YASHICA GA GA...

[Randy]

Never hear much about Yashica cameras here on the Camera Collector. I have a Yashica TL Electro with a chrome lens that I had to buy a battery adapter for. Uses a plastic collar and a coil spring, and takes two S76 1.5 volt batteries. I always thought this was a great camera and I can use all my M2 lenses with it. How come the Yashica cameras aren't popular folks?



I also have a Yashica Minister D.

[John Parry]

Which Yashicas do you want me to talk about Randy??

I have a 'D', a '635', a 'J', an 'M', a bagful of Minister IIIs, a TL Electro, a TL Electro X (better than the standard as it has a metal shutter and will take modern batteries). Then I have a 200AF, a couple of 230AFs and a 270AF.

Yep - I like Yashicas!!

Regards - John

ps The best is the 230AF - much prefer it to my Eos1000FN with a similar spec.

[byuphoto]

I have a TL Electro X as my only M42 camera. I had one in the early 70's and sold it to buy the Canon F1

[Randy]

Very nice Scott. You are right on the smooth shutter with the Minister RF.

[chrisy]

8-)Hi randy, I think one of the reasons you don't hear much about Yashicas is there isn't many of them about , compared to say Pentax.Canon et al In many peoples eyes M42 = Pentax so thats what they bought. Heres a question for you; how many SLR's were made to take the M42 lens mount? Answers please before I go to the next camera fair......

Regards Chris

[Randy]

Chris did ask a great question! How many SLRs were made with the M42 Mount?

[Just Plain Curt]

Hi Chris,
A brief list of M42 would include:
Argus- at least 3 models
Carena-at least 2 models
Chinon-2 or more models
Cosina
Edixa
Exakta/Exa
Fujica-at least 5 models
Focal-Kmart badged cameras
GAF-3 or more models
Hanimex
Kalimar
Mamiya-4 or more models
Pentax-12 or more models
Praktica-17 or more models
Petri-3 or more models
Ricoh-6 or more models
Pentacon
Pallas/Miranda/Soligor-TM
Haking
Regula
Sears-3 or more models
Vivitar-at least 3 models
Voigtlander Bessaflex
Yashica-7 or more models
Zenit-at least 7 models
The ones you're most likely to run into at camera fairs are: Ricoh/Sears TLS, Pentax Spotmatic, Zenit and Praktica. Fewer Mamiya, Yashica, Vivitar, Fujica, Argus and Cosinas.

[John Parry]

Curt,

Take it you are talking about the lenses rather than the cameras? Pentacon made M42 lenses, but Pentacon cameras (Pentacon Six etc) were a bayonet fit. Also, Exakta/Exa cameras were also bayonet, and while I wouldn't bet my house on it, I don't think they made any M42 lenses (Exakta weren't really lens manufacturers, although they commissioned lenses from others for their cameras).

Regards - John

[chrisy]

Hi Curt, thanks for the info Thats a brief list?! Glad I didnt ask for the long one!
Thanks to you to John as well for your info; now I hope you boys aren't going to fall out over this......'Tuppence you don't fight' as my Grann used to say!

Chris

[Just Plain Curt]

Hi Chris,
Yep, just a brief list as I walked thru my notebook of various cameras I own or know to exist. No problems with John, he's a great guy and I respect him.
Hi John,
Just to be correct, Ihagee Exakta made M42 mount cameras. The EXA llb was made for M42 mount lenses. I know because I have one. Also the Exakta Twin TL 42 (made in 1973 by Cosina) came with a standard m42 mount as did the Exakta TL 500, TL1000 and FE 2000.
As to Pentacon, the Pentor Super TL circa 1968 was an m42 mount SLR very similar to its brethren the Praktica Nova. Not one you see every day, but nonetheless a Pentacon product. I know, I know, I have no life, LOL.

[Just Plain Curt]

OOOPS,
Forgot to include the Zeiss Icarex in the list of m42's. Hey, some guys read Sports Illustrated or Playboy, I read McKeown's and McBrooms.

[John Parry]

Love it Curt!

I, of course, stand corrected!!

Regards - John

[jennyandernie]

My first Japanese SLR was a Yashica TL Electro ( like many I started with a Zenith). I actually went to the shop to buy a Pentax with a swing needle exposure meter but the dealer showed me the Yashica; which I believe was the first with an LED indicator. In the shop the LED was much easier to see than the needle; both were M42 mounts and a similar price. I bought the Yashica. When using it I found that the LED was harder to see outdoors because as a spectacle wearer I have always had a problem with light entering the viewfinder.

I had not had the Yashica long before I dropped it and damaged the filter ring and the focusing ring. Sent the camera off to Photax who were the Yashica importers and expected the worst; a hefty repair bill. They repaired the camera and returned it to me; as new and fully checked over; for 50p plus postage (around 1$). Ever since I have had a soft spot for yashica cameras and have always had at least one. I think at present Jenny and I have around a dozen.

Ernie

[chrisy]

8-)Hi Ernie. So a dozen Yashicas is a'soft spot'?! How many for an obsession! I do own a couple of Yashicas, a Electro GSN and a Electro CC oh and not forgetting a 635 TLR (yes I know thats three) and there all excellent. Haven't got an SLR -yet.What model would you recommend? Just in case I spot one...
Regards Chris

[Just Plain Curt]

Hi Chris,
Sure a dozen or so is a soft spot. I have 24 Yashica RF's, 15 SLR's and 1 point and shoot. For RF's you already have the two best ones, in SLR I'd recommend an FR-1 in bayonet mount (bright clear finder) or a TL Electro X. Both nice cameras with that older camera heft to them.