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 Jul 12, 2021 12:42:15 GMT
Posted: Jul 12, 2021 12:42:15 GMT
This stunning example of Yashima's quality engineering arrived today - the YashicaFlex S in its early finish.  YashicaFlex S completeIf this camera had been made in the 1980s, it would rate as being in excellent condition but this was made in the mid-50s! Some 65 years later, it is still in perfect order; the light-meter works, the shutter speeds seem to be spot-on, the glass is crystal clear, even the leather case and strap are intact. This is the early version with Heliotar lenses, the NKS-FB shutter and the sync-socket on the side of the camera. And on top of that, tucked into the base of the case was the piece of paper below - how it's survived in such good condition I have no idea.  YashicaFlex S instructionsIt's rare to see the Yashima Kogaku Seiki Co., Ltd. name appearing on Yashica literature. |
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Group: Administrator
Post: 1,370 (301 liked)
Join date: February 2017
Status: Failed treatment for L.B.A. and G.A.S,
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on Jul 12, 2021 19:34:34 GMT
Posted: Jul 12, 2021 19:34:34 GMT
I think this is a great example of enginuity and some very precise engineering. The metering uses the nameplate 'flap' as a means to obtain readings in either high or low sensitivity modes, so the user gets added flexibility at little manufacturing expense. The engineering aspect is how one figures out the number, size, and placement of those little holes to get consistently repeatable and accurate measurements. All this at a time when others were guessing or using some form of 'Sunny 16' or external meters.
The whole metering setup reminds me of the Yashica LM model, that also uses a flap on the meter, but only as a cover and an 'on/off' switch of sorts. Really great to see the instruction sheet too, and I'd suspect that's far more rare than the camera itself.
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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 Jul 12, 2021 20:55:34 GMT
Posted: Jul 12, 2021 20:55:34 GMT
I think this is a great example of enginuity and some very precise engineering. The metering uses the nameplate 'flap' as a means to obtain readings in either high or low sensitivity modes, so the user gets added flexibility at little manufacturing expense. The engineering aspect is how one figures out the number, size, and placement of those little holes to get consistently repeatable and accurate measurements. All this at a time when others were guessing or using some form of 'Sunny 16' or external meters. The whole metering setup reminds me of the Yashica LM model, that also uses a flap on the meter, but only as a cover and an 'on/off' switch of sorts. Really great to see the instruction sheet too, and I'd suspect that's far more rare than the camera itself. I could not agree with you more; the operation of the light meter is very impressive. It's also such a relief to find a selenium cell that's working properly and dates back to the early- to mid-1950s. The quality of engineering throughout this camera is impressive. I have not come across the shutter type or the Heliotar lenses before - it will be fun getting to know them. And you are right again - how that instruction sheet has survived is amazing. The camera was being sold with two early Kodak models; one, the 'Hawkeye Ace De Luxe' is also in superb condition, particularly for a cheap, 1938 camera. I have its younger sibling, a Blair Baby Hawk-eye dating from about 1899, in one of my boxes and this has motivated me to find it and give it an airing. It's the oldest camera I own and Blair must have been doing something right as Kodak bought the company. |
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