Yashica 12 Twin Lens Reflex
Photo thanks to Gary Dicker -
[email protected]
Related Links:
Yashica E by Karl Bryan
(see his TLR Collection Pages)
Twin Lens Reflex Cameras
*Yashica 44 Twin Lens Reflex Camera (4x4cm 127 film)
*YashicaFlex TLR
YashicaMat 124G TLR (J. Harper, manual etc.)
Yashicamat and Yashicamat 124G Pages (Berry De Bruijn) [8/9/99]
Lens Quality - Yashicamat 124G vs. Mamiya 645 vs Nikon 35mm
Partial History of Yashica TLRs
New Yashica TLR FAQ by Peter Williams'
[Editor's Note:
I was thrilled to get this resource courtesy of Doug
Pibel when we discovered that existing web copies had been dropped or
lost... - Thanks, Doug!!]
==========================================================================
Subject: Re: Yashicas
From: [email protected] (Christopher G Mullin)
Date: 1996/02/29
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Without benefit of reference books, here goes with a list of Yashica 6x6
TLR models. Please correct my mistakes --Chris
Yashica A-- the basic cheapie--once sold for
$29.95 list-- 3 element lens,
no bayonet fittings, knob wind, 1/25-1/300-- for any semi-serious use,
get another model.
Yashica C--Uncommon autoexposure model with
meter cell around taking
lens-- not sure, but I think the only shutter speed was 1/60. Not a user
camera [Ed.note: not autoexposure, no selenium cell either, per posters at
Yashica C site]
Yashica D--The same 4-element lens, type 1
Rollei bayonet filter mounts,
and 1-1/500 shutter as on Yashica-Mats. Knob wind, not crank. Less
convenient to use than the 'Mats but should make the same quality of
pictures.
Yashica 635--A model D with a 35mm adapter
kit. A vertical format
80mm shot on 35mm film is actually pretty good for 1/2 length portraits.
Yashica-Mat. I'm told a few of the earliest examples had 3-element
lenses, but all the ones I've seen have 4-element Yashinon lenses (Tessar
formula). This is the same lens used on the D, the 635, and all later
models. The Yashica-Mat is basically a Rollei copy, with a few of the
more expensive features left out, but the ergonometrics left in. It
actually appeared before the Model D and the 635, and I've heard that
Rollei wanted to sue because the design was so close (don't know if
that's really true, though) Crank wind, combined film wind-shutter cock,
Rollei bayonet 1 mount for filters. Until I owned a Rollei, I thought
there was little difference between this and a meterless Rollei. I was
wrong. If you've owned both, you know-- there **is** a difference. But
between the Yashica-Mat and the Rolleis with 3.5 Tessar or Xenar lenses,
IMHO the difference is mostly in build quality and the neat little
details, not in optical quality. Somebody moving up from 35mm should get
better pictures from a properly adjusted Yashica-Mat than from just about
any 35mm camera (keeping in mind the limitations ot a waist-level finder,
fixed f3.5 80mm lens, etc.)
Yashica-Mat LM and Yashica EM
--Same as above with selenium-cell lightmeters, two
different meter designs. Neither one is totally coupled to camera controls.
Yashica 24--The first of the final-generation Yashica TLRs. CdS meter
cross coupled to shutter and aperture for match-needle exposure. And for
220 film *only* --thus rather uncommon.
Yashica 12--Introduced the next year, for 120
film only. Maybe even
less common than the 24, and for most of us a better user camera, since
120 film is available in more emulsions than 220.
Yashica 124-Introduced the year after the 12.
Rotating pressure plate
for both film types. Otherwise the same as the 12 and 24. IMHO the 12,
24, and 124, which are styled more like Rolleis, are the prettiest of
the Yashica TLRs
Yashica 124G--the final model, made for many,
many years until
the dies wore out. Basically an all-black 124 with a few other styling
variations. Goes for more money because it's the newest, but remember
that some of them are over 20 years old now.
Hope all this helps--send corrections by e-mail
Chris [email protected]
GelflingAA ([email protected]) wrote: : What is the difference between a Yashica 124G MAT, a 124, a C, a D, etc. I : saw them listed in B & H's catalog and was curious. : [email protected] : *********************************************************** : "If you plan to give someone a piece of your mind, be sure that you can : get along on what you have left"
(end of original message)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Model Evolution:
Specific Model Notes:
The 2 1/4" x 2 1/4" models are:
Yashica Reflex A
see above notes, Yashikor lens (some earlier models had
Yashimar) f/3.5 80mm three element lens in 4 speed Copal shutter, X flash
synch, non-automatic knob based film transport, with accessory shoe
Yashica Reflex B
similar to A but with aperture and shutter speed set by levers on either
side of the shutter rim
Yashica Reflex C
Adds to Model A - semi-automatic film transport, shutter speeds expanded
to 1 second to
1/300th second with full XM flashy synch, Yashikor f/3.5 80mm lens,
bayonet mount for filters, self-timer, and field lens added to focusing
screen
Yashica Reflex D
Adds to Model C - shutter speeds from 1 second to 1/500th second, after
1972 a four element Yashinon f/3.5 80mm lens was used, and aperture and
speed setting controlled by thumb wheels seen in window above finder
lens
Yashica E
Model D body, selenium cell meter around the lens is automatically coupled
at 1/60th fixed shutter speed, built-in flashgun; lens is Yashinon f/3.5
80mm
Yashica Reflex 635
Adds to Model D - ability to use 35mm film with additional transport knob,
film counter and rewind controls via conversion kit; as with Model D,
after 1972 got four element Yashinon f/3.5 80mm lens
Yashica Mat Reflex
As in general above, but Yashinon f/3.5 80mm lens and f/3.2 finder lens,
shutter speeds 1 second to 1/500th second, self-timer, flash XM synch,
fresnel lens added to screen, fully automatic film transport by lever wind
action, click stops on shutter speed settings, aperture and shutter speed
controlled by thumb wheels and visible in window above finder lens
Yashica Mat LM
As Yashica Mat Reflex above, but added uncoupled built-in selenium cell
meter giving readings in exposure value system
Yashica Mat EM
Replaced LM in late 1964, but meter gives direct readings
(aperture or shutter speed)
Yashica 24
Replaced EM in 1966, 12 on 120 rollfilm or 24 on 220 rollfilm exposures,
built-in battery operated CdS meter using match needle with shutter speed
and aperture; note viewing lens is f/2.8
Yashica Mat 124
Replaced Yashica 24 in 1968, meter switch routed through finder hood,
improved 12/24 film counter, screw-in cable release socket and release
lock, plus expanded film speed range
Yashica Mat 124G
Replaced Yashica Mat 124 in 1972, all black, gold plated electrical
contacts, simplified pressure plate for 120/220 film uses
The Yashica 4x4cm 127 rollfilm models are:
Yashica 44
See above points listing, Yashikor 60mm f/3.5 lens with bayonet mount,
copal shutter (1 second to 1/500th), self-timer, flash sych XM, focusing
screen with magnifier lens, and crank handle for film transport
Yashica 44A
See Model 44 above, non-automatic film transport by wheel knob, shutter
speeds limited to 1/25th to 1/300th second, X synch only, no self-timer,
push-on filter mount (vs. bayonet)
Yashica 44LM
See Model 44 above, Yashinon 60mm f/3.5 lens, uncoupled selenium cell
meter, semi-automatic film transport (film speed scale inside film
transport knob)
Abstracted from Source:
pp. 6-7, 4-5, 59; Yashica TLR Guide by W.D. Emanuel (8th ed.) Focal
Press, New York, NY, 1979.
Related Postings:
see Yashica 124 pages for postings and
above linked pages and sites.
Due to possible interest in optics, I am reposting Mr. Zoccolillo's
interesting post below:
From Rollei List:
Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999
From: Tony Zoccolillo [email protected]
Subject: Re: OT: Yashicas (was...[Rollei] re: non-Rollei: Advice needed)
Actually, it was the early Yashica TLR's that had the 3 element lenses.
The Yashicaflex had a Tri-Lausar lens and the Yashica A, B, C and D's that
had the 3-element Yashikor lens. The D's changed to 4-element Yashinon at
some point in production according to some owners I've spoken with. I
think the Yashica EM and LM had Yashinons and the 635 had a Yashikor. The
early Yashicamats had a Lumaxor (or something like that) lens that
is, I've been told, are 4-element lens but I haven't been able to confirm
it. From then on all Yashicamats had 4-element Yashinons (except maybe the
Yashica E which I have no info on). The 124G was supposed to be better
than the Yashica Mat-124 with the addition of gold plated meter switch
contacts.
I had a 124G as my first TLR and I paid $99 for it. It was a nice camera
capable of good sharpness at f/8, though it was a bit prone to excess
flair in backlight situation. I completely agree with the comparisons to
the Automats...definitely Chevys to Rolls. (I must say, my Monte Carlo has
been a damn good car.)
At the $250 or higher price tags I see, I'd rather own an Automat MX. If
you find an Yashicamat or the Yashica D, 12 or 24 for under $100, it's worth
grabbing. (A TLR I'd really love to get my hands on is the Olympus Flex B
I with a 6-element 75mm f/2.8 Zuiko taking lens....I've yet to see one for
sale.)
regards,
Tony Zoccolillo
Date: Thu, 11 Nov 1999
From: IMI [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Yashica B
Great site by the way I like all of the hard to find info.
I noticed in your Yashica area, you listed Yashica A, C, D.
I have a Yashica B with a 80mm yashicor, COPAL shutter, in pert near
Mint condition.
I never see any info about this model but it takes great photos
Thanks again for a great site, I would like to hear if anyone knows
anythis about this camera. Yashica USA has never heard of it. Strange
eh.
Rich
Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2000
From: Mattei [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: YASHICAFLEX
Only today, 29 January 2000 I purchased a wonderful Yashicaflex unlike the
one on your site. It is not listed in your overview and I wondered if
anyone knew more about it. It is Serial number 31287. The nameplate is
cast metal in a wonderful script which doubles as a perforated cover over
the light meter (still works fine!). The meter scale is from 1-7 in a
somewhat exponential scale which you then transfer to a metal slide-rule
above the meter cell. The metal Yashica badge on the focusing hood is in
the wonderful old-style script as well: it is a silver round badge with
the triangle and "F" character in silver/black enamel. Who knows anything
about this model?
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2000
From: Radimus [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: newbie choosing camera, YashicaMat vs Rolliecords
"David Foy" wrote:
...snip...
> Yashica-Mat cameras have four-element Yashinon lenses (as opposed to > Yashica-non-Mats which almost always have three-element Yashikors) . The > Rolleicord is available with either a Tessar or Xenar lens, both of which > are roughly equivalent to the Yashinon, since they are all variations on the > well-proven Tessar formula, four elements in three groups. Some earlier > Rollei models have the three-element Triotar which is not the best choice > although it can perform well in many situations.
...snip...
The later Yashica D's had Yashinon lenses. They can often be found for
less money than a Mat.
Rad
Date: Thu, 2 Dec 1999
From: "David Foy" [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Number of elements (was Re: YashicaMat - optics.)
I'm not aware of any Yashica TLR's from the era of the 124 and 124-G that
had 3-element lenses. Triplets like the Yashicor, or the Triotar found on
low-end Rolleicords, perform well in ideal conditions but not at wide
apertures. The early Yashicaflexes had triplets, including the truly
wretched Tri-Lausar ("No matter what you Try, your pictures will be Lousy"
is the mnemonic).
The Yashica A, C, early D, and 635 had triplets. The ever-elusive B
apparently had a triplet, which I'd love to verify if I can ever get my
hands on one.
The Yashica-Mat, 12, 24, 124, 124-G and -- I'm told -- some of the
late-model Ds, all had four-element lenses designed according to the very
fine Tessar formula, and they perform as well as other similar lenses. The
earliest, often found on Yashica-Mats, was the Lumaxar, which was later
renamed the Yashinon (perhaps when they started coating them -- I don't
know for sure).
Flare in early lenses is often related to lack of coating, and sometimes
to poor or nonexistent baffling in the film compartment.
A poorly-performing four-element Yashinon lens may be in a shutter that
was inexpertly cleaned and the glass not properly reassembled. Speaking as
someone who has inexpertly reassembled my share of lenses, it's really
easy to mess up an otherwise fine lens. All it takes is a set of
screwdrivers and a little will power.
.....
From: "David Foy" [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Yashica 6x6 advice needed
Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2000
The earliest, and cheapest, Yashica cameras had a three-element lens, the
Tri-Lausar, soon renamed the Yashikor. The mnemonic here is "Try as you
may, the results will be Lousy." That's an exaggeration, but you get the
point. I know many people use it well and get good results, but I do not
consider it suitable for a lifetime of serious photography.
Then they introduced the Lumaxar lens, which is a four-element,
three-group Tessar-pattern lens that gives excellent results. It was
quickly renamed the Yashinon. It gives results indistinguishable from the
German Tessar and Xenar lenses, and I doubt any serious amateur needs a
better lens (although of course better lenses exist and are preferable if
you can afford them).
The classic is the Yashica-Mat (plain vanilla 'Mat), which had the Lumaxar
name on its lens during its earliest years, and the Yashinon later on. It
is unmetered, a shameless and very good knock-off of the lever-wind
Rolleiflex, and a remarkably good camera. Expect to pay around $80-$100 on
eBay.
The later versions included a bright, fresnel view screen and f2.8 viewing
lens, and the resulting ease of focusing makes it by far the best if you
can find one. I consider it superior to a Rolleiflex in the same price
range, which will invariably have a much dimmer focus screen (but a more
robust film transport).
You can also get metered models: the Yashica-Mat LM and EM are lever-wind
cameras with Yashinon lenses and selenium meters, which do not age well.
The Yashica-Mat 12, 24, 124, 124-G (CdS meters), and E also have
Yashinons, but avoid the E since it has a single shutter speed and a
complicated selenium cell aperture control system with no manual override.
The CdS meters accept standard 1.5v button cell, but they measure about
one stop off unless you use a proper 1.35v mercury cell (no longer made),
zinc-air cell (fiddly and short-lived), or CRIS converter (expensive).
The 635 can use 35mm film if you have the converter, but its Yashikor
lenses take it out of the picture for me (although I say again, many
people do excellent work with Yashikors).
The A, C, and early D's have Yashikors and are knob-wind cameras, not
lever-wind. The A is a bare-bones camera, with a ruby window in back so
you advance film by watching frame numbers. The C has more shutter speeds.
The D's are much superior, with better shutters and sturdier construction.
The later D's can have Yashinon lenses and are excellent cameras.
The earliest: YashicaFlex (ca 1952, quite flimsy) and Yashica LM (knob
wind, selenium cell) are like the A and C -- you can use them, but they're
not my choice.
The Model B is virtually unobtainable in North America. It resembles the A
and C, and I would not recommend it for serious work.
....
From: "David Foy" [email protected]> Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format Subject: Re: Yashica 24 Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2002 The 24 *can* be used with 120 film. Most definitely it can. There is a start point marked "120" located in a non-obvious place, just around the corner from the film plane in the supply chamber. I'm not sure about film flatness problems. With a true 220 mechanism (such as the 124-G with the film plane plate correctly rotated), the plate is slightly forward and closer to the lens than with a 120 mechanism. One assumes the difference is the thickness of backing paper. I assume the 24's plate is like that. But I haven't convinced myself it matters in this case. Here is why. The film plane plate is not a "pressure plate" and its function is to help keep film flat and aligned, not to press it against the camera body. The body has two sets of rails. The inner rails are in contact with the film. The outer rails are in contact with the plate. The film actually floats in a channel between the rails and plate -- no pressure is applied. So it's the film rails which maintain correct distance from film plane to lens, not the plate, which keeps the film from moving too far back. My question is whether the paper backing on the 120 makes any difference to image quality. Does a modest amount of pressure from that slightly forward, 220-style plate make any difference due to the film not floating but being slightly clamped? Buckle it slightly, or some risk of buckling maybe? I've never been able to convince myself it degrades images. Others might have different experience. I note with considerable interest Sam Sherman's post on flatness issues only surfacing with very shallow DOF images. In those cases, using 120 in a 24 might be the wrong choice. -- David Foy ============================ http://www.frugalphotographer.com "Thom" [email protected]> wrote... > "Charles Haut" [email protected]> > wrote: > > >I just pulled out my old 1966 Yashica 24 camera. It says for 220 film only > >but think that I used to use 120 film. Is there any problem using 120 film. > > > >Thanks Chuck > a differnt back plate or camera back has to be used because of the > fact 220 has no paper backing and is therefore thinner. I think you > use a different back on a C-33 (I'm way open to correction on that) > but on the mags on my Super-23 Mamiya Press you have to flip over the > pressure plate depending on the film you use. > > It just may be that you are limited to 220. > > THOM
From: "Marc G. Vallieres" [email protected]> Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format Subject: Re: Yashica B Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2001 Here is a bit of data, taken from Peter B. Williams' book "Medium format cameras": Yashica-A: 3-element Yashicor, 1/25 to 1/300 + B and X sync; film advance manual with red window. Yashica-B: similar to Yashica-A Yashica-C: 3-element Yashicor, 1 sec. to 1/300 + B and XM sync; film advance blocks automatically at tirht spacing. Yashica-D: early model: 3-element Yashicor; later model: 4-element Yashinon; 1 sec. to 1/500 + B, XM sync and timer. I have used the -D as well as the -Mat and saw no difference in image quality. I would stay away from the 3-element Yashicor though. Marc "Albert Ma" [email protected]> a Tcrit... > What do people know about the Yashica B TLR? > > (must be between the Yashica A and Yashica C, right?) > > thanks.
From Rollei Mailing List: Date: Fri, 8 Mar 2002 From: "Kotsinadelis, Peter (Peter)" [email protected] Subject: RE: [Rollei] Yashica Jim Hemenway wrote: > Neither my Yashica A or C fell apart or anything like that, > even though I dropped the C on the ice at a hockey game > and on the wooden floor when smashed into at a basketball > game. But my observation is/was that the > optics were not as good as Rollei glass. Ahhhhh. That explains it Jim. Those models had 3-element lenses which I believe were Yashikors. The latter models (D, LM, 124 & 124G) had the far superior 4-element (Tessar copy) Yashinons. The Yashinon was also known as a Luxamor lens on YashicaMat (no number or letters followed the name on this model). There is a big difference between those two lenses just as there is between the Triotar and the Tessar. If you are interested I can send you a link that provides the history of these TLRs? Peter K
From Rollei Mailing List: Date: Fri, 8 Mar 2002 From: [email protected] Subject: Re: Re: [Rollei] Yashica you wrote: >Neither my Yashica A or C fell apart or anything like that, even though >I dropped the C on the ice at a hockey game and on the wooden floor when >smashed into at a basketball game. But my observation is/was that the >optics were not as good as Rollei glass. The A and C models were equipped with Yashikor triplet lenses, inferior to the 4 element Tessar clone Yashinons on the Yashicamat. Those were plenty okay, if you got a good sample. >Occasionally, when covering sports events for my high school, >photographers from some of the Boston newspapers would show up for some >events. I never saw one with a Yashica, this was in the very late 50s. >Could the Yashicas have been much less expensive on the West Coast? Even >then we're talking low prices. I think that my Yashica A cost, (my >father) $23 whilst the Rolleicords of the time were around $120. My observation was in Los Angeles during the early '60s. I don't know what was happening in other parts of the country, although I had the impression that practices in SoCal were not unique. Perhaps things changed in only a few years. OTOH, although press use was widespread, it was not necessarily universal. I even encountered a German photojournalist who used a Yashicamat, said many of his colleagues in the Heimat did so. When I feigned shock and dismay, he explained that his Rollei was in the shop and that this was just backup. Still, it provided good enough for press use. Allen Zak
From: "Albert Ma" [email protected] Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format Subject: Re: does Yashicamat take Bay I size ? Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2002 some early, very early yashica TLRs take no filters. Like the yashica A, B take no filters. "roland.rashleigh-berry" [email protected] wrote > It should do. I think all Yashica TLRs are Bay I. Certainly the Yashicamat. > I hope somebody will correct me if I am wrong.
From: [email protected] (Rabbitbert) Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format Date: 31 Jul 2003 Subject: Re: Information re Yashicaflex Jon told us, with snippage: >I've recently wondered about adapting my 35 mm >Cokin filter system to the taking lens of the Yashica. Maybe once a year I will purchase an issue of Popular Photography, usually the July issue because it contains a listing of available films from the major manufacturers. Last year's (2002) issue which I still happen to have has an article on the Cokin "Digital Filter Holder". It's intended to hold a Cokin A filter in front of digital camera lenses, and the PopPhoto article, page 56, by Dan Richards, indicates how to also use it on film point and shoot cameras. It occurs to me that this filter holder might well work to hold your A series filters in front of the taking lens of your TLR. www.cokin.fr R.
RE: looking for adapter for early yashica TLRs? see Generic Leica/Nikon/Yashica Shutter Release adapters $ 6.50 Ea. from http://www.goodwinphotoinc.com/nikon/nikon.html
From: Kyocera Kid [[email protected]] Sent: Sun 12/28/2003 To: Monaghan, Robert Subject: Yashica Ad 1956 Hi Robert I just spotted this advert on Ebay for 1956 Yashica TLR's. I thought I'd let Yas TLR website owners know. It predates most of the published dates for Yashica A, C and LM TLR's. Hope you find it interesting. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2975206932&category=30037 Cheers and Merry Christmas, Kyocera Kid.
From: Kyocera Kid [[email protected]] Sent: Tue 12/30/2003 To: Monaghan, Robert Subject: Re: Yashica Ad 1956 Hi Robert Glad you found it interesting. So did Alan Corey (The unofficial Yashica old SLR homepage). Both of your websites have been very helpful to me in compiling my wallchart of the "Yashica Family Tree". Did I ever send you an electronic copy? Alan wondered if the Ad was published before the cameras were released on the market but the text extracted below makes it certain that the cameras were for sale and in the shops in 1956. " Three months ago, many camera store owners had a preview of the Yashica cameras. ............." " Now they are here ... in your camera store ... for you to judge ......." " ...... you'll certainly want to see these new cameras - before the initial supply is whisked off the shelves. .............." This text indicates that the cameras were in existence AND previewed in Aug/Sept 1956 by store owners and in the stores by November 1956. The other thing interesting to me is the Company. With a trade name of Yashica, and a company name of Yashima Optical Ind. Co. Ltd. Yokyo, Japan. U.S. Address 329 Fifth Avenue, New York 16, N.Y. On my chart, I've got Yashima as [Yashima Seiki 1949] and [Yashica Inc., New York 1957]. This means that there was yet another name change between 1949 and 1956 for Yashima, in the U.S. at least. AND, that there was a Yashima .... if not a Yashica Office in New York in 1956, a year before the official Yashica U.S. company date of 1957. I will try to investigate further. So much from one simple ad! I'm glad you enjoyed seeing it. I'd be happy to receive further comments from yourself. Cheers, and a Happy New Year, Bob - The Kyocera Kid.
From: Bob Letsche [[email protected]] Sent: Sat 1/24/2004 To: Monaghan, Robert Subject: Yashica Auto - rare 6x6 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2980976083&indexURL=5&photoDisplayType=2 only just spotted this .... hope it interests you ..... I think it's rare and hardly ever mentioned ..... traced it to 1958. Cheers, Bob. from the listing: * focus 1 meter to infinity * f 3.5 to 22 * M and X flash sync * shutter 1 second to 1/500th. ( 1, 1/2, 1/5, 1/10, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/250, 1/500 ) * ASA 'reminder' (this has no meter): 50-400 (DIN 11-32) * self-timer * 12 exposure; does not take 220 film * "sport" viewfinder (front of lens hood folds inward/down; hole in back of hood) Serial numbers: composing lens: 210717, taking lens: 210456, camera body: 3941220
Broken links:Yashica TLR Partial history (Alan Corey) [02/00]
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