Yashica TL

[truls]

I won a Yashica TL, but information on the camera is almost non existent. All I can find is about Yashica TL Super or Electro etc. It is a nice camera, barely used. It is my first Yashica ever. I think the lens is nice, Yashinon DX 50 2.0.

[Stephen]

I think the main specification is the same across the models, the Yashica TL was a max speed of 1/500th, and the base model, the others adding exposure, or auto operation features as they went up in price.
When looking for details do not forget Google images, there is always a page the picture came from to refer to, and any Yashica TL image may bring up a useful page.
Yashica lens are very underrated, they usually are very good, perhaps a bit more variable than a top more expensive maker. There is no reason to get a bad one apart from damage.
The bodies are very reliable, but were a bit cheaper made than, say, Canon of the same period.
All round a rival of Pentax really, without the large range of branded lenses, but then they took Pentax as well. Off hand I can remember any faulty ones being returned, and secondhand sold well, and never came back!

Stephen.

[Stephen]

The answer is they are nearly the same as  shown below, so a TL Super instruction book will cover most things.
Yashica TL Super, 1967

Fixed Pentaprism
Shutter: 1-1/1000,B (mechanical)
Flash:X-synch hot shoe and standard X and F sockets at 1/60.
Metering: stopped-down TTL metering
Finder: Microprism spot and ground glass collar in full focusing screen: meter needle.
Battery: PX 640 Silver Oxide
Automatic diaphragm M42 fit lenses
Instant return mirror
Self timer
Mirror lock up.


Yashica TL, 1968

As TL Super but shutter 1/2-1/500 and there is no mirror lock up.

The TL was later than original, so was the economy model.

Hope this helps, nice camera,

Stephen.

[truls]

Thank you Stephen! That info was most welcome. I thought it would be an economy model, as the top shutter speed was 1/500. I think you are some kind of oracle or camera professor, as you always have an answer.

[Stephen]

Sold too many cameras! Collected too many Cameras! Read too many magazine articles!, and I admit I am good at mining out information from the net......
Stephen

[Mark Vaughan]

Is it just me? Or, is there a bit of Mamaya Secor DNA in that TL?

[Stephen]

Mamiya were influential designers. but no connections with Yashica by this period, and I don't think they worked together in the 1950's. Mamiya sold cameras under other names, B&H, and Sears in the States, and Rank Mamiya in the UK.
They could only be sold as Mamiya in the States, as the name and importing was controlled by a US company.
Yashica were a long established optical maker, taking over Nicca etc., and making lens for other camera makers.
Stephen.