Monday Picks – new cameras in my camera shop!

October 18, 2021October 18, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Happy Monday! I’ve added some new cameras and photo gear in my online camera shop hosted by Etsy at http://www.ccstudio2380.com over the weekend. Take advantage of these awesome finds at a 10% discount. I mail worldwide.

You’ll find an exciting array of cameras, collectibles, lenses, and photo gear in the shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Thanks for stopping by and have a great 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.

Yashica Binoculars – 1962

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

This is a scan from the 1962 Australian importer Swift & Bleakley Camera & Accessory Catalogue. As discussed in a previous post, it is likely Yashica did not make binoculars that they sold under their name. It appears that was a common practice during the 1960s and 1970s. Most Japanese camera manufacturers had minor accessories like binoculars and tripods made by outside contractors who may or may not have built the items to Yashica’s specifications. My guess is that most of these binoculars listed above were only slightly modified from existing stock items. It’s no knock on Yashica since their reputation was made by building high-quality cameras and selling them at the lowest possible price and counting on volume to make their profits. It’s quite possible that Yashica still made a nice profit by reselling these binoculars banking on their good name to sell them to already established Yashica brand customers.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Friday Fotos! – Yashica Binoculars

September 24, 2021September 24, 2021Chris and Carol 1 Comment

I don’t usually collect binoculars but sometimes you come across a pair that scream “buy me”! These rather rare binoculars did just that. Of course, it helps that they carry the Yashica brand. Yashica binoculars enjoy a good reputation as being of high-quality with exceptionally good optics.

These lovely miniature binoculars are of the reverse Porro prism design and are in mint condition especially considering they were likely made in the early 1960s (maybe the late 1950s) not by Yashica but by a very well-known maker of binoculars the Seiwa Kogaku Company of Tokyo.

Japan imposed strict guidelines on the manufacture of binoculars and telescopes. These guidelines stated that binoculars were to be of the highest quality and be able to pass extensive testing and quality control procedures. As such, the original maker had to stamp in the metal casing their unique manufacturer’s mark regardless of the final branding.

Assembly manufacturer’s mark J-B93 is for the Seiwa Kogaku Company. There’s a secondary mark on the casting J-E50 for Tanaka Koki Seisakujo, Inc.

7 x 28 Extra Wide Angle. The optics are bright and clear. Focusing is a bit stiff but that’s expected as the original grease starts to dry out after all these years.

The beautiful felt lined leather case still looks new.

28 mm objective lenses. Kinda cute from this angle.

Excellent craftsmanship on the leather case and surprisingly all the stitches are tight.

Usually the bottom of a leather case takes a lot of abuse but this one is almost pristine. I haven’t been able to find another inspection sticker on the binoculars just this one on the case. The letters look like “E.G.M.C.J.” to me. I’ve seen this sticker on the bottom of other leather cases made in Japan and on the bottom of a wood serving tray made in Japan. My best guess is “Export Graded something Center Japan”.

The binoculars are very compact due to their optical design but are still rather heavy at just over one pound (490 grams). Thanks for stopping by and I hope to write more soon. Have a great day and evening!

wordless wednesday

September 15, 2021September 15, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Thanks for stopping by!

New items in my Camera Shop for September

September 13, 2021September 13, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Hello and thanks for stopping by! I’ve added some really unique and rare items in my online Camera Shop which is hosted by Etsy at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Lots more to see at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

a Yashica classic – Pentamatic ’35’

August 21, 2021August 21, 2021Chris and Carol 1 Comment

Yashica’s first ever 35mm SLR. Designed with the help from Nicca, the first Pentamatics were produced in late 1959 and made their debut in the US by the Spring of 1960. Tomioka Optical made a majority of the lenses that were used on all three models of the camera – Pentamatic ’35’, Pentamatic II, and the Pentamatic S. My good friend Paul Sokk has written an excellent piece about the development of this important camera for Yashica. Paul’s site can be found at http://www.yashicatlr.com/Pentamatic.html

Thanks for stopping by and have a happy and safe day!

Yashica Auto Focus Motor 5 Star – 1981

August 19, 2021August 19, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

The Yashica ‘Sailor Boy’ advertising figurine was brought back for the launch of this nifty point and shoot compact. The figurine made its first appearance in 1962 and has cycled through a few retirements since his introduction. He’s holding that camera in this version of the ‘Sailor Boy’.

I’m not sure when Yashica started using the term ‘5 Star’ with this model as the only place I see it mentioned is on the original presentation box.

Leica-like 35mm Cameras by Paul Sokk

August 15, 2021August 15, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

My good friend Paul Sokk in Australia has one of the best camera sites you’ll ever come across. Paul covers in great detail cameras from Yashica, Nicca, and Leotax to name just a few. Here’s the link to a rather new section that Paul added just recently. http://www.yashicatlr.com/LeicaCopies.html

Paul’s knowledge of Yashica cameras, especially the twin-lens models, is second to none (shameless plug). http://www.yashicatlr.com/index.html

If you decide to give his site a read be sure to let him know what you liked specifically and please share anything of interest as Paul is always seeking out new information and ideas to share with his readers.

Friday Fotos! – Logos

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

Red logos as it turns out.

Contax RTS by Fujifilm X-A10

July 29, 2021July 29, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I haven’t used my Fujifilm X-A10 mirrorless camera in a bit so tonight I thought I would dust it off (only an expression as I keep my gear clean) and try some new settings. The lens is a Super EBC XC 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 OIS II model which I believe is considered a kit lens. I did buy the body and lens separate though. It’s about the most inexpensive way to experience the Fujifilm X Series without breaking the bank. You can check it out in greater detail here.

My subject of the day is my recently acquired Contax RTS with it’s sexy new leather half-case from TP Original, color is “volcano”.

PROVIA film simulation mode, shallow depth of field, 5600K studio lighting.

Shallow depth of field (again) focused on the from of the Yashica lens. Black & White film simulation mode, 5600K studio lighting.

I use the Fujifilm mostly for testing vintage lenses by using the appropriate adapters to mount the lens to the mirrorless camera body.

Here’s my Canon FD 28mm f3.5 lens mounted to the Fujifilm X-A10 using an adapter from Fotodiox.

Since I take lots of images for my listings in my camera shop I believe I’ll go back to using this camera and take a break from the camera I normally use. (Fujifilm FinePix S9900W)