The Yashicaflex Rookie or more simply the Rookie, was released in early 1956 and was destined for the domestic market only. There is some evidence that it may have been initially designed as a super inexpensive camera that would be sold worldwide (mostly because of the name and the fact that the presentation box has ‘for Jr.’ on it which would have little or no meaning inside Japan). The camera was in fact only available in Japan and all of the literature is in Japanese with no English ads found.

Back to the case or as they are often referred to as an ever ready case. The marks on the bottom of the leather case have a very distinct K.K in a box design (image 1 below). We believe that in the early days of Yashima-Yashica that they did not have they capability to produce their own leather goods. Nothing we have proves that theory but it’s just a hunch on our part. We believe that this mark and other marks similar to it are the trademarks or makers marks of the leather goods company that provided them to Yashica. During this same time period Japanese tin toy makers had similar marks on them and the coincidence is not all that coincidental.

As Yashica grew it is possible that they did in fact take over the manufacturing of leather goods in their factory in Suwa as the cases of the early 1960s rarely if ever had these trademarks.

As we find others we’ll be sure to share them here.

Comments? Please feel free to add them as you see fit.

Many thanks… C&C

 

One of our favorite lenses in the Yashica family. A rather fast f/ 2.8 60mm macro lens made by Tomioka Optical Co., Ltd. of Tokyo for Yashica. 5 elements in 4 groups… it’s capable of life-size (1:1) macro photography. As Yashica describes this lens… “By far the most effective lens for close-ups, copying and macrophotography, as well as general photographic work. Features a new optical glass element, and is fully compensated for all aberrations. Designed to ensure maximum brightness and extremely sharp results. Particularly effective for close-ups of moving subjects (??) and macrophotography without using bellows.” Not sure about the moving subjects part as the depth of field is very shallow.

Weighs in at around 400 grams and can focus down to 0.235 meters. Filter size is 58mm and of course it has the versatile M42 screw-in mount (Praktica).

The Yashicaflex Rookie holds a rather unique position among the Yashima-Yashica line-up of twin-lens reflex (TLR) cameras during the decade of the 1950s. As discussed elsewhere here in our blog, Yashima-Yashica sold more TLRs during the 1950s than any other manufacturer in the world, Japan and Germany included.

The Yashica Rookie as it is more commonly known, was designed (we think) for purchase only within the domestic market of Japan. The focusing scale is in meters… not feet and meters as most export models were. There is plenty of advertising associated with it in 1956 and 1957 but everything we’ve seen is in Japanese including the instruction booklet. The price was an attractive ¥6,800… with leather case and lens cap included!

Rookies are not commonly found outside of Japan but are rather common on Japanese auction sites (1-3 per month). Due to the often harsh climate across Japan (hot, humid summers and brutally cold winters) and lack of modern climate controlled living spaces, many Rookies suffer from corrosion, mold, lens fungus and leatherette peeling to be blunt. Finding one that works and does not have these issues is a challenge.

Lots of stuff about this unique Yashica. Many thanks for your visit and feel free to ask questions or correct us if we are incorrect. Chris & Carol

Another of what we call the ‘littles’ that make collecting fun for us. Yashica-Yashima dual named item from around 1958. Shortly after this one was made most of the new silica gel packs used the new Yashica Co., Ltd. name on everything.

Some time ago we purchased (through auction) what was listed as a rare black body Yashica J-5. The camera was sold by a well known camera dealer with a long ‘track record’ of prior excellent sales. We know from our research and hands-on experience that Yashica’s first ‘Pro-Black’ 35mm SLR was the J-3 as we own two of them and have sold others that were in our collection.

I (Chris) knew that there was about a 99% chance that this J-5 was faked and I don’t have a problem with buying modified or restored cameras as long as it is disclosed as such. But I took a chance on this one even though there were numerous red flags about its originality. The bidding was through an online auction site in another country and my desire to own this ‘rare’ camera got the best of me. My purchase bid went for much more than a typical J-5 should go for and I actually paid more for it (not including the over-the-top shipping fees) than one would pay for a genuine Pro-Black body (from the Yashica factory) J-3.

After looking at my new fake for some two years now, I’ve decided to remove the still fresh black enamel paint and reveal the satin chrome body underneath its black mask.

At this point the camera will get what I call an ‘interpretive restoration’ and will be reassembled in a way fitting a mid 1960s Yashica classic.

So lesson learned for me… only trust in what you know exists… if it’s not documented elsewhere as existing then it’s been faked. But, and it’s a big but (pardon the pun), Yashica has never mentioned that they made a black body J-3 in 1963. I know they exist from the factory as I’ve studied it extensively and know they are real.

Watch as we reimagine this camera and give it a new life!

Many thanks, Chris and Carol