Yashica’s Model A TLR – a camera you should collect

April 12, 2022April 12, 2022Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Hi all… if you’re looking to get into medium-format film photography may I suggest you look for the Yashica Model A as a good starting point. The camera is super simple to operate and is very affordable compared to other Yashica models. The better price doesn’t get you an inferior camera though as the Model A uses high-quality Yashica lenses made by Tomioka Optical of Tokyo. Here’s an example of a Model A. This one was made in 1966 and is in mint condition.

Here’s a link to the instruction booklet. http://www.yashicatlr.com/PDFs%20User%20Manuals%20(new)/Yashica%20A%20(LoRes).pdf

The right side has a large focusing knob in feet and meters and a smaller film advance knob (upper left).

This camera’s left side features an accessory shoe.

A red viewing window indicates which exposure you’re on.

Film loading is simple as is unloading. The camera uses easy to find 120 roll film. I like using film from Fujifilm.

Both the viewing lens (top) and the taking lens are Yashikor f3.5 80mm made by Tomioka Optical. The shutter is made by Copal and features speeds from B (Bulb) to 1/300. The shutter is cocked by moving the lever (with a green dot) downward after advancing the film. The shutter release is the silver button on the lower left of the faceplate. The aperture is set by the silver lever to the right of the taking lens.

Instruction booklet from the first version of the camera (1956).

Why I love the Yashica-A. It’s simple to use and simple to operate and with less fussy features it’s likely to operate for decades to come and it’s easy to chase down on the online auction and buying sites (eBay, Etsy, Mercari). What’s the downside? Like any camera that’s over five decades old, fungus and mold on the lenses are the biggest issues. The good news is that it’s relatively easy to get at the lenses and give them a good cleaning as long as the fungus hasn’t etched the glass lens elements. I find my Yashica-A’s lens is just as good a picture taker as my much more feature-laden Yashica-Mat EM with a Yashinon lens. For much more on everything related to Yashica TLRs, stop by my good friend Paul Sokk’s site at http://www.yashicatlr.com – Thanks for stopping by, 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

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, is this blog’s property and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris, Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris.

Asahi Pentax 6×7 – one that got away*

August 23, 2021August 23, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

*Sold actually before I really got a chance to bond with it.

After chasing after a really nice Asahi Pentax 6×7 set I found myself in a familiar place. I had collected bit by bit a nice set in mint condition only to discover I was too hesitant to actually use it. So I sold it for way less than I should have and went with a Fujica GW690 with less features and a few more road miles on it. Turns out it was the right thing to do as I enjoy shooting these larger medium-format cameras as the quality of the images are simply awesome. My advice? The AP and Pentax 6×7 are awesome cameras packed with tons of features but if you just want to go big then check out the Fujica.

Fixed lens, no meter, just lots of detail packed into this beast.

A size comparison between a typical 35mm SLR and the Fujica 6×9.

Fernandina Beach (Amelia Island) post office on Fujifilm Acros 100. I couldn’t ask for any more detail and clarity.

Thanks for stopping by and have an awesome day!

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

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris, Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris.

Happy SUNday! – Classic Truck

July 11, 2021July 11, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

1951 model GMC truck. Centre Street, downtown Historic District, Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, Florida.

My focus was on the ‘GMC’.
Fujifilm Neopan 100 Acros B&W film.
Fuji Photo Film Fujica GW690 medium format camera with Fujinon 90mm f3.5 lens.

Friday’s Camera – Mamiya M645

May 7, 2021May 7, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Certainly a classic worthy of a chase. Beautiful lines, excellent features, awesome accessories – oh, and a wide selection of quality Mamiya-Sekor lenses.

This is an early model of the M645 – probably 1975 or so.

Interchangeable lenses, backs, finders, focusing screens, winders and probably a few bits I overlooked.

If you’re looking to explore medium-format photography and you want a camera that can be as creative as you and be used like a 35mm SLR, then the M645 is the way to go. Look for clean and damage free examples that haven’t been beaten to near death by a professional wedding or studio photog (no offense to those pros but I wouldn’t want their cameras).

Classic Mamiya M645 – a medium format SLR from 1975

August 29, 2020August 29, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Who hasn’t seen a professional photographer with a Mamiya M645? They were the go-to camera systems for weddings, school photos, and just about any type of photography that benefited from its 6×4.5cm format. I’ll admit, the camera did best on a tripod in a studio but with a steady hand and fast film, it did well on walkabouts.

Here is mine from a recent purchase from the original owner’s estate. Mr. Ken Cobean was a well-known writer and photographer from New Mexico back when it was still part of the old west. Ken’s works were published in magazines such as Time and Life and Ken received two prestigious awards for his photography during the 1964 New York World’s Fair.

Here’s Ken’s Mamiya M645 from 1975.

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It’s a beautifully maintained camera from Ken’s collection of portrait and press photography and it’s available in my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris.

Friday Fotos! – Mamiya M645

August 28, 2020August 28, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

The Mamiya M645 – a classic from 1975.

Mamiya M645 – 15 exposures on 120 roll film.

Medium format film camera with Mamiya-Sekor C f/4 150mm portrait lens.

Prism finder mounted in lieu of the standard waist-level finder. No built-in exposure meter.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day (be safe y’all!). – Chris

Be sure to visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com for some truly unique cameras and photographic accessories.

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris.

Vintage Japanese Leather Camera Cases

May 30, 2020May 30, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Here’s a small sample of some pretty rare (or at least super hard to find) leather cases from the late 1930s to the mid-1950s.

Coolest camera logo ever! Pluto 7

From Konishiroku (later became Konica) Semi-Pearl 4.5x6cm folding medium format 120 roll film camera – ca. 1938

The Semi-Pearl was the first camera made in late 1938. As I understand, there were other models made during the war, and after that became somewhat popular. Still, finding a leather case from the thirties is super rare as most have fallen apart.

Konishiroku Konilette (later became Konica) 35mm compact film camera – ca. 1953

This Konilette used a 35mm film without sprocket holes so the image was just a tad larger than a traditional 35mm image size.

Shichiyo Kogaku of Tokyo Pluto Six P medium format folding 120 roll film camera – ca. 1955

As I understand it, there were only two camera models made by Shichiyo – the Pluto Six P and the Pluto Six L. The cameras are super rare so finding an intact leather case after all these years is hyper rare. The “Pluto 7” logo derives from the Japanese word for seven – shichi which is part of the company name and is considered good luck.

These are currently available in my online (Etsy) camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

If you have one (or all) of these cameras then you’ll appreciate just how rare it is to find the cases in excellent condition. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend! – Chris

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris.

wordless wednesday

April 8, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

St. Marys Bridge

Thanks for stopping by and be safe out there! – Chris

http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Yashica 635 – shoot 6×6 cm and 35 mm all in one TLR

March 25, 2020March 25, 2020Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Back in 1958 (May-June) Yashica released or introduced the inventive model 635 twin-lens reflex (TLR) camera to the export markets. It would be a short while before the camera would make its debut in Japan.

The only film it couldn’t shoot was movie film!

This one is from one of the first batches of cameras made in June 1958. Its serial number puts it at the 231st made. It was purchased new by the original owner at the RAF Changi base in Singapore.

Close-up view of the 35 mm conversion kit that originally came with the camera.

A general idea of how to install the 35 mm film cartridge and kit.

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A gem from 1958.

As Carol and I continue to downsize our camera collection we’ve made this camera and kit available in our online camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

If you’re looking to get into medium-format film photography and still want to use 35 mm film to make color transparencies (slides) this is a perfect combo camera to invest in.

Thanks for stopping by and feel free to hit us with an offer if you’re so inclined. Chris & Carol

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris.

Happy SUNday! – Minolta Six

March 1, 2020March 1, 2020Chris and Carol 1 Comment

Minolta’s first 6×6 medium-format camera. The body is made almost entirely from Bakelite. 1936

Minolta Six side

Minolta Six top

Minolta six ad

It’s kinda hard to find a pre-war Minolta especially one that has a working shutter. What a lovely picture machine from another era. It’s available in my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Have a beautiful day and as always, thanks for stopping by! – Chris

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris.

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

Yashica cameras and so much more!

Tag Medium Format Photography

Yashica’s Model A TLR – a camera you should collect

Asahi Pentax 6×7 – one that got away*

Happy SUNday! – Classic Truck

Friday’s Camera – Mamiya M645

Classic Mamiya M645 – a medium format SLR from 1975

Friday Fotos! – Mamiya M645

The Mamiya M645 – a classic from 1975.

Vintage Japanese Leather Camera Cases

Here’s a small sample of some pretty rare (or at least super hard to find) leather cases from the late 1930s to the mid-1950s.

wordless wednesday

Yashica 635 – shoot 6×6 cm and 35 mm all in one TLR

Back in 1958 (May-June) Yashica released or introduced the inventive model 635 twin-lens reflex (TLR) camera to the export markets. It would be a short while before the camera would make its debut in Japan.

Happy SUNday! – Minolta Six

Minolta’s first 6×6 medium-format camera. The body is made almost entirely from Bakelite. 1936