variations. Yashima-Yashica was, by far, the most prolific TLR maker – ever! I believe they finally stopped by 1986 which was long after TLRs fell from favor!

So we’ve reached the point they sing about in that Disney movie – “Let it Go”! 

Collecting Yashima-Yashica cameras is a very satisfying endeavor. We’ve been at it for decades, we know. There’s enough of them around so the choices are plenty – but since Yashicas were built well but built for the masses, they weren’t collected when they were new. Most that are available are well used. They’re still very functional, but well used nonetheless. So if you’re trying to collect complete sets just as they came from the factory, and you want them to work and be in mint (or near mint) condition, good luck! It’s not like collecting Leicas, Nikons, Canons or Rolleis where when you google “nikon mint box” you end up with hundreds to pick from from all across the web. Google “mint yashica box” and you’ll see maybe a dozen of Yashica’s last TLR – the Mat 124G. A great camera but it’s common. The early stuff from Yashima-Yashica, well that’s a whole different ballgame, and that ballgame is fun!

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This one is from 1957,  made by Yashima Optical – the Yashica-A

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Solidly built and well maintained.

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All the factory goodies.

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“Fall out of bed” easy to operate – shoot 6x6cm negatives or color slide film soon after loading it. Great optics, accurate shutter and bright viewing screen.

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Yashimar f/ 3.5, 80mm lenses made by Tomioka Optical.

The Yashica-A is a great medium format camera. Simple to use and produces super sharp, large images that you’ll be amazed came from your hands. Why is the A the best? This one is 6 decades old and works perfectly. Why? Virtually nothing on it to break or jam. Simple winding knob, no self-timer and black yarn light seals that never fail. No built-in light meter (use a phone app) or use a vintage hand held meter or guess at the exposure or learn the “Sunny-16” rule. You almost have to try to make a bad image with a camera like this. Worried about the reversed image in the viewing hood? You’ll get over it quickly and you’ll soon love composing and shooting in the square format (6 x 6).

This model A (remember, “Let it Go”) is available for purchase. If you have an interest, contact us at chriscarol@ccstudio2380.com or visit us at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

If there’s something that you’re looking for maybe we have it or can find one for you. You never know!

Thanks for stopping by!

Studio Camera: Fujifilm FinePix S9900W

Chris

 

 

Pentamatic vs. Pentamatic S – Yashica’s Heavyweights

Chris and Carol 6 Comments

The Pentamatic was Yashica’s first single-lens reflex (SLR) and was released in 1960 (May-June) timeframe. The Pentamatic S was released about mid to late 1961. Not much changed between the two – the S model added a built-in self-timer and most notably, a provision for mounting an exposure meter to the top right of the camera that coupled with the shutter speed dial. Other small changes were to add lugs for holding the neck strap (moving them from the extreme right and left sides of the body on the Pentamatic to a more typical front mounting on the S). Unseen from the exterior is a change to the focusing screen inside the pentaprism. The original fresnel screen in the Pentamatic was replaced with a split image screen in the model S. For me, that change makes the Pentamatic S much easier to focus and improves the brightness inside the viewfinder.

A look at both models shows these changes and the tiny bit of extra weight that the S carries over the original Pentamatic.

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At 978 grams, the original Pentamatic is anything but a lightweight. (2.16 lbs)

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At 1,004 grams, the S shows the slight weight increase from the changes made between the two models. (2.21 lbs)

Both cameras are photographed with the same lens attached – Auto Yashinon 5.5cm f1.8 lens which was the standard lens that came with both models. Only the Pentamatic II (released in September 1960) came with a different lens. (5.8cm f1.7)

Compared to other SLRs from the same time period, the Pentamatic was a bit of a beast to tote around. The buying public never embraced these wonderful cameras and they ended their production run in less than 2 years.

Finding good looking (and still working) Pentamatics is a challenge for any collector with the Pentamatic II being especially difficult to find in any condition.

Of note, if you have an Asahi Pentax, Nikon F or Canoflex camera with the standard lenses from the late 1950s or early 1960s, we would love for you to let us know what their combined weight is. We could be way off in our assumption that the Pentamatic was significantly heavier than the other cameras of that era. Thanks!

Studio Camera: Fujifilm FinePix S9900W

Chris

Yashica’s YT-300 Transistor Radio – 1960

Chris and Carol 3 Comments

Yashica produced more than just cameras during its boom years. As a leader in the field of electronic photography in the middle to late 1960s, Yashica’s early electronic devices ranged from such diverse items as transistor radios, record players, movie projectors, calculators, editing equipment and tape recorders to name but a few.

Most of the earliest electronic devices are rather rare now (as one would expect after 50 years) and only occasionally does something come up in auctions both on the web and in estate sales. I suspect that the more common electrical items such as projectors and editing equipment are still flooding eBay and other on-line auction sites.

Finding early radios such as the YT-300 and YT-100 is quite difficult. Here we share some of what we’ve been able to collect over the years.

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Yashica YT-300 Radio Brochure

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Thanks for your visit! If you come across a working Yashica radio or tape recorder snag it! They’re really rare and a fun little reminder of the first transistor radios and how cool they were.

Studio Camera: Samsung Galaxy S4

Chris

Fun with Fuji’s K-28 “Construction Camera”

Chris and Carol 23 Comments

Here’s a camera you don’t see often – maybe never – Fuji Photo Film Japan’s Fuji K-28. A waterproof and dust/dirtproof 35mm compact camera. Designed for rugged use like on a jobsite or in the rain. All of the controls are sealed against the elements via tight fitting rubber gaskets and secure latching systems.

The camera gets its power from 2 AA LR6 alkaline manganese batteries. Here’s an interesting note from Fujifilm Japan: 

Apologies and Requests
Fujifilm “Construction Camera” For Customers

By the way, when the capacity of the batteries is not complete (for example, when new alkaline batteries are used with used alkaline batteries) in part of “construction camera” we sell at this time. It is extremely rare that hydrogen gas is sometimes released from the battery, the gas mixes with the air inside the camera, and it turned out that there was a possibility that the back cover of the camera could come off with a sound when using the strobe . December 8, 2000 – We would like to thank our customers for their continued patronage and appreciate their continued patronage.

Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd

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Besides being a way cool looking camera, this Fuji is more than capable where it counts. A sealed Fujinon f3.9 28mm lens with adjustable focusing and auto exposure with a set 1/100th of a second shutter. ISO auto set for film rated from ISO 100-400.

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The Fujinon lens has 5 elements in 5 groups – closest focusing is 0.75m and the front glass is 4mm thick. The camera weighs in at 423g  and 467g with batteries.

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The focus scale is only in meters. The flash must be turned on via the well marked lever (center), film advance is manual by the lever on the camera’s right side and the shutter can be locked to prevent accidental exposures. The film rewind lever (left) gets tucked away to prevent damage and to help seal the top of the camera.

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Looks great in B&W!

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Nice lines.

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When the K-28 was released in June of 1991, the yen to dollar exchange rate was 138 JPY to the USD. So it listed for around $215 but was not for sale outside of Japan.

The K-28 certainly will hold a spot in our Fuji collection as it is basically brand new and in mint condition. The box, although a silly thing, is important to our collection as we like to collect camera sets as complete as possible. Besides, who wouldn’t want a bulldozer on their camera box!

If you find something incorrect in our post, please feel free to let us know what it is and we’ll gladly correct it.

Thanks for stopping by!

Studio Camera: Fujifilm FinePix S9900W

Chris

 

Fuji DL-150 35mm Compact Camera – 1986

Chris and Carol 3 Comments

Released in November 1986, the Fuji DL-150 entered into a hyper crowded marketplace filled with everything from cutting edge 35mm SLRs with capable autofocus and autoexposure modes to some of the most basic point and shoot cameras ever made.

We think this Fuji probably existed somewhere in the middle of the pack of simple AF compact cameras. We don’t have a handle on the price point of the DL-150 – the excellent build quality would suggest a steep list price.

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Since Fuji makes film, this set came supplied with a free roll of Fujicolor. It was a great way for Fuji to kick the yellow box and introduce their new customers to the quality of Fuji film.

Focusing on the DL-150 is automatic (infrared, active type) with autofocus memory. The shutter is a programmed electronic type with speeds of 1/30 to 1/500. ISO (DX Coding)is from 100-1600.

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We like the styling of the DL-150… typical 1980s design but in our eyes it still looks fresh. It feels like Fuji used a higher quality plastic and the fit and finish is excellent. This model appears to have been built in Japan.

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Fujinon f3.5 35mm lens – 3 components with 3 elements. Closest focus is 0.85 m

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First time we’ve seen a JCII inspection sticker on one of our simple Fujis.

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Drop dead simple top plate!

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The shutter release button is sweet – a soft touch oval that feels great under your fingertip.

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A real owner’s manual vice folded pamphlet.

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Colorful retail box. The Fuji DL-7 has a similar design.

Billed as the “world’s simplest loading system”! Features autofocus, auto flash firing, motorized film advance and end of roll rewind and DX auto film setting. No way to turn on the flash and the flash fires to “assist” you in dim lighting indoors.

Takes 2 AA batteries and weighs in at only 255 grams (without film, batteries or strap).

We haven’t field tested it yet but it’s on that ever growing list!

Thanks for your visit – if you find a nice clean DL-150 for a good price we recommend giving it a try.

Studio Camera: Fujifilm FinePix S9900W

Chris

Fujifilm Smart Shot Deluxe – 1994

Chris and Carol 4 Comments

The Fujifilm Smart Shot Deluxe is one of the most basic modern cameras we have in our collection. It’s interesting to note that Fuji returned to using Fujifilm in its name with this camera vice using simply Fuji.

It was released in September 1994. It’s super small (compact) and lightweight (175g) but still featured drop-in loading and motor drive. It came packaged with Fujicolor Super G Plus 400 film and the box was designed with a hang tag for sale next to their films. The shutter is fixed at 1/100th of a second and the aperture is fixed at f8. Fixed focus is from 1.3 meters to infinity.

*** Please note: If you know what the U.S. (or MSRP in Japan) selling price was in 1994 that would be great! We have ¥12,000 which seems a tad high. Thanks ^.^

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One of the advertising tag lines for the Fujifilm Smart Shot series was – “a smart shot, a good price, a firm picture, a camera that looks good if you go for fun”! That may not be the best translation in the world but I think you get the idea.

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Fujinon f8 33mm plastic lens.

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Built-in motor drive and motorized film rewind. Sliding lens cover and crazy big flash button.

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Film view window and a cool Fujifilm logo on the back.

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Still made in Japan at this point in time which is surprising as most of the simple Fuji cameras were made elsewhere.

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Back in 1994 when this camera set was released, it came with a fresh roll of Fujicolor 400 film and 2 AA batteries. The film is a touch out of date.

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The owner’s manual is more of a fold out pamphlet and shares info with the Clear Shot Plus. The oversized button on the front left of the lens is the flash button. You press it and hold it until the flash ready comes on then you push the shutter release button on the top right. It’s odd that the flash “on” button is so big – designed to make it look maybe more sophisticated or cute.

I’m sure Fuji sold a bunch as they were nearly a disposable camera with a free roll of film and came with rebates for additional savings on film purchases.

I would say it’s a bit better than average for a mid 1990s camera and free film never hurts sales!

Thanks for your visit!

Studio Camera: Fujifilm FinePix S9900W

Chris