Fuji DL-150 35mm Compact Camera – 1986

May 21, 2017May 22, 2017Chris 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.

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.

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

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

Drop dead simple top plate!

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

A real owner’s manual vice folded pamphlet.

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

Part of our “We don’t collect Fuji cameras” collection –

May 19, 2017May 19, 2017Chris and Carol Leave a comment

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Plastic Fantastic from the Fuji Photo Film Company.

Smart Shot Deluxe Sep 1994

DL-7 Apr 1987

Discovery 90 Date Jun 1994

Studio Camera: Fujifilm FinePix S9900W

Chris

Fujifilm Smart Shot Deluxe – 1994

May 19, 2017November 25, 2017Chris 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.

Fujinon f8 33mm plastic lens.

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

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

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

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

Pentamatic with 13.5cm Super Yashinon-R f/3.5 lens – 1960

May 1, 2017May 1, 2017Chris and Carol Leave a comment

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This Yashica Pentamatic ’35’ is mated with an early (SN 927) Super Yashinon-R 135mm f/3.5 lens – made for Yashica by Tomioka Optical.

The Pentamatic with its sharp lines and prominent pentaprism, looks modern and vintage at the same time. It’s like holding a piece of chiseled steel in your hands and just as heavy!

Chris

Vintage Walz Self Timer – 1950s

April 9, 2017April 9, 2017Chris and Carol 1 Comment

How selfies were made in 1955.

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Screws into the shutter release button. The red indicator lever is moved to the up position.

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From behind.

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When the red indicator lever is down the red flag pops out – the selfie has been taken or the movie camera is rolling.

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Neat little gadget from long ago.

Thanks for your visit!

Chris

Pentamatic – Exposed

February 25, 2017February 25, 2017Chris and Carol 2 Comments

A little fun in the studio while this Yashica Pentamatic S gets a rebuild.

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1960s tech ready for a restoration… lots of work ahead for this one.

Camera: Fujifilm FinePix S9900W

Chris

Yashica Super Yashinon-R f/3.5 13.5cm Telephoto Lens

November 9, 2016February 5, 2020Chris and Carol 25 Comments

Nice little addition to our Pentamatic family of lenses. Purchased in Japan and was with an early model Pentamatic’35’ set in “well used” but stable working condition. It came with the original Yashica brown leather case, unbranded plastic rear lens cap, Yashica front metal 52mm push-on lens cap, unbranded lens hood, and a very nice looking Walz chrome metal and glass Skylight C. (cloudy) 52mm filter.

Pentamatic bayonet mount 13.5cm short telephoto lens… f/3.5 with rather low serial number. Early Yashica lenses were often given a serial number that starts with the focal length of the lens. In this example, ‘135 0722’ shows it to be a 135mm lens with a sequential production number of 722. Best guess is that this lens was made in early to mid-1960. We have another Super Yashinon-R 13.5cm lens with a serial number of ‘135 0927’.

The above image shows the lens partially disassembled for cleaning and inspection. No fungus or mold, but I’ve found some funky streaks on the face of the first removable lens element (large lens element to the right).

The chrome nose removed.

The main lens group removed. If you look closely, you may see the funky streaks across the face of the lens.

Aperture blades set at f/ 22. No oil and no problems (looking into the lens barrel from the front of the lens). Note the 12 aperture blades.

Here is a similar lens with the 12 blades that was for sale recently. The seller identified the lens as having been made by Kyoei Optical Co., Ltd. using the brand name “Acall” Kyoei was also abbreviated as “KOC” which may be the reason for the red “K.C.”

New info as of Feb 5, 2020 – At first, I guessed that my lens was made by Tomioka Optical as they were responsible for most of Yashica’s lenses. A reader has pointed out the similarities between my lens and the design of the Acall lenses with both Pentamatic and M42 mounts. I must say that I agree with them upon further review. Thank you for your input!

Partially assembled body. Nice clear markings and solid-looking bayonet mount.

These first Pentamatic lenses were pre-set and not automatic and were the kings of the heavyweight division. Lots of metal and glass here! When properly stored they were not prone to fungus… but almost all classic lenses will have some sort of mold, dust or fungal issues when left in the dark and in their leather cases.

Thanks for the visit!

Chris and Carol

You’re invited to visit our online store at https://www.ccstudio2380.com for some great vintage and collectible cameras, lenses, and accessories.

A Little More Pigeon Poo…

August 9, 2016December 7, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

It would appear that this Pigeon may be a rather rare version. From late 1952 to early 1953… is this a Model IIA? It doesn’t match completely with the other known Pigeon models.

The Shinano Pigeon 35 was not a groundbreaking camera during its run… it was just a solidly built 35mm viewfinder camera that still works like a charm even after 6 decades of use. Shinano, which had its roots in Suwa, Nagano Prefecture in the early 1950s, would cross paths with another start-up manufacturer from Nagano… Yashima. Yashima would go on to make its first TLR and call it a ‘Pigeonflex’. Shinano faded and Yashima eventually changed its name to Yashica (1958) and the name Pigeon essentially dropped from sight and memory.

Complete filter set and lens shade from Shinano for the Pigeon 35.

Vintage view of the Pigeon 35 Model IIA.

More images soon… from the camera! If you would like to know more about the Shinano Pigeon and all things related to Yashima-Yashica twin-lens reflex cameras, please stop by my friend Paul’s amazing website http://www.yashicatlr.com/Pigeonflex.html#pigeon35

Thanks for the visit… Chris and Carol

Pigeon 35 by Shinano Camera Co., Ltd.

August 1, 2016April 30, 2019Chris and Carol 9 Comments

Why show a 35mm viewfinder camera on a blog about the Yashica Pentamatic? Well, Shinano and Yashima-Yashica share a common history. The first camera that carried the Yashima name was the Pigeonflex… a twin-lens reflex (TLR) camera!

Anyway here’s a nice example of a gorgeous 35 mm viewfinder camera that we acquired recently. The lens is made by Tomioka… a sharp (we hope) Tri-Lausar f/ 3.5 4.5 cm lens. NKS shutter B – 1/200.

It’s a nice heavyweight camera that has a good feel to it. In our opinion, it’s far from being a cheaply built camera as some would say. In fact, it still functions as intended after 6 decades of use. Most leather cases would be a complete mess after this amount of time but the leather is nice and the stitching is intact.

1952 Pigeon 35 by Shinano.

Nice view of the Tomioka lens.

Beautiful logo on this metal cap.

Classic style. The top plate of the Pigeon 35.

After 6 decades of use, the case has held up nicely.

Interesting bottom plate

More to come! By the way, everything works just fine! Can’t wait to run a roll of film through it. Images of the leather case to follow too!

Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

My camera shop is always open at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Yashica’s Penta J and the J-P

June 21, 2016July 26, 2017Chris and Carol 1 Comment

Yashica’s first 35mm single-lens reflex camera with the Praktica-thread (M42) mount lenses was the Yashica Penta J… at least here in the United States and in Japan. Elsewhere (most of the world) the camera was known as either the Yashica Reflex 35 or Reflex J (Australia and possibly the U.K.). As best we can tell, they were all the same cameras with different top plates to accommodate the different names (logos).

Part of the demise (lack of sales success) of the well-built Pentamatic series of cameras that preceded the Penta J, was that Yashica decided to go with a Pentamatic exclusive bayonet mount lens system. Sturdy and well designed to be sure, but being unique limited the available lenses that could be swapped between cameras. The Praktica design M42 screw thread mounting system was in widespread use at the time and Yashica’s bayonet design just went against the flow.

No date on this sales brochure but our guess would be early 1962. The J-3 is the newest camera featured as it had all the goodies one would want in a modern SLR. The Penta J (upper left) had just come out in 1961 and it was Yashica’s first 35mm SLR with screw thread mounted lenses. The Pentamatic S arrived in early 1961 but used bayonet mounting for its exclusive design. Notice that the pentaprisms on the Penta J and Pentamatic S share the same design while the J-3 breaks with the previous cameras and ushers in the style that would carry through the remainder of Yashica’s SLR run of M42 cameras.

Yashica Penta J.

Yashica Reflex 35 in Germany.

Australian Reflex J sales brochure.

Now fast forward to 1965 ish… Yashica introduces the new J-5 AND the J-P! In between those years Yashica had introduced the J-3 and J-4. Why would Yashica go back in time and bring out another 35mm SLR in 1965 that was the cousin to the 1961 Penta J? Notice we say cousins… not brothers. They shared the same platform with one another but as you can see in the image below the top plates were of a different design.

1965 J-P on the left and the 1961 Penta J on the right. Cousins but not brothers. The shutter release button is on the right front on both cameras… Yashica added a self timer on the J-P and of course the top plates are different (most noticeably the design of the pentaprism). Some small changes to the design of the mirror box. Unseen from this view is that the J-P does not have a ASA/DIN dial like the Penta J had on the camera’s bottom left. Small note about weight… Penta J weighs in at 656 grams and the J-P weighs only 619 grams. No built-in exposure meters but accessory exposure meters were available at additional cost.

The J-P with a rather unique 5cm f/ 2.8 lens. The lens has to be the smallest of the M42 mount lenses and certainly it’s one of the lightest at only 136 grams!