Tag TLR Twin-lens Reflex

Happy SUNday! – Have you been flashed lately?

Chris and Carol Leave a comment

It’s easy to forget that at one time getting the right amount of light on your subject was no easy task…

Every one of us with a smartphone carries around a powerful “photo machine” in our pockets or purses. Not that long ago, well really a long time ago now when you think about it, these monsters were the epitome of high tech flash units and cameras in the 1950s and 1960s.

23804633236_80f738fa68_o (1)

Yashica Mat EM – 1964

Pictured above are a fully functional Yashica-Mat EM and Yashica PRO 40 Quick-Lite electronic flash. This was “as-simple-as-it-gets” with a medium format camera in that era. The EM has a built-in exposure meter (not a thru-the-lens type) and the PRO 40 was a straight forward light machine. Both units together with the 8 AA batteries and a roll of 120 film weigh in at nearly 4 pounds! Yikes!

25051924236_c8965f9d22_o

A close-up view of the exposure meter and scales on the Yashica Mat EM.

Going even further back in time, this Yashica Flex S is mated with a Minicam flash unit.

16663440081_0346b92713_o (1)

Yashica Flex S – 1956 with Minicam flash. Powered by two “D” cell batteries.

The Yashica Flex model S also has a built-in selenium cell light meter made by Sekonic (that little thingy attached to the side of the camera). The cells are located behind the nameplate flap which can be opened to gather more light in low-light situations.

15277870608_de84055002_o

The attached light meter made by Sekonic for Yashica. Here pictured on a Yashica AS-II camera.

The Minicam flash advertised itself as “sunlight at night”! If you can remember back to the days that these types of flash units were used you can agree – they did make “sunlight at night” as you were often blinded for quite some time afterward.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com for some great vintage cameras and photo gear. – Chris

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris.

Copyright © 2015-2019 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.

 

The Yashica 44 – A ‘Tiny’ TLR

Chris and Carol Leave a comment
20830555308_a047bc78f0_o (1)

The 44 uses 127 roll film

Yashica-44

The easier to handle Yashica 44 TLR (4×4 cm negatives and slides vice 6×6 cm) from early 1959 or so. The leatherette is “dove gray” while the metalwork is “machinery gray”. Yashica made these in about 8 different colors if you count black as a color. From the look of this sales brochure, the 44 was designed with women in mind as an alternative to the bulky and unstylish 66 models that were in use. Many of the Japanese ads from that period feature stylish modern women posing with their new cameras.

This camera has managed to travel to the present in a rather nice condition and the original light gray leather case is intact as is the original box. Many thanks to the good people at the factory in Shimosuwa for their good design and quality construction.

21117834383_1441135bb0_o

A sales brochure from 1959

20428738912_4e404b5094_o (1)

The 44’s colorful original box hints at the wide variety of colors available (although not quite these colors).

Yashica also made the 44 LM which featured a built-in exposure meter (light meter) which you can read about here.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Chris

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris.

Copyright © 2015-2019 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.

In the Shop – Fabulous Yashica D Set

Chris and Carol 2 Comments

In the shop today we’re offering this beautiful Yashica D twin-lens reflex set – complete as if it left the factory yesterday! A true time machine that’s in full working condition (tested) featuring crystal clear Yashikor (made by Tomioka) lenses. This wonderful set is available here first – it’s not available in the shop yet.

Payment button at the end of the post. I’ll mail this set anywhere in the US for free! That includes full insurance and tracking. I’ll ship worldwide with some exceptions. Please message me for a quote first.

What’s included –

DSCF9414

The Yashica D camera (1965 model), the original presentation box and the outer shipping box, the instruction booklet, the Yashica lens cap, all guarantee papers as well as the camera dealer’s customs forms, the inner packing material including the very hard to find plastic bag, a silica gel pack, and of course the Yashica brown leather camera case.

DSCF9421

DSCF9425

DSCF9422

The camera is a joy to use and unlike other more complicated medium-format cameras this one is “fall down” easy to shoot with. It features a simple to use knob for advancing the 120 film (12 exposures – 6x6cm), easy shutter cocking, and clear accurate focusing. The aperture and shutter speed is changed by the two thumbwheels on the front of the camera and the settings are visible from above in an easy to see window. This camera is perfect for the discriminating collector and/or the active photographer who enjoys using a vintage camera (54 years and counting). It does have a few small marks in the paint, some dust visible inside the viewing hood but absolutely no corrosion, no lifting of the leatherette and no issues with the optics. The presentation box does have one small tear in the cardboard and the lid is a bit discolored (see pic below).

DSCF9427

DSCF9423

DSCF9420

The camera and lens serial numbers match the box and the guarantee papers. The set was purchased in England in the summer of 1967.

DSCF9426

Don’t miss out on this rare opportunity to own such a beautiful (and complete) set of this classic from Yashica.

Yashica D Complete Camera Set

Classic Yashica D twin-lens reflex camera set in nearly new condition. The set includes the camera, case, lens cap, the inner and outer boxes, all papers and the instruction booklet, and all of the factory packing materials. The camera is fully functional, the lenses are crystal clear, and the set is complete right down to the matching serial numbers. Shipping in the US is free. Shipping worldwide with some exceptions - please message me first. Thanks, Chris

$395.00

New reflex mirror in my Rolleicord Ia Type 3 from 1938

Chris and Carol Leave a comment

After 80 years of use, the original mirror had lost most of its reflectivity and the view available in the viewing hood was greatly diminished.

I ordered a replacement mirror from hugostudio.com and I couldn’t be happier with the service and the quality of the product.

20181108_133058 logo

With the viewing hood and focusing screen removed the view internally shows an abundance of the dirt and grime from 80 years of use. It’s pretty nasty in there!

There are only 4 screws to remove to be able to access the mirror chamber. The mirror essentially slides out from the 4 tabs that hold it in.

20181122_132759 logo

Old and new mirrors side-by-side.

20181122_132816

The mirror chamber with the original mirror removed. A quick dusting and it was ready for the new mirror installation.

collage mirror

Before and after. What a difference the new mirror makes.

I highly recommend that you change out the original reflex mirror in your TLR if it shows signs of significant deterioration – the view in the focusing hood will be made much brighter and that will lead to more accurate focusing on your part. Most mirrors can be had for around $10 and there are a few sellers on eBay to choose from. The key is the accuracy of the cut as there’s little room for error. If in doubt trace the outline of the mirror that you are replacing and send that (or just the measurements) to the seller.

DSCF8321 logo

Thanks for stopping by and good luck with your project! – Chris

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris.

Copyright © 2015-2018 Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.

Yashica LM -1956

Chris and Carol 1 Comment

Made by Yashima Optical – my first model LM

yashica lm first logo

This Yashica LM was the first camera that I posted on my Flickr site back in December 2013

yashica lm first 1 logo

The selenium cells were hidden under the nameplate – it was a highly accurate light meter

Yashica LM twin-lens reflex (TLR) 6×6 cm medium format film camera. This is one of my most favorite TLRs from Yashica. It features a built-in light meter (LM) and sharp Tomioka made lenses.

These two images were the first two that I posted on my Flickr site back in 2013. I was fond of using two different backgrounds – a dark blue (pictured above) and a softer light blue. I use a stark white background now but I’m getting a bit tired of it. I may go back to using a light blue (see below).

yashica sb logo

Thanks for stopping by! BTW, my Flickr site can be found here 

Chris

Happy SUNday! – Vintage Cameras –

Chris and Carol Leave a comment
yashicaflex rookie set

Yashicaflex Rookie 1956

All of our ‘Rookie Stuff’ together for this display. As a Japanese domestic market only camera, the Rookie is a rather unique find outside of Japan.

Wonderfully fun camera to use… always gets strange looks whenever it’s out and about.

yashica a and rookie

1959 gray Yashica-A and 1956 Yashicaflex Rookie. Two wonderfully simple twin-lens reflex (TLR) cameras from Yashima-Yashica. These two have held up very nicely over these many years.

Probably one of the oddest names for a camera from Yashica (and they’ve had a bunch). If we use our western definition of the word “rookie” it would appear that Yashica was naming a simple to use camera that first-time photographers would be comfortable with. The Rookie was not available outside of Japan.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to see what we’ve added to our online store at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Chris