The last affordable 35mm SLR: Cosina CT1/CT1G

[@Regsfoto]

Thank you for this overview for the venerable Cosina! I bought a CT-1a in 1983 just after I finished high school, I was getting ready to leave for service and my dad thought I should have a camera. It got me through four years of service and college and helped me embark on a professional career. Over the years I've bought other more advanced cameras but I still have my trusty CT-1a, which 40 years on I still occasionally take out and put a roll through. Still works like the day I bought it!

[@threeminutepro]

It’s extremely durable, isn’t it? I really enjoy using it

[@themysterysuk2097]

That was the first camera a ever owned, I bought it in a little camera shop in Newcastle in the1980s, I loved that camera, it taught me everything I needed to know about photography. I now use a Sony NEX 6 because it reminds me of the Cosina in the sense that it is well made, underrated and you can put it in your pocket and take it with you where ever you go, and as for my old Cosina? well, I've still got it.

[@threeminutepro]

Well done! It’s one of my favourites. Even though there’s a lot of plastic, it feels really solid and well made. You’re right - it has everything you need.

[@joshmilne5607]

I just found one that belonged to my dad in a storage shed sitting in a leather case with a little mold on it, opened it up near mint condition CT1G ,haven't picked up my digital system in months. Thanks for the video mate.

[@threeminutepro]

You’re very welcome buddy 😀

[@erwartungstk]

I've just inherited one, and this was quite instructive, gonna try it out. Thank you very much for this video. For one second i thought i could get some good money out of it, but it seems that i'll better keep it functioning a bit longer.

[@threeminutepro]

It’s an unrecognised classic. One of the ones in my collection that works as well as the day it was first made.

[@onurekinaydin]

Thank you so much for the video mate, you made me decide to buy a CT1A for my girlfriend!

[@threeminutepro]

Brilliant! She’ll be really pleased with it.

[@neilpiper9889]

I have the Petri Gx1 which is identical to the CT1a. I use a Ricoh 50mm f2 lens on it mostly. I occasionally use a Ricoh P 28mm 2.8 k mount lens on it. I love it's small size and light weight.

[@threeminutepro]

The CT1 pops up everywhere with different badges, doesn’t it?

[@sputumtube]

Similar story for the low end Ricoh range? Pentax K-mount and similar build quality. I've got three of 'em (KR5, KR10, KR10 Super) and they all work fine.

[@threeminutepro]

Yes, I want to do a Ricoh review soon

[@cecilsharps]

i bought that camera new twice in different mounts. and 3 times used. minolta, olympus, pentax, nikon, i wish they had one in fd.

[@threeminutepro]

It’s amazing, isn’t it? I was amazed how much people will pay for it with the Bessa name on it

[@cecilsharps]

@@threeminutepro oh well that's easy. at the time Lots of people had leica l39 glass but didn't have a film body for it. it was expensive for what it was but a hell of a lot cheaper than used leica. or a new leica. they popped out some good glass, and even some great glass. eventually it became cult glass.

[@thomasfeimer1706]

Nice review. I am fascinated by this camera, which was sort of the "template" SLR for so many companies over the years. I've owned a couple of cameras based on this design: a Ricoh KR-5 (there were a lot of Ricohs based on the CT1) and the Vivitar V335. Both were dependable, basic SLR's that accepted K-mount lenses. Put one of Ricoh's high quality yet very affordable lenses on them, and odds are you'll come back with some great photos. But if they get lost, stolen, or damaged well, no tears and no regrets - you can always find another for a low price on ebay. One area I'd quibble with is your assessment of M42 lenses, mainly because Asahi Takumars were M42 lenses, and they offer best in class performance.

[@threeminutepro]

Yes, Takumars are great. I think they were single coated though?

[@thomasfeimer1706]

Not all are, but the SMC Takumars are. SMC stands for "Super Multi-Coated." Asahi was actually kind of at the forefront of multi-coating.

[@VideosByDeb]

*So, I have purchased the Cosina CT1 EX for my dad who once had the same camera as a gift. I believe these models are identical. I have purchased a Pentax 50mm 1.8 lens for the same. These does not have auto-focus. Now my question is, for the light meter does it requires a battery? And for someone wearing specs with negative power, how would one achieve correct focus through the viewfinder? Appreciate your assistance.* 💙

[@threeminutepro]

LR44 battery. Keep your glasses on when you look through the viewfinder

[@flashboyd200]

@@threeminutepro is it just one lr44 please ?

[@olleinsulander]

Two LR44. Hope your dad liked it!@@flashboyd200

[@gc6391]

The Bessaflex has a 2000 shutter speed. Unless the Cosina also has a 2000 shutter speed, it’s not the same.

[@threeminutepro]

www.35mmc.com/11/10/2019/cosina-ct-1-and-its-lengthy-legacy-by-ben-okeeffe/

[@pscion12]

The cosina ct-1 super has a 1/2000 selection. For all intent and purposes, they're pretty much the same body.

[@bmfitz2647]

Ssshh u r ruining a perfectly good secret lol

[@threeminutepro]

Haha! Yes, it’s a gem, isn’t it? 😀

[@mattdyer9544]

Save £600 and buy a nice M42 to Pentax K adapter, that's what I did when I was looking for a cheap lightweight beater camera

[@threeminutepro]

Good idea

[@jacovanlith5082]

Nomen est omen? The brand name COSINA makes me think of two things I did not like when I was young. I hated school and geometry. No hate feelings concerning Euclid, it were my teachers. Cosina makes me think of the law of cosines. Stupid name. In the mid-Sixties there was a photo import firm in the Hague in the Netherlands. ' In the brochure were some low budget cameras; a SLR and a range finder: COSINA. To me some miserable looking cameras. In the brochure also aluminium reflectors, a tripod and a L-grp for your flash. I needed the bochure because the firm was importing, Miranda SLR's, B&W filters and Durst enlargers, This modern COSINA SLR looks fine, except its type name: CT1G. Cosina should restart producing this SLR; with M42, PK and Nikon mount. Now named the COSINA 1