Monday’s Camera – Asahi Pentax H2

May 3, 2021May 3, 2021Chris and Carol 2 Comments

I like their simple lines and I think they look uncluttered without the clunky self-timer lever stuck on its face.

M42 screw-in lens mount so most of my Yashinon (Tomioka) lenses will fit but not always correctly. The same goes for my Fujinon lenses.

Happy Monday! As I was surfing through my archives of cameras that have long since departed and I came across this little gem – the Asahi Pentax H2. I’ve always been fond of these, I guess I just like their look and the solid feel in your hands. I haven’t had much luck with them over the years as I almost always end up with a stuck in the up position mirror or some other shutter or film advance issue. They’re quite old now so a good CLA would bring them back. Too late for that with this one as it was purged in a big sell off years ago.

If you’re looking for an interesting classic camera to chase the H2 is worth your time and energy. As with all older SLRs look for the best you can afford. It may not work but it will look good sitting around.

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! – Uncle Sam wants your money!

May 2, 2021May 2, 2021Chris and Carol 2 Comments

Uncle Sam cast iron mechanical bank. Reproduced from the original which has a patent of 1875. This one was made in the late 1950s to early 1960s. He is a genuine original copy.

Sam weighs nearly 5 pounds and stands almost a foot tall. He’ll gladly take your money as he’s in excellent operating condition.

I wish I knew how to upload a short video here to show how he operates. Maybe I’ll learn soon and if I do I’ll gladly update my post.

Hansa Self-Timer from the 1950s and its relationship with Canon

April 30, 2021April 30, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Before built-in self-timers were available on cameras there had to be a way to remotely trigger the shutter so that the photographer could get into the picture or to prevent camera shake when shooting at slow shutter speeds. That’s where this little gizmo came in (and dozens more like it).

They’re very popular with classic camera collectors and this gem sold within 24 hours of listing it in my camera shop (www.ccstudio2380.com).

More than likely only a few manufacturers made these things for other companies and collecting all of the different models and versions can be a whole fun branch of camera collecting.

They simply screwed into the shutter button just like a cable release and with the action of a mechanical timer would fire the shutter. Usually anywhere from 5 to 10 seconds or just enough time to get in the shot.

Hansa refers to the Omiya Photo Supply Company. Please see http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/%C5%8Cmiya

Interestingly back in 1936 the first Canon camera made after their name change from “Kwanon” had the word “Hansa” engraved on the top of the camera and that camera is commonly referred to as the “Hansa Canon”. To my eye the way Hansa is written on the case of this timer is the same as Hansa was engraved on the Canon. The “H” and “A” being slightly modified by the 1950s. Certainly the “S” is spot on. For more about this bit of interesting Canon history please visit https://www.canonrangefinder.org/Canon_Hansa.htm

So if you’re looking to collect something different from the 1950s and it’s related to photo gear, then these self-timers can provide hours of fun searching and researching. Heck, I’ve seen the Hansa timer in about every color case you can imagine from this striking green to blue, and yellow!

By the way, the little “Hc” in the circle just may relate back to “Hansa Canon”. Something to think about.

Happy SUNday!

April 25, 2021April 25, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Ready for Spring to spring!

Camera – Fujifilm FinePix JX250 (from 2010).

beads in a box

April 24, 2021April 24, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Camera Fujifilm FinePix S9900W

Yashima Flex TLR – 1954

April 24, 2021April 24, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Made by Yashima which later changed its name to Yashica. This is one of the earliest TLRs made by them and this one is in mint condition inside and out.

The lenses were made for Yashima by Tomioka Optical which would later be acquired by Yashica.

A beautiful machine from another time – made by the talented craftspeople in Nagano Prefecture (on the shores of Lake Suwa). It’s getting close to celebrating its 70th anniversary.

This gem was worth chasing all the way to Japan. I was very lucky to buy this directly from the original collector.

Goody Box!

April 22, 2021April 22, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

My rather large mail box in front of my home. Lots of cool stuff comes in and lots of great stuff heads out. It’s a wonderful thing.

Test shot with my new Fujifilm FinePix JX250 ultra-compact digital camera. It features a super-sharp Fujinon f3.6 5X Zoom lens (5-25mm) and a useful 14 megapixels. No post production except for a tiny crop.

Wide-angle shot with my Fuji… super-sharp details and accurate auto exposure in a tricky lighting situation. No post production.

Ferns in a pot. OK exposure in a tough backlighting situation.

I’ll have more about this interesting point and shoot digital camera from Fujifilm soon.

Earth Day 2021

April 22, 2021April 22, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Happy Earth Day! Be safe, respect the Earth and one another.

Disney Stuff

April 22, 2021April 22, 2021Chris and Carol 2 Comments

From the Whispering Canyon Cafe in the Wilderness Lodge Resort at Walt Disney World… a menu.

One of our favorite places to eat while staying at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort. The kids (and us) always had a great time while there. Lots of great food and a fun “floor show” put on by the servers and guests.