Yashica-Tomioka Macro Lens

June 12, 2023June 12, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

This beautiful lens is now available in my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com – Chris

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).

003 Macro Yashinon 60mm f/ 2.8 lens built by Tomioka Optical for…

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Yashica-Tomioka Brothers

June 11, 2023June 14, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Same lens. On the left is the specially made all-black Auto Yashinon 5cm f/2 lens for Yashica’s first black SLR the J-3. On the right is a Tominon C. 5cm f/2 lens specifically for the Wards SLR 500 and 600 cameras from 1964 and 1965. Both cameras were made by Yashica. The lens was only produced for use on the Wards branded cameras and was produced in rather limited numbers. Of course, Yashica had a close business relationship with Tomioka Optical throughout the 1950s and 1960s (as did other camera manufacturers) finally acquiring it in 1968.

Beautifully sharp lenses from the early 1960s. Thanks, Yashica and Tomioka.

The all-black J-3 just doesn’t look right with the silver aluminum lens barrel.

The Yashica certainly looks elegant compared to its Tomioka brother.

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.

Black Beauty from Yashica

May 24, 2023May 24, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

The Yashica J-3 was the first numbered model of the ‘J’ Series of cameras and was released in late 1962. The black version was never mentioned in any brochure that I own or have seen either in English or Japanese. A small number were made but finding a mint and working model is quite difficult – but worth the chase!

J-3 in all black and classic silvered chrome.

Studio Camera – Fujifilm X-T2

Lens – Yashica Auto Yashinon 5cm f/2 (the original lens for the J-3)

Adapter – FotodioX M42-FX

Film Simulation – (Top) Acros, (Bottom) Velvia Vivid

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

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 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

Yashima Flex – 1954

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

Before they were known as Yashica they were Yashima and this is one of the first cameras to feature their original name. This is one of the nicest TLRs in my collection and I was thrilled to find it many years ago on an auction site in Japan. The original lenses were marked Tomioka Tri-Lausar and later just Yashinon. Tomioka Optical eventually became part of the Yashica Company.

This is an incredibly difficult camera to find for sale anywhere but a few do show up from time to time. Your best bet is to keep an eye out for one on Buyee (Yahoo Japan Auction) in Japan. Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

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

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

Yashica cameras and so much more!

Category Tomioka Lenses

Yashica-Tomioka Macro Lens

Yashica-Tomioka Brothers

Black Beauty from Yashica

Yashica’s Yashikor f/2.8 5cm Gem

Yashica Tominon Lens – a hard one to chase

Yashima Flex – 1954