Under the radar Yashica 35mm P&S compact film camera – Yashica Zoomate 150EF

November 18, 2022November 18, 2022Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Kyocera Zoom Lens – 10 elements in 8 groups, coated, dual aspherical optics.

PRESS RELEASE

February 9, 2001

KYOCERA RELEASES SECOND COMPACT ZOOM

CAMERA WITH THE YASHICA ZOOMATE 150EF

Somerset, NJ—Following in the wake of its successful launch of the Yashica Zoomate

165EF compact zoom camera, Kyocera Optics now unveils the latest offering in its line

of “Super Flash” cameras—the Yashica Zoomate 150EF.

Like its sister camera, the Zoomate 150EF is fully loaded with the features and

performance photographers demand in a compact 35mm camera. Fully automatic, the

camera provides auto focus, auto exposure, and five built-in flash modes. A precise, five-point

passive focusing system locks your subject in focus for exceptionally sharp

photographs with every shot. The 38mm-150mm lens glides to the setting of your choice

with the touch of a button. With its programmed auto exposure, the camera insures the

best color and contrast under a range of lighting conditions. Five flash options—

including fill flash and red-eye reduction—allow the photographer to select the flash

strength desired to properly illuminate his subject: Backlit objects are brightened,

daytime shadows are eliminated and intimate portraits can be created using only natural

light.

Constructed of ten elements in eight groups, the lens system in the Zoomate 150EF

provides astonishing color and clarity. Brilliant colors pop off each photo, whether the

subject is a Cape Cod sunset or a family reunion. The sharpness of the images perfectly

complements the color. Thanks to the camera’s coated dual aspherical lens, crisp,

detailed photos are created shot after shot.

The Zoomate 150EF boasts an array of other key features as well. Standard features

include automatic film load/advance/rewind, mid-roll manual rewind, a top shutter speed

of 1/300 second, Infinity Lock, and a built-in panoramic switch. For users with

eyeglasses, the camera offers a built-in adjustable diopter (+1 – -3). For photographers who demand excellent optics,

outstanding flash functionality and fully automatic features in a compact, lightweight

camera, the Yashica Zoomate 150EF is the perfect combination of power and

performance.

The Zoomate 150EF is manufactured by Kyocera Optics, Inc., a division of Kyocera

International, Inc.

Just in time for Christmas, I’ve added this to my online camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com… 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

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.

Yashica’s Yashikor f/2.8 5cm Gem

November 14, 2022November 14, 2022Chris and Carol Leave a comment

A wonderful LTM lens from 1959 was likely made for Yashica by Tomioka Optical for use on their new Yashica YE 35mm Leica-inspired rangefinder camera. The YE was also known as the 35 YE and the 35 E type during its short run.

Here the lens is shown mounted to my Nicca 3-S.

It’s a handsome lens and it looks well-suited for this mid-1950s Nicca.

A test image from my Fujifilm X-A10 with Fotodiox adapter. I believe this was taken at f/11.

This one was taken late in the day in deep shade. The Fujifilm X-A10 was set to Velvia film simulation mode. Nice strong colors and sharp contrast.

If you’re interested in discovering more about this under-the-radar lens and Yashica camera might I suggest you stop by my good friend Paul Sokk’s site at http://www.yashicatlr.com/YE&YF.html#yashicaye

As always, thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Yashica Model LM 44

October 14, 2022October 14, 2022Chris and Carol Leave a comment

A beautiful example of this interesting camera from Yashica.

With its original box and still looking like new.

The LM 44 had a built-in light meter (LM) and used 127-roll film.

Produced from 1959 to 1965. It was much smaller than a 120-roll film TLR.

If you’re interested in these collectible twin-lens cameras (TLR) from Yashica remember that they use the now discontinued 127-roll film vice the common 120-roll film. I understand that there are ways to re-spool 120 films on 127 film rolls. Thanks for stopping by. – Chris

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twosday 2 fer – Random Yashica

October 11, 2022October 11, 2022Chris and Carol 2 Comments

A couple of images were recently “discovered” in my image files.

The Yashica Pentamatic ’35’ was Yashica’s first 35mm SLR. Designed with the assistance of Nicca camera which Yashica acquired in 1958.

The Yashica Flex S was the first TLR (twin-lens reflex) to have an attached but uncoupled exposure meter attached. The Minicam flash was a very popular flash unit in the mid-1950s.

Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

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Beautiful Yashica A III Set – 1959

September 20, 2022September 20, 2022Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I’ve decided to part with my rather rare Yashica A III camera set. The A III was the last model ‘A’ that Yashica produced in that line and this one was only made between April 1959 to August 1960 with release mostly in Japan and later in Europe in very limited numbers.

This camera was made in November 1959 and features light dove gray leatherette over dark gray metal and it came with a light gray leather case. Everything about this camera is unique, especially the instruction booklet (English gent in the bowler). The booklet is over 80 pages in length and it goes way beyond giving instruction in the operation of the model A III. It includes (in English) a brief history of the beginnings of the company and the founder. I’ve never seen another copy of this booklet in all of my years of collecting Yashica products.

Gray on gray. The gray leatherette is clean and stain and discoloration free.

The camera operates as it should and the optics are clean, clear, and sharp. I believe that the camera has been on display in a collection for a long time before I acquired it. The original box is in outstanding condition and unlike most boxes from that period, it is super clean and still solid. That in itself is a rare find. The gray leather case is also a rare find as it is also still in excellent condition. All of the stitching is in place and the leather is subtle and clean.

The original leather case has done an excellent job of protecting this wonderful camera.

If you are interested in purchasing my camera set I have it in my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com or we can make arrangements to purchase it through this blog and PayPal. As always, thanks for stopping by! – Chris

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wordless (almost) wednesday

June 29, 2022June 29, 2022Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

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Yashica 300mm Leather Lens Case

June 14, 2022June 14, 2022Chris and Carol 3 Comments

I came across this wonderful lens case the other day and I’d like to pass it along as I don’t have the actual lens that would go with it and the original box. The case itself could easily fit almost any telephoto lens in that focal length. It still looks new.

You can buy it directly here on this post via PayPal or go to my online camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com and purchase it there.

Yashica 300mm Leather Lens Case

As described in this post, it’s complete with the original box, unopened strap, warranty card, and Yashica lens guide. No lens, just the like-new lens case.

$39.00

Shipping is free in the USA! Worldwide shipping is available but please contact me for a quote before purchasing. Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

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Happy SUNday!

June 5, 2022June 5, 2022Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Here is an interesting pair. A Yashica-44 from 1958 mated with a Gold Crest Flashcube adapter from 1965.

The Yashica was a smaller format TLR using 127 roll films.

Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Yashica Tominon Lens – a hard one to chase

May 17, 2022May 17, 2022Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Shown here mounted on one of my Yashica Pentamatics – 35mm SLR camera from 1960.

Preset lens, Yashica Pentamatic bayonet mount.

Not many of these dual-branded lenses were made and with no accurate data from Yashica, one can only guess the actual production numbers. Less than 3,000? Maybe slightly more or a lot less. This serial number can tell a bit of the story. The number on this lens is 350309. The ’35’ refers to the lens’s focal length, which is 35mm. the last 4 digits are simply the sequential number of lenses made up to that point. ‘0309’ means that this is the 309th lens made since the start of production (whenever that was). My guess is around mid-1960.

So, if you’re up for a challenge try tracking down this lens on the various online auction sites. You’ll quickly find out that you’ll be looking for quite a while – but it’s worth it in the end. Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check me out on Instagram at @ccphotographyai – Chris

Rare Pentamatic ’35’ Brochure from Japan

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

Here is another great find – fresh in from a seller in Japan. I believe this may be one of the first dedicated sales brochures for Yashica’s new 35mm SLR film camera. I’m guessing this was released in the Spring of 1960. Unfortunately, Yashica didn’t hide a date code somewhere in the brochure.

This is a scan of the centerfold –