My Yashica Pentamatic collection. The Pentamatic ’35’, Pentamatic II, and the Pentamatic S. Also, the Yashica Penta J and a couple of Yashica Sailor Boys.Nikon F2A, Nicca 3-S, Contax 137 MD Quartz, and a Yashica FX-D Quartz.Nikon FT, Leica IIIg (awaiting new skins), and a Nikon FTn Photomic ‘Apollo’. In the back, a Yashica YT-300 radio.At the bottom are a Contax RX, Asahi Pentax H2, Yashica Flex S, and a Contax RTS.
‘GAS’, Gear Acquisition Syndrome. I do love collecting and occasionally using my classic film cameras. I lean towards Yashica and Contax, although more than a few Nikons have snuck in. By the way, these are Ikea cabinets. They offer high-quality metal and glass display cabinets at a great price. 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
The Contax 50th Anniversary Edition 137 MD Quartz 35mm SLR film camera.
The ’50 Years’ model had a unique leatherette and a gold Contax ‘button’ on the flash sync terminal.I don’t usually chase anniversary models, but this one struck me as pure in the early 1980s.
Contax celebrated fifty years, 1932-1982.
One of two standard lenses is shown here.Contax numbered their cameras, consequently. As far as I am aware, no date code is hidden in the serial numbers.It’s a simple manual focus aperture priority camera first released in 1980. Notice the location of the tripod socket. The entire baseplate is removable to be able to install the four AA batteries needed to power the meter and motor drive.Advertisement from early 1980.I believe the red sticker indicates that the color of the body is ‘fin’ or ‘wine.’ The Google Translate app isn’t apparent.There aren’t many of these models still available, but they are well worth being chased.
This particular camera was sold in Japan, and unfortunately, I don’t have the original paperwork or Japanese instruction booklet. I’d love to find the correct strap, too. The proper case is a bit of a mystery, but I believe it should have been C-004, according to my friend Graham in the UK. By the way, the period correct flash units made for the 137 MD is the Contax TLA20 and TLA30 Auto Flash units for true TTL flash metering. There is also a 137 Data Back and a 137 Grip Adapter. Thanks for stopping by and be sure to visit my camera shop (hosted by Etsy) at http://www.ccstudio2380.com – Chris
Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai
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
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
I’ve enjoyed acquiring camera and photography brochures over the years and now have quite an extensive collection of them (go figure). I’ll be listing some of them in my camera shop over the next few months so if you’re on the hunt for something specific, just let me know and or visit my shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com.
This is a large-format Fujifilm film brochure from 1998. Fujicolor Professional 160 film was a popular color negative film in the 1990s.Here is a relatively hard-to-find brochure on the not-often-seen Yashica Electro 35 Professional camera from 1970. It’s a Japanese camera shop brochure.A large (9 x 21 inch) Plexiglas camera dealer’s display sign is also available in my shop.I no longer own the camera but have the original boxes for it. It would add a nice touch to your collection.The Canon black and olive green camera bag is still new and unused and is available.A like-new Minolta 35mm SLR set with its original box and papers.
These are just a few of the neat items I have in my shop, all at a 10% savings! Thanks for stopping by, Chris.
Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai
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
I took some images while testing my Yashica ML 50mm f1.7 Contax/Yashica lens from the late 1970s.
Fujifilm X-T2Fujifilm X-T2
I used a K&F Concept adapter (C/Y to FX) to shoot with my Yashica lens. I’m pretty pleased with the results. The Yashica ML lenses are cousins of the much more expensive Carl Zeiss T* that were likely made in the same factory and facilities.
Thanks for stopping by, Chris
Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai
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
This lovely model was likely photographed while in the Japanese Alps in Nagano Prefecture. Yashima’s first factory was opened in the Lake Suwa region in 1953. The Winter Olympics were held in Nagano in 1998. Pictured is the Yashica Flex C. ‘Beautiful Seasonal Colors at Yashica.’ ‘Fuji Color Used’ in the bottom right.
Thanks for stopping by, Chris
Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai
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
Scientific/Medical ‘Sci-Med’ camera with a Real Time Winder both are from around 1977 or early 1978. No official documentation exists on this variant of the Contax-Yashica RTS (first model) released in 1975. It’s been referred to as the RTS ‘Fundus,’ but again, there needs to be a mention of why it was produced and for what purpose beyond the Sci-Med community to be able to accept that designation, in my opinion. Slight enhancements include a small raised collar around the sensitive magnetic shutter release button and a shutter speed lock button on the right side of the camera’s top plate (as viewed from the front). The shutter speed dial locks in the 1/60 position (electronic flash sync speed), and the button needs to be depressed to select another speed. The Real Time Winder was mated with this camera as they shared the curious ‘Registered Number U.S.A.’ sticker. Many unknowns exist about this limited production camera, and much misinformation is floating around. I hope to uncover some truths or, at the very least, present only factual info. If you have documentation concerning this Scientific/Medical version, please share it with me – advertisements, brochures, or mentions in the photographic press back in the day.
Most RTS cameras have degraded or peeled leatherette coverings as the adhesives and the slightly softer leather haven’t held up over the decades. This one has, for the most part. The RTS line (RTS, RTS II Quartz, and RTS III) all use lenses with the Contax/Yashica (C/Y) mount.The Real Time Winder can shoot up to 2 frames per second (2 fps). Higher-speed motor drives and winders with speeds up to 5 fps were also available.The JCII ‘Passed’ sticker is in a different position from where these stickers were usually placed on the RTS, which would be on the left side of the prism. I guess it was put here on the Sci-Med version because the ‘Registered’ sticker was placed on the prism (by the factory or the distributor?).The baseplate is marked ‘Scientific / Medical’; otherwise, it’s not different from a standard RTS.The registration numbers are different, but the winder and the camera body were together as a set when I purchased them.Early magazine advertisement. Here, it incorrectly indicates that the Real Time Winder is capable of 2 1/2 fps. The manual has it at 2 fps.1976 magazine ad.Beautifully designed and highly functional.
The Contax-Yashica RTS, Real Time System, was jointly developed by Yashica and Carl Zeiss, with the design originating from Porsche. The camera features fully automatic through-the-lens electronic exposure control; select the proper film speed (ASA, ISO) and the desired aperture (f-stop), and the camera selects the appropriate shutter speed. It’s also a fully manual camera, with the user setting the shutter and aperture values. It was a camera I was initially interested in when I was looking to replace my first SLR, the Yashica TL Electro-X, in 1978 when I was stationed in the Navy in Japan. If I remember correctly, the Navy Exchange stores didn’t have a large selection of Contax cameras, so my choice quickly became the Canon F-1 over the Nikon F-2.
Here is my first Contax RTS, which isn’t the Sci-Med version.
I chose the Yashica ML 50mm f1.7 lens over the more expensive Zeiss T-Star (T*) lens.
Thanks for stopping by, Chris
Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai
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
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Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris 