Re: Yashica Leather and FAQ

[Gary Schloss <schloss@datadepot.com>]

Cees de Groot wrote:

>Just bought, for US$60, an FX3, 50/2ML and 135/2.8ML
>FX-3 is ok mechanically, but the top layer of the leather on the
>body is almost gone. any hints?

Try to contact your local Kyocera service outlet. Based on my
experience with the US West Coast service center here in LA,
they'll give you a new leather set for free, and if the
replacement process is a bit tricky (e.g. on a Contax 137MA),
and they're not too busy, they will even do it for you on the
spot.


>From: Cees de Groot <cg@pobox.com>
>Subject: Yashica FAQ
>
>What follows is the current version of the Yashica SLR FAQ, any
>additions are welcome.
>

>  Yashica has been making 35mm cameras for a long time; the current line
>  started with the introduction in the 70's of the Yashica/Contax mount
>  (which we'll call the Y/C mount from now on) that is still in use.
>  Older cameras are probably just collectors items by now, but I'd like
>  to be filled in here.

Before switching to the Y/C bayonet mount, Yashica made a fairly
extensive line of screw-mount SLRs (TL Electro?) with a full
complement of Yashinon interchangeable lenses.

Furthermore, from early 60's and untill mid-80's Yashica designed
and manufactured an extensive snd highly successful line of 35mm
full-frame (and half-frame?) rangefinders.

(I only have sketchy knowledge on the above.)

>  2.  What Yashica 35mm SLR bodies are available?
>
>  All Yashica bodies are manual focus.

Actually, there are AF bodies (200-AF, 230-AF, 200-AF), and a small
set of AF lenses. The mount is unique to Yashica, and, AFAIK, no one
else supports it. It's also incompatible with the Y/C mount.

>  This list is probably incomplete,
>  and I can only describe the FR-1 because that's the body I own. Please
>  fill me in here.
>
>
>  2.1.  FR-1
>
>  A body with an electronic shutter and TTL metering put onto the market
>  together with the Contax RTS, with which it can share most accesories.
>  It's a very simple classic body, with an aperture-priority mode and
>  manual modes with shutter speeds from 1/1000th to 1 second and bulb.
>  Exposure compensation is possible +2 to -2 in full steps, film
>  sensitivity can be set from 12 to 3200 ASA. The front of the body
>  sports a flash connector, the self-timer and a depth-of-field preview
>  button. The rear has a button to activate the meter, which can be
>  locked by the film winding lever. Next to the meter is the socket for
>  the remote control cord. The 92% viewfinder shows diafragm, metered
>  shutter speed and a manual mode indicator. You can attach an FR winder
>  to the bottom and replace the back with a databack.
>
>
>  2.2.  FR-2
>
>  I once held one briefly, and it looked to me as an FR-1 with some
>  cosmetic changes. Anyone out there who knows the differences?

AFAIK, the FR-II is identical to FR-I but has no manual exposure mode.
The is also a body named FR. It's identical to FR-I, but has no
aperture priority autoexposure, or exposure compensation. Dunno whether
either of these two is available in black body.

>  2.3.  FX-3
>
>  A fully mechanical body with a simple metering system. I have never
>  seen a more basic body:

Take a look at Pentax K1000 :-)

>  you can set shutter time and film speed, there
>  is a button to switch on the TTL meter, a film wind lever, the shutter
>  release, a timer lever, and a lens unlock button. That's all there is.
>  Nice points: it's very compact and light-weight, you have mirror lock-
>  up with the timer, and it doesn't need batteries to operate.

Also has split-image focusing, hot shoe, vertical metallic shutter,
flash sync at 1/125 sec., LED metering (good for night photography),
etc.

Btw, there were also FX-1 and FX-2, which had all-metal construction.
(The FX-3 is largely plastic).

>  2.4.  FX-3 Super 2000
>
>  Current version of the FX-3. Differences?

Adds 1/2000 top shutter speed, flash ready display in VF, and built-in
hand grip.

There is also the FX-D, FX-70, FX-103 Program, 107MP and 108MP.
I believe the FX-103 Program was the first to introduce TTL flash
automation and Program Mode in the Yashica line.

>  2.5.  109MP
>
>  A body with a built-in motorwinder. I assume that this is supposed to
>  be the replacement for the FR line?
>
>
>  Question: what about macro lenses?

There are a 55/f2.8 macro and a 100/f3.5 macro. Both ML.

>  3.2.  Wide-angle
>
>     28/2.8 DSB
>        I bought mine second-hand for around US$70. It seems quite
>        sharp, and the photographer I bought it from agrees with me:
>        before he had made the investment in a Zeiss 28mm, he used it
>        for wedding stuff on his Contax and found the results quite
>        satisfactory.
>
>  I think there are more wide angle lenses. Which ones?

35/f2.8 ML, 28/f2.8 ML, 24/f2.8 ML, 21/f3.5 ML, and 15/f2.8 ML fisheye.

>  3.3.  Normal
>
>     50/2.0 ML
>        Basic 50mm glass. I have one, but never use it.
>
>
>     50/1.9 ML
>        I have one as a backup, but I don't use it much so I can't tell
>        anything about it.
>
>
>     50/1.7 ML
>        Mine looks busted, because I had to take it apart in order to
>        clean the aperture blades and had to damages a couple of screws
>        in the process. At least this inside look left me with a good
>        impression of the lens innards - I couldn't discover any
>        significant parts in plastic, everything was metal. I can't
>        complain about its sharpness, I think it is a very fine lens.
>
>     50/1.4 ML

An excellent lens: optically, it rivals the Zeiss T* 50/f1.4.
There is also a fast 55/f1.2 ML.

>  3.4.  Moderate telephoto
>
>     135/2.8 ML
>
>  Is there a shorter telephoto as well, say 90mm?

Nope. If you do portraits, you must buy a Zeiss lens (there are
2 or 3 different ones at 85mm and 100mm, as well as a fast 135/f2)

>  3.5.  Telephoto
>
>
>     200/4 ML
>        A nice piece of glass. It's not very big, it feels rugged, and I
>        think the lens is quite sharp. I've made great hand-held shots
>        wide-open, which look sharp and show a very pleasing ``bokeh''
>        (bokeh is how the out-of-focus stuff looks like, in short). As
>        usual, it is dead cheap.


>  I've heard of a 300/5.6 and a 500/8 (mirror). Am I correct?

Yup, you are. There is also a 1000/f11 mirror lens, as well as a
good number of ML zooms.

Cheers,


/Gary Schloss.
Studio City, CA
schloss@datadepot.com