A Yashica TL Electro-X ITS, purchased new in 1973 in Okinawa, Japan. I’m the second owner.I keep it in new condition, mostly on display.The original Yashica TL Electro X is on the left, and the enhanced ITS is on the right. It’s mostly a marketing move rather than any real changes.Sales brochure from 1973.This brochure features the famous Auto Yashinon 55mm f1.2 lens made for Yashica by Tomioka Optical.
Comments are always welcome; I’ve learned a great deal from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by. While there, visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios, hosted on Etsy). – Chris Whelan
My very early 1971 (maybe as early as March) Canon F-1 box. These original F-1 boxes are difficult to come by, but I was extremely lucky to add this one to my collection recently. As a side note, I graduated from high school in 1971.
Earliest F-1 box.This set included the camera body and lens, with a lens hood and case. I have all the proper bits.Looks almost pristine.On one side of the box is a list of available accessories (accessories obtainable).Shown here with Canon’s part or model numbers. I think it was super smart of them to include this information on the box, as most buyers purchased additional items at the time of sale or shortly afterward.One of my early sets.
If you’re chasing classic camera gear, finding 55-year-old boxes in excellent condition is very difficult but not impossible. Happy hunting!
Comments are always welcome; I’ve learned a great deal from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by. While there, visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios, hosted on Etsy). – Chris Whelan
Comments are always welcome; I’ve learned a great deal from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by. While there, visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios, hosted on Etsy). – Chris Whelan
Comments are always welcome; I’ve learned a great deal from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by. While there, visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios, hosted on Etsy). – Chris Whelan
Here is an early Canon advertisement for its F-1 (and others).
In the United States, Bell & Howell was the distributor for Canon products.
The Canon F-1 was first released in the US in March 1971. Some cameras were produced as early as September 1970 to meet the release date. If you find an F-1 with a very low serial number (less than 1000), it could have been made in 1970. The internal date code would carry a ‘K’ as its first letter (K=1970).
My earliest F-1 is from mid-1971.
A complete, early, original Canon F-1 set.The F-1’s serial numbers started at 100001. Mine was number 2,597.
Comments are always welcome; I’ve learned a great deal from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by. While there, visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios, hosted on Etsy). – Chris Whelan
Comments are always welcome; I’ve learned a great deal from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by. While there, visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios, hosted on Etsy). – Chris Whelan
Many photographers may disagree with my comment that the AE-1 was Canon’s best compact 35mm SLR. It was, at the time it was released, a hyper-popular camera and broke numerous sales records for the industry and made Canon a boatload of money. Some might say the A-1 was the best, but it was a bit more expensive, and although it was much more capable, it may have been too smart for casual users.
Simple, user-friendly, and affordable.Some of Canon’s best.
Comments are always welcome; I’ve learned a great deal from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by. While there, visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios, hosted on Etsy). – Chris Whelan
The Nikon F2A set is exceptionally nice and complete. It even features a Nikon motor drive!The Canon New F-1 is a limited edition 1984 LA Olympics set.Sales brochures. I have hundreds of brochures and instruction books.
I ship nearly worldwide. Please reach out if there’s something specific you are looking for – I likely have it! Here are two of the best 35mm SLRs from the late 1970s and early 1980s (see below).
My super-sharp, complete Nikon F2A set.(Sold) The 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Special Edition Canon F-1.
The Canon F-1 LA Olympic set was just sold from my Etsy Camera Shop – thank you!
Comments are always welcome; I’ve learned a great deal from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by. While there, visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios, hosted on Etsy). – Chris Whelan
Canon made these limited-edition cameras for the 1984 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles.
My strange Canon New F-1 Los Angeles 1984 camera. I say “strange” because the gold paint on the logos is weak and missing. The camera is definitely well-used, with plenty of dents, but shows no brassing. It’s a genuine Olympics body with a date code X1123 (Nov 83) and a proper LA6312 serial number. It works perfectly (not film-tested yet). It could make a fun user camera, as most people wouldn’t use a limited-edition camera and risk beating the heck out of it. Please let me know your thoughts. Should I attempt to fill in the gold or leave it be? It would be difficult to match the gold without mucking it up, so I have that going for me.
A few dents and missing gold paint, but otherwise a good-looking camera.Back view. The LA cameras got a special serial number.
It’s estimated that about 9,000 to 9,900 were made. My camera is an LA6312, made in November 1983. My guess is that Canon must have made at least another 3,000 units, but I don’t know that for sure. I have seen an LA9584, and it was made in April 1984.
The bottom plate looks amazingly good given its age and use.Top view.
The Canon limited edition Olympic cameras are a fun twist for collectors. There are the 1976 Montreal, 1980 Lake Placid, and 1984 Los Angeles models.
Comments are always welcome; I’ve learned a great deal from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by. While there, visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios, hosted on Etsy). – Chris Whelan
Hi all! I have my last Canon Macrolite ML-1 electronic flash from my collection for sale. This one is the latest version from 1985. It will work perfectly with the Canon New F-1 as well as any of the earlier A-Series cameras. It’s in my Etsy camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com
Comments are always welcome; I’ve learned a great deal from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by. While there, visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios, hosted on Etsy). – Chris Whelan
Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris 