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Join date: April 2014
Status: Long, long time Contax and Yashica user; glad to be here and hope to contribute.
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on May 25, 2021 14:46:58 GMT
Posted: May 25, 2021 14:46:58 GMT
This is Yashica's very basic, plastic, viewfinder camera: the Partner.  Yashica PartnerCharacterised by its fold-down front which protects the lens and also locks the shutter button when retracted, this has a fixed focus 38mm f4 lens with an aperture range of f4-f22 and a single shutter speed of around 1/100s. A red LED warns the photographer that the flash is needed and two AA batteries provide the power for the meter, LED and flash. Inevitably, with its very basic options for exposure and focusing, its results can be a bit hit-and-miss but with care, the lens can deliver some pleasing images. It works especially well with its flash, delivering sharp photos with a neutral colour cast. It's not going to get much use but I freely admit that I'm a sucker for fold-out cameras - even when they're as 'plasticky' as this one. |
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Group: Moderator
Post: 2,040 (563 liked)
Join date: April 2014
Status: Long, long time Contax and Yashica user; glad to be here and hope to contribute.
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on Aug 31, 2021 11:34:53 GMT
Posted: Aug 31, 2021 11:34:53 GMT
This is the model that immediately (1984) followed the Partner, the Yashica Partner AF.  Yashica Partner AFAs its name suggests, this is an auto-focus model. It uses a slightly faster and wider lens than its forebear, being a Yashica 35mm f3.5 comprising 4 elements in 3 groups. Employing a CdS meter, if insufficient light is detected, the shutter remains locked until you deploy the flash, which has a Guide Number of 12. The camera is powered by two AA batteries. Although entirely plastic, the housing is nevertheless quite robust and the lens is capable of providing good images with plenty of contrast. |
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on Aug 31, 2021 12:33:41 GMT
Last Edit: Aug 31, 2021 16:42:22 GMT by xkaes
The Partner is very much like the Minolta Hi-Matic GF of 1984 -- except for the lens flap. It too had a 38mm f4 lens and two ISO settings 100 & 400. It had three Waterhouse f-stop settings 4/8/16 marked by weather symbols. Inexpensive, simple camera with great results. An auto-focus version might have been made as well. Minolta was using/stealing Honeywell's auto-focusing technology at the time (which Honeywell never used in a camera), and it eventually was used in the 1985 Minolta Maxxum SLR camera. Minolta ended up having to pay Honeywell $125 MILLION in a copyright infringement lawsuit.
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Group: Moderator
Post: 2,040 (563 liked)
Join date: April 2014
Status: Long, long time Contax and Yashica user; glad to be here and hope to contribute.
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on Mar 3, 2023 15:37:55 GMT
Posted: Mar 3, 2023 15:37:55 GMT
OK - there's no excuse but I couldn't resist this red version of the Partner AF.  Yashica Partner AF Red EditionI'm not usually keen on very brightly-coloured cameras but this was very cheap as it had some minor corrosion in the battery compartment and was sold as 'for spares or repair'. After a quick clean and the judicious application of some conductive paint, it's now working perfectly. That said, I think I'll wait for a wild party before taking it out to play... |
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on Mar 4, 2023 10:20:24 GMT
Posted: Mar 4, 2023 10:20:24 GMT
Are you going for the all silver and white/black versions too? I wonder if there is a blue version too ... they made red and blue versions of the MF-3 Super!
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Group: Moderator
Post: 2,040 (563 liked)
Join date: April 2014
Status: Long, long time Contax and Yashica user; glad to be here and hope to contribute.
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on Mar 4, 2023 11:12:56 GMT
Posted: Mar 4, 2023 11:12:56 GMT
Are you going for the all silver and white/black versions too? I wonder if there is a blue version too ... they made red and blue versions of the MF-3 Super! Not fair Bob! I'm trying to limit my appetite for Yashica gear in these straitened times and you're putting temptation right in my path... Trouble is, I always liked the look of the white/black model... |
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on Mar 4, 2023 13:19:45 GMT
Posted: Mar 4, 2023 13:19:45 GMT
He! He! You know you want it (them?)  |
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