Post by belgiumreporter on Feb 13, 2020 10:17:30 GMT -5
When looking for anything Yashica Lynx 14 related on the camera collector forum, i was unable to find anyrhing on it. Time to put things right so here's some brief info and a pic of said camera.
The Lynx 14 has some interesting features wich in my opinion make it one of the, if not the best fixed lens Yashica rangefinder camera of the era. It is fully mechanical, only needing the (obsolete) mercury battery to power the meter.The lens is a somewhat odd 45mm 1:1.4.wich focusses down to 0.8meters (2.6ft) The central shutter has a speed range from B to 1/500sec and it has a parralax controlled rangefinder. Film transport is smooth (enough) so what is there not to like?
Well the first thing you notice when first picking up the camera is the weight and size, definatly not a camera to put in your pocket, then, in my opinion the shutter isn't all that quiet, not that it makes that much noice but it has a rather unpleasant metallic sound to it.The rangefinder spot is good, but not great and lastely on this brief summary, the diafragm ring has no click stops and can easely be moved accidently. this leaves us with a camera of wich i think is definatly worth checking out, there dosn't seem to be much love or hype for it on the net wich keeps prices low if you can find one. They are easy to test, no battery needed so either the shutter works or it dosn't wich means it is broken. Cheking the rangefinder is straightforward.With the shutter at B the aperture blades can be checked. Prices range from thrift store/garage sale low to 120$ Ebay and even this isn't outrageous if your into this kind of camera.I've sold all my "electro's" but keeping this one. (sadly no black version available )
The Lynx 14 has some interesting features wich in my opinion make it one of the, if not the best fixed lens Yashica rangefinder camera of the era. It is fully mechanical, only needing the (obsolete) mercury battery to power the meter.The lens is a somewhat odd 45mm 1:1.4.wich focusses down to 0.8meters (2.6ft) The central shutter has a speed range from B to 1/500sec and it has a parralax controlled rangefinder. Film transport is smooth (enough) so what is there not to like?
Well the first thing you notice when first picking up the camera is the weight and size, definatly not a camera to put in your pocket, then, in my opinion the shutter isn't all that quiet, not that it makes that much noice but it has a rather unpleasant metallic sound to it.The rangefinder spot is good, but not great and lastely on this brief summary, the diafragm ring has no click stops and can easely be moved accidently. this leaves us with a camera of wich i think is definatly worth checking out, there dosn't seem to be much love or hype for it on the net wich keeps prices low if you can find one. They are easy to test, no battery needed so either the shutter works or it dosn't wich means it is broken. Cheking the rangefinder is straightforward.With the shutter at B the aperture blades can be checked. Prices range from thrift store/garage sale low to 120$ Ebay and even this isn't outrageous if your into this kind of camera.I've sold all my "electro's" but keeping this one. (sadly no black version available )