Category Archives: Yashica

TLR Review: Yashica D

By TLRgraphy on August 13, 2012 | 3 Comments

AE Pearson posted a good review on Yashica D. I agree that the differences of the Yashikor lens and Yashinon lens is not significant… based on my personal experience. (I have 4 copies of Yashica D, 2 with Yashikor lens and 2 with Yashinon lens.)

Yashica D TLR Review – The BEST Budget Medium Format Camera Ever Made!

As with many photographers, I myself am a bit of a HUGE photography equipment nerd. It’s hard not to be honestly. There are so many incredibly cool cameras, think about some of the factors that contribute to the diversity for a second:

150 years or so of research and development
Varying film formats (a variety of small, medium, and large formats)
Consumer taste
Manufacturing and materials trends and developments
Competition!

Being a photographer, I have the fortunate disposition of being in a field where the tools of my trade are often bona-fide antiques. For a guy that spends weekends wandering through thrift shops and antique stores, it’s a blessing. I mean, not only are some of the older cameras I’ve owned absolutely gorgeous pieces of mechanical beauty – but they TAKE FREAKIN’ PICTURES. Yes, that’s right, even my 100 year old folder camera my aunt gave me takes pictures. After all this time – they are still relevant tools of the trade.

Ah. Mazing.

With all that said, I have owned/use a LARGE variety of cameras. Whether it be 16mm, 35mm, Medium Format, or Large Format – I’m on a perpetual search for the “perfect camera”.

The *right* camera isn’t always affordable – but then comes the Yashica D. This camera is, in my opinion, one of the best all-around medium format cameras on the market. It’s not a Hasselblad, or a Rollei…but it’s also something you can find ALL DAY LONG for well under $100. This one, in the incredible condition it’s in, set me back $81. If you are reading this you probably are aware of the current used prices these days of quality medium format cameras, and you are probably picking your jaw up off the ground right now too ($81?!?!).Why do I love it, and why should you go buy one RIGHT NOW?

The fit is near perfect. The layout of the winding knob, focus knob, shutter speed and aperture dials, shutter cocking lever, and shutter release button are all in just the right spot to be used without confusion and, after getting used to it, without even looking. This, to me, is HUGELY important.
Sharp optics. Apparently there are two different versions of the 80mm f/3.5 lens that comes with this camera. Yashikor and Yashinon (I think?). If you care about the “expert” reviews on the internet about these two lenses, you’d probably be convinced that the Yashikor is worthless and not sharp. And, you would be wrong. If I can say one thing about reading camera reviews online it’s that they are mostly based on rumor and not actual experience. Take everything you read with a grain of salt.
The “feel”. This camera just feels right. When you are holding it, its hard to ignore the voice in your head that tells you to grab a handful of film and get to shooting. Seriously.
Ease of use. There is no bulky and unreliable meter built into this camera. All you need is a handheld meter or the good ol’ Sunny 16 rule. This camera is just plain simple. Everything about it just WORKS.
Design. It’s beautiful, isn’t it? And, man, this thing is SOLID. Compared to the Yashica Mat 124G (of which I’ve owned a few), even though it’s essentially the same camera, it just feels much more solid and well thought out. Also, the lens is fixed and not interchangeable – to some this is a negative attribute, to me, this is more of a reason to buy one. Keep it simple.
The price. Very affordable.

So kids, if you are in love with medium format – or just getting started – I HIGHLY recommend this camera for you. You will not be disappointed.If you are looking for more technical resources regarding this camera, please take a moment to check these links out:

http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Yashica-D

http://mattdentonphoto.com/cameras/yashica_d.html

http://www.butkus.org/chinon/yashica/yashica_d/yashica_d.htm

Posted in: Yashica | Tagged: Japan, review, TLR review, Twin Lens Reflex, Yashica D, yashica tlr

TLR Review: The Unique Yashica 635

By TLRgraphy on August 10, 2012 | Leave a comment

Yashica 635
by Kar Yan Mak

In 1958, Yashica manufactured a one and only dual format TLR, the Yashica 635. It takes 6×6 on 120 rollfilm and 24x36mm on 35mm film (with a special adapter kit). It has a Copal MVX shutter and a Yashikor 80mm f/3.5 lens. The 635 looks similar to the Yashica D, except for the additional knobs for 35mm film operation.

The 35mm adapter kit consists of six items: 35mm sportsfinder mask, mask assembly, pressure plate, spool, adapter ring, and supporter shaft. For 35mm framing, a mask goes on the sportsfinder and red line marks are shown in the viewfinder. There are seperate frame counters for 120 and 35mm films. The counter for 120 film is above the focusing knob and for 35mm, it surrounds the 35mm film advancing knob (where marked “35mm Film Only”). I’ve heard mixed opinions about the 35mm kit. Some say it’s a waste of time due to the mediocre quality and the all vertical shots but some are paying way over $40 for the kit only. MY opinion is, how many cameras out there have dual formats? I will cherish this camera. I have yet to find out the results from 35mm film, if I do I’ll keep you posted.

I’ve heard that the 635 also came with a version that has a Yashinon lens (see below). It’s supposedly superior to the Yashikor due to the 3-element glass versus the Yashinon’s 4-element. Many people are going after the Yashica 124G, which I also happen to own, because of the Yashinon lens and a couple of interesting features. The 124G is the last of the Yashica TLR line. You ask, how do the 124G and 635 compare? For starters, I doubt you could tell the difference between a 635 and 124G’s quality. The pluses of a 124G are the crank handle advance which automatically charges the shutter for the next frame, the built-in coupled meter, and being able to use a standard cable release. The 635 requires a special adapter (called the Leica nipple) for cable releases.