Yashica-A camera
Jan 1, 2020 11:15:55 #
Bear2
Loc: Southeast,, MI
Just gifted the above camera; cleaned, polished, and pretty much figured out how to use it.
Seams like it will work OK. Going to buy some 120 film and give it a try.
Can anyone on hear fill me in on it’s operation and value?
Thanks in advance
Duane
Seams like it will work OK. Going to buy some 120 film and give it a try.
Can anyone on hear fill me in on it’s operation and value?
Thanks in advance
Duane
Jan 1, 2020 11:27:05 #
The Yashica A camera was a 60's low end model of the twin lens series. I had a 3 element lens I'd advise using at F11 when possible. Results can be surprisingly good. The D model was next and there were two different lenses sold on it, the 3 element Yashikor and the better 4 element Yashinon. I personally love the cameras! I sold a mint D model with the 4 element lens recently for $100 because I don't shoot film anymore. The latest G models can go for $250 and more.
Jan 1, 2020 11:31:55 #
Consider the Yashica A was sold in 1960 for $29 so if you take account of inflation it's $250. If it can be sold for $100 then it holds its value extremely well.
Jan 1, 2020 17:43:17 #
Bear2 wrote:
Can anyone on hear fill me in on it’s operation and value?
Here you can download a copy of the manual:
http://www.butkus.org/chinon/yashica/yashica_a/yashica_a-splash.htm
Unless you are planning to sell it, its market value isn't really that important. The camera's true value is measured by the pleasure you get from it. At least that's how I look upon my old cameras.
Jan 1, 2020 18:14:00 #
I remember my Yashica well as a young newspaper photographer in Eureka, Californian in the very early 1960's. Actually I didn't remember the model for sure, but it would have in 1961 0r 62. we had a severe weather front and I went to the Eureka Marina to make photos in a 70 mm windstorm. I walked backwards setting the camera and turned to make the photo. I was instantly soaked by the rainstorm as was the camera. I did not get a photo. I went home at the end of my shift and put the camera in our oven, set at 150 degrees and dried it out. It was working the next day.
Thank you for being back memories.
Thank you for being back memories.
Jan 1, 2020 19:30:42 #
Very reliable, since everything is
operated separately, IOW the film
winder does NOT arm the shutter
and IIRC [IF ! !] it has no double
exposure prevention. Maybe even
plain red-widow film winding. But
it all means mechanical simplicity.
OTOH it was built to simple to sell
cheap, and is not "over built" so it
should be treated with reasonable
care. It's not a Rollei, don't use it
to chock your tires !
Optics are cheap as well. Lens has
"character". Close down a stop or
two and don't worry about it. The
post advising "only f/11" is really
excessive ... unless you're trying
to make very large prints showing
sharp tiny details over the whole
frame. Avoid such boring imagery
and you will have no problems.
operated separately, IOW the film
winder does NOT arm the shutter
and IIRC [IF ! !] it has no double
exposure prevention. Maybe even
plain red-widow film winding. But
it all means mechanical simplicity.
OTOH it was built to simple to sell
cheap, and is not "over built" so it
should be treated with reasonable
care. It's not a Rollei, don't use it
to chock your tires !
Optics are cheap as well. Lens has
"character". Close down a stop or
two and don't worry about it. The
post advising "only f/11" is really
excessive ... unless you're trying
to make very large prints showing
sharp tiny details over the whole
frame. Avoid such boring imagery
and you will have no problems.
Jan 2, 2020 00:36:38 #
Thank you. At the same time I bought my 2/1/4 Yashica, I bought a Yashica 44 for my Dad as a Christmas present. It took 126 film which I think has been long discontinued. I think I paid about $25 each, which was a lot of money considering my salary was $1.25 an hour. Our publisher had us work seven hours a day so we got six seven hour shifts with two hours being overtime. I will always treasure those years which helped me in a career that has lasted 60 years.
I eventually traded my Yashica in on a Mamiya C1 which had inter changeable lenses. I would enjoy knowing about the history of these Mamiya cameras as well.
I apologize if this goes off track, but it means a lot to me.
I eventually traded my Yashica in on a Mamiya C1 which had inter changeable lenses. I would enjoy knowing about the history of these Mamiya cameras as well.
I apologize if this goes off track, but it means a lot to me.
Jan 2, 2020 06:55:15 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Bear2 wrote:
Just gifted the above camera; cleaned, polished, and pretty much figured out how to use it.
Seams like it will work OK. Going to buy some 120 film and give it a try.
Can anyone on hear fill me in on it’s operation and value?
Thanks in advance
Duane
Seams like it will work OK. Going to buy some 120 film and give it a try.
Can anyone on hear fill me in on it’s operation and value?
Thanks in advance
Duane
Go to ebay, list your camera, then look down the left margin and find "sold for", click it and you will find what that camera is actually selling for.
Jan 2, 2020 06:56:43 #
Seabastes wrote:
. . .I bought a Yashica 44 for my Dad as a Christmas present. It took 126 film which I think has been long gone. . .
The yashica 44 took 127 roll film.
I believe Freestyle photo is selling new color and black and white film in 127 rolls.
Rerachrome 100 speed E-6 process slide film and Rerapan 400 speed black and white film
https://www.freestylephoto.biz/400127-ReraChrome-100-ISO-E6-Slide-Film-127-Size
Jan 2, 2020 09:37:48 #
Jan 2, 2020 09:39:42 #
Bear2
Loc: Southeast,, MI
billnikon wrote:
Go to ebay, list your camera, then look down the left margin and find "sold for", click it and you will find what that camera is actually selling for.
Thank you,but not interested in selling. But it will be the anchor of my collection.
Duane
Jan 2, 2020 10:14:28 #
I had the 124? It took a good negative, but was not quite as smooth as a Rollei when advancing film. It was my first twin-lens, but certainly not last. I eventually got the 44, but never really used it. Over many moves, it disappeared. I still have a “baby” Rollei with the 35 mm adapter and a full size Rollei. These all were great instruments. I was once told the full-size Rollei had 26 moving parts between the shutter and shutter release. This would certainly explain why they were soooo smooth. Anyone out there know enough to confirm or dispute that bit of trivia(l) knowledge?
Once in a great while the Rollei goes with me, leather case and all.
Once in a great while the Rollei goes with me, leather case and all.
Jan 2, 2020 10:44:53 #
Jan 2, 2020 10:52:49 #
StanMac
Loc: Tennessee
Yashica TLRs are a well thought of MF camera and prices reflect that. On eBay the sold listings I scanned through ranged from $39 to $209. I have seen the newer versions of the Yashica TLRs ranging upwards from $200 depending on condition. My own Yashica Mat, bought used in the late 60s, had to be around $40 - $60 or I couldn’t have afforded it, being a struggling college student and working at the time. It’s still working well with a roll of B&W working through it. It’s well overdue for a CLA, though.
Stan
Stan
Jan 2, 2020 11:18:41 #
I used a 124g with 120 and 220 film thru most of the 1970s, along with Pentax 35mm SLR. The 124 was terrific. Loaned it to an astronomer friend, who died suddenly. Realized a year later that I never got the camera back. Sigh. And sigh.
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