Yashica C Twin Lens Reflex Camera
Photo thanks to Randy Roberts - [email protected]
Index:
Photo notes:
Related Local Links:
Medium Format Home Page
Medium Format Cameras List Page
Yashica A TLR
Yashica TLR Guide (local archive)
Related Links:
See the above links for related medium format cameras and resources,
particularly the local Yashica Twin Lens Reflex camera links at the
Medium Format Camera Library Page.
The Yashica model C (and a derivative model B) TLRs feature a three
element lens design, PC flash synch, uses 120 rollfilm for a 6x6cm square
image, and has a Copal shutter. Chris Mullin notes the model C has a
selenium meter and autoexposure feature, although other sources don't
confirm these features [may be on rarer model B?] (see Yashica TLR Guide for details).
While the 3
element yashikor lens is often less highly regarded than the 4 element
Yashinon or Lumaxor lenses of the later models, the lens still does a
decent job. Like the model A, the range of shutter speeds is also limited
(e.g., down to 1/250th?). These TLRs were inexpensive when new (model A
was under $30...), and probably correspond to similar 3 element optic
Seagull TLRs in terms of optics and construction quality which have sold
new in the USA for circa $60-80 US until recently (Porter's Camera store).
Unfortunately, the new Chinese TLRs under either the Seagull or
Kalimar import label have more than doubled in price in the last year,
without corresponding improvements in optics or mechanical quality
control according to some posters.
The prices of yashica TLRs with 4 element lenses has risen greatly in the
last 2 years (1998-99), so it is not uncommon to see Yashicamat 124Gs
sell on EBAY for $300 or more. These same TLRs were closed out for $79.95
in the early 1990s. I believe that the various camera magazine articles
of the 1990s recommending the Yashicamats as an entry level TLR (based on
them being the last production Japanese non-interchangeable lens TLR) has
caused their price and popularity to go up beyond what their optics and
features would support (i.e., you can buy rolleiflexes for less). The
flip side of this Yashica TLR price appreciation is that prices of other
older Yashica TLRs such as the Yashica A and C models have also been
going up, again more than seems justified when compared to prices for
Rolleicords and similar high end competitive TLRs of similar age.
Moreover, the earlier models are considered to be less desirable as user
TLR cameras against the later yashicas such as the early Yashicamats and
even the LM, EM, and 12 models. In short, the current best buys in this
series of TLRs is probably not the high end Yashicamat 124Gs, while the
3 element optics of the early yashica A and C models are disdained,
leaving the later 4 element optics versions as the best bang for the money.
That said, these early Yashica TLRs still produce surprisingly decent
results despite their 3 element optics, especially stopped down (f/8..).
And you can sometimes find them for $15-25 US and up, making them cheap
enough that you aren't out a lot of money if you do buy one. Between the
often problematic quality glitches of low cost Lubitels and Seagulls, the
yashica A/B/C models would be a good alternative, especially if you are
buying online (sight unseen).
Yashica C twin lens reflex camera.
Date: Thu, 07 Sep 2000
From: Jim Thomas or Debbie Thomas [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: corrections to Yashica-C page
Just wanted to drop you a note with corrections to numerous inaccuracies
in your Yashica-C page at http://www.smu.edu/~rmonagha/mf/yashicac.html
My corrections to your page:
you said:
The Yashica model C (and a derivative model B) TLRs feature a three
element lens design, PC flash synch, uses 120
rollfilm for a 6x6cm square image, and has a Copal shutter. Chris Mullin
notes the model C has a selenium meter and
autoexposure feature, although other sources don't confirm these
features [may be on rarer model B?] (see Yashica TLR
Guide for details).
I say:
**** The Yashica-C was an improved version of the Yashica-B, which was
an improved version of the Yashica-A. There was NEVER a meter on the
Yashica-C, never any autoexposure.*****
you said:
While the 3 element yashikor lens is often less highly regarded than the
4 element Yashinon or Lumaxor lenses of the
later models, the lens still does a decent job. Like the model A, the
range of shutter speeds is also limited (e.g., down to
1/250th?). These TLRs were inexpensive when new (model A was under
$30...), and probably correspond to similar 3
element optic Seagull TLRs in terms of optics and construction quality
which have sold new in the USA for circa $60-80
US until recently (Porter's Camera store). Unfortunately, the new
Chinese TLRs under either the Seagull or Kalimar
import label have more than doubled in price in the last year, without
corresponding improvements in optics or
mechanical quality control according to some posters.
I say:
****** The optics and construction of the Yashica-C, as well as the A
and D, are far superior to the Chinese Seagull and Pearl River TLRs.
The Yashikor is a very capable lens, even superior to some of the early
4 element Lumaxars. *********
I've owned Yashica TLRs (as well as Rolleis) for many years and I've had
a chance to shoot with many of the different models. Most compare
favorably with the 1950 era 3.5 lensed Rolleis.
Best wishes,
Jim Thomas
[email protected]
Collectible Cameras / Antique Phonographic Pages
http://geocities.com/novartelma/indexcam.html
In Praise of Toy Cameras
http://geocities.com/novartelma/toycam.htm
from rollei mailing list: Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2002 From: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Rollei] Yashica C vs Rolleicord (was Rollei 6008 plus Non PQ lenses) you wrote: >So the Rollei is the Ferrari, right? ;-) How does the >Yachica C (Yasinon lens, maybe?) compare to a >Rolleicord, for example. I've never owned a Yashica, >but the 'cord i can't say enough good things about. I >love the Schneider Xenar lens. It's old but still >kicks some butt optically IMHO. I have owned both. A good Xenar, IMHO, is about as good as it gets, imagewise, from Rollei (IMHO, of course). The Yashica C, with Yashikor 3 element lens, actually isn't half bad, and perhaps desirable for portraiture. It's deficiencies give it a not unpleasant personality at wider apertures, its lack of critical sharpness kind to the facially craggy among us. At f 16, it would be hard to tell almost any lens from another at enlargements up to 11X14. That said, I dumped my Yashicas long ago with no regrets and returned to Rollei for my TLR chores. Mechanically, I never had much luck with any model of Yashicamat. Allen Zak