Japanese Cameras and Lenses Archives

September 5, 2017

Nikon Nikkor H C 50mm F/2 LTM Lens Review – A Leica Alternative That’s More Than Just a Copy

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Nikkor-50mm-f-2-LTM-product-photos-3.jpg?fit=2200%2C1238&ssl=1 2200 1238 Josh Solomon Josh Solomon https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/kodak-ektachrome-samples-josh-9-of-9.jpg?fit=96%2C64&ssl=1 September 5, 2017 June 14, 2021

In my Leica M2 review, I mentioned a certain lens, a Nikkor-H.C. 5cm f/2 in Leica Thread Mount. The lens sparked a mini-revolt in the comments section, with its detractors crying “Heathen!” at my mounting…

Josh Solomon
29

August 28, 2017

Fujifilm Provia 100F Slide Film Profile

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Fuji-Provia-product-photos-1.jpg?fit=2000%2C1125&ssl=1 2000 1125 Josh Solomon Josh Solomon https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/kodak-ektachrome-samples-josh-9-of-9.jpg?fit=96%2C64&ssl=1 August 28, 2017 June 14, 2021

Many people will tell you that there’s nothing as scary in film photography as shooting slide film. It’s harsh, unforgiving, and only for experts. With every shot, they say, slide film will either deliver you…

Josh Solomon
16

July 21, 2017

Minolta MD Rokkor X 45mm F/2 Lens Review

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/md-45mm-f2-lens-review-featured-1.jpg?fit=2000%2C1125&ssl=1 2000 1125 Jeb Inge Jeb Inge https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/jeb-inge-photo-1.jpg?fit=96%2C78&ssl=1 July 21, 2017 June 14, 2021

I have a chambray button-down shirt that everyone seems to love. There’s nothing special about it and I bought it at the Bass outlet for less than $10. But every time I wear it out…

Jeb Inge
32

February 9, 2017

SMC Pentax M 40mm F/2.8 Pancake Lens Review

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Pentax-40mm-pancake-review-3.jpg?fit=1280%2C720&ssl=1 1280 720 James Tocchio James Tocchio https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/james-square.jpg?fit=96%2C96&ssl=1 February 9, 2017 June 14, 2021

Lilliputian. Svelte. Teensy and weensy, and of course, teensy-weensy. All words I’d never expect to write in a lens review, yet here we all are and I might as well get these silly synonyms for…

James Tocchio
24

January 1, 2016

Minolta XE-5 – Camera Review

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/minolta-xe-5-camera-review-1-of-16-e1478964645709.jpg?fit=1280%2C720&ssl=1 1280 720 James Tocchio James Tocchio https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/james-square.jpg?fit=96%2C96&ssl=1 January 1, 2016 June 11, 2020

I began my photographic journey with a Minolta DSLR, the rather fantastic-in-its-day Maxxum 5D, so when I felt the urge to try some film shooting more than a decade later, Minolta became my launching point.…

James Tocchio
17

September 23, 2015

Jay Tsujimura Soft Release Buttons – Product Spotlight

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/jay-tsujimura-camera-soft-release-hot-shoe-cover-4.jpg?fit=6000%2C3375&ssl=1 6000 3375 James Tocchio James Tocchio https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/james-square.jpg?fit=96%2C96&ssl=1 September 23, 2015 June 11, 2020

Today’s product spotlight is firmly fixed on the exquisitely crafted hot shoe covers and shutter release buttons made by Jay Tsujimura. Based in Japan, Jay meticulously carves, shapes, and polishes tiny camera accessories in a variety of precious…

James Tocchio
4

July 21, 2015

Exploded Views – Olympus OM2

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/olympus-om2-exploded-view-casual-photophile-10-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1440&ssl=1 2560 1440 James Tocchio James Tocchio https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/james-square.jpg?fit=96%2C96&ssl=1 July 21, 2015 June 11, 2020

We’re back with another Exploded View, and this time we’ve dissected a fan-favorite SLR. It’s Olympus’ OM-2, one of the smallest and most technologically advanced cameras of the film era. When we reviewed the OM-2 we were impressed by…

James Tocchio
6

July 8, 2015

Nikon Nikkor 105mm F/2.5 – Nikon’s Most Famous Portrait Lens

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Nikon-Nikkor-105mm-2.5-prod-photos-2.jpg?fit=2200%2C1238&ssl=1 2200 1238 James Tocchio James Tocchio https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/james-square.jpg?fit=96%2C96&ssl=1 July 8, 2015 June 5, 2021

We’re back with another noteworthy lens, and this one’s a real legend for Nikon photographers of a certain age. If you were shooting film during the 1960s or in any of the subsequent three decades,…

James Tocchio
59

June 8, 2015

Nikon N8008 / F-801 – Camera Review

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/nikon-n8008s-review-2.jpg?fit=5994%2C3370&ssl=1 5994 3370 James Tocchio James Tocchio https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/james-square.jpg?fit=96%2C96&ssl=1 June 8, 2015 June 11, 2020

Shooting classic cameras often brings compromise. Sometimes your camera lacks auto-focus, other times it’s got no light meter, or maybe your camera can’t auto-expose. I love old cameras, but occasionally the continual compromise makes me…

James Tocchio
33

May 20, 2015

Minolta MC Macro Rokkor QF 50mm F/3.5 Lens Review

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/minolta-mc-macro-rokkor-qf-50mm-f-3-5-4-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1439&ssl=1 2560 1439 James Tocchio James Tocchio https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/james-square.jpg?fit=96%2C96&ssl=1 May 20, 2015 June 11, 2020

Today we’re talking about a truly versatile lens. It’s Minolta’s MC Macro Rokkor QF 50mm F/3.5, and it provides one of the easiest and most affordable ways to get into macro photography whether you’re shooting…

James Tocchio
5

April 27, 2015

Canon FD 28mm F/2.8 – Lens Review

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/canon-fd-28mm-2-8-review-7.jpg?fit=1609%2C905&ssl=1 1609 905 James Tocchio James Tocchio https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/james-square.jpg?fit=96%2C96&ssl=1 April 27, 2015 June 11, 2020

For a lens to be remarkable it doesn’t always have to be exceptionally gorgeous, have the highest specification, or cost as much as a small, used car. Sometimes the best lenses are modestly specced and…

James Tocchio
25

April 20, 2015

Canon A-1 Camera Review – Canon’s Greatest Gadget

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/canon-a-1-camera-review-6.jpg?fit=2446%2C1369&ssl=1 2446 1369 James Tocchio James Tocchio https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/james-square.jpg?fit=96%2C96&ssl=1 April 20, 2015 June 11, 2020

Were CP the kind of website to give our reviews catchy taglines, the Canon A-1’s review might pose a problem. I could title it The Forgotten Canon, or The Middle Child, and these would be…

James Tocchio
75

April 2, 2015

Exploded Views – Minolta MC Rokkor 50mm F/2

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/titlew-mc-rokkor-50-fff2.jpg?fit=1439%2C808&ssl=1 1439 808 James Tocchio James Tocchio https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/james-square.jpg?fit=96%2C96&ssl=1 April 2, 2015 July 19, 2020

Here’s another installment in our Exploded Views feature. Last time we featured the Canon AE-1, and this week we’re showcasing something that’s admittedly simpler, less jaw-dropping, and easier on our bleeding fingertips. It’s Minolta’s MC…

James Tocchio
4

March 26, 2015

Exploded Views – Canon AE-1

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/canon-ae1-exploded-title-e1475760668825.jpg?fit=1280%2C731&ssl=1 1280 731 James Tocchio James Tocchio https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/james-square.jpg?fit=96%2C96&ssl=1 March 26, 2015 June 11, 2020

Casual Photophile was born from an appreciation that cameras are amazing, tiny machines. What better way to illustrate the intricacy and wonder of these little devices than to tear them apart and splay their innards across a…

James Tocchio
16