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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 Nov 11, 2021 22:59:13 GMT
Posted: Nov 11, 2021 22:59:13 GMT
This is one of those awkward customers; should it be shown under SLRs or lenses? It is the original version of the Yashica Dental Eye, a SLR with a permanently attached lens; in this case a Yashica 55mm f4 Macro with an in-built ring-flash and modelling lamp. Yashica Dental Eye 5.5cm f4 lensThis is the successor to the Yashica Oral Eye, using a SLR instead of a modified rangefinder. The camera is a heavily modified FX-3 which has a permanently attached, modified FX-D Winder and a bespoke Dental Eye Data-Back Q. It is powered by 4 AA batteries but can also use a special AC-Adapter made exclusively for the camera. This one is working perfectly but is in need of new leathers for the camera, data-back and winder. I was also able to acquire the doubler for the lens; I'll post a piccie under the Accessories section. It was lucky to find one with both its case and outer box.
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Group: Administrator
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Join date: February 2017
Status: Failed treatment for L.B.A. and G.A.S,
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on Nov 12, 2021 3:24:49 GMT
Posted: Nov 12, 2021 3:24:49 GMT
In terms of a category to use to describe it, these don't fit any of them properly - except that in this case, it's certainly a set-lens camera at the very least, but not a typical SLR or Rangefinder setup. It seems more fitting to call it a specialty camera, as it is purpose-built for a very limited task. I suppose it would slide into place alongside the CGCM's and M35/M35W lab cameras. As you noted, the underlying body is based on the FX-3, and it will accept some of the same covering panels for it. The DE-I that I recovered was a bit tricky to do, and since it doesn't have the self timer or the 'Kyocera K badge' on the front of the body, you'll need to use an alternative method to refit the front panels to get full coverage. I found an ebay seller who had 4 OEM FX-3 film door covers, so that gave me enough to do the body and the non-winder battery box and grip by custom cutting those pieces. The 4 panels were only adhesive-backed vinyl, so they were really easy to cut with a scalpel (I never use X-Acto type cutters anymore). I'd suggest contacting Aki-Asahi and see if they can supply you with 2 film door panels in your choice of material, then get the matching material for their FX winder sets. Those will cover either version of the FX winder boxes (which this definitely is), since neither the long or short 'grip' models have grip panels that require coverings. All that's needed is to cut a rectangular hole in the front facing section, for the modeling light switch on the front of the box. I should offer one warning before you start. The battery box needs to be disassembled from the camera body to get to both front panel coverings for removal, cleaning, and replacement - however - there's no plug-in type connectors for the wiring harness that runs through a hole in the camera base, and into the top of the battery box. That means they'll still be tethered together while juggling both parts to get the new covers in place. I'm not bad with a soldering gun, but it wasn't a task I was willing to attempt in order to fully separate the sections and then resolder everything back together to keep it a working camera. There's one other caveat on the battery/winder box... there are a number of internal screws to remove before you can detach the 2 halves, and they are in awkward places and will require some additional disassembly of the circuit board to access all of them. This setup doesn't depend on the same tripod socket screw that the normal winders do, so it requires a more difficult method to detach the box. If memory serves, there are 3 or 4 internal screws, and no 2 are alike. I also wouldn't try it without using JIT screwdrivers to get a very firm and positive grip on each screw head. There's one bit of good news though. The battery holder is the same as those used on the standard winders, so if you need a replacement, they're relatively easy to find.
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Group: Moderator
Post: 2,038 (562 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 Nov 12, 2021 11:05:32 GMT
Last Edit: Nov 12, 2021 11:06:45 GMT by biggles3
In terms of a category to use to describe it, these don't fit any of them properly - except that in this case, it's certainly a set-lens camera at the very least, but not a typical SLR or Rangefinder setup. It seems more fitting to call it a specialty camera, as it is purpose-built for a very limited task. I suppose it would slide into place alongside the CGCM's and M35/M35W lab cameras. As you noted, the underlying body is based on the FX-3, and it will accept some of the same covering panels for it. The DE-I that I recovered was a bit tricky to do, and since it doesn't have the self timer or the 'Kyocera K badge' on the front of the body, you'll need to use an alternative method to refit the front panels to get full coverage. I found an ebay seller who had 4 OEM FX-3 film door covers, so that gave me enough to do the body and the non-winder battery box and grip by custom cutting those pieces. The 4 panels were only adhesive-backed vinyl, so they were really easy to cut with a scalpel (I never use X-Acto type cutters anymore). I'd suggest contacting Aki-Asahi and see if they can supply you with 2 film door panels in your choice of material, then get the matching material for their FX winder sets. Those will cover either version of the FX winder boxes (which this definitely is), since neither the long or short 'grip' models have grip panels that require coverings. All that's needed is to cut a rectangular hole in the front facing section, for the modeling light switch on the front of the box. There's one bit of good news though. The battery holder is the same as those used on the standard winders, so if you need a replacement, they're relatively easy to find. Hi Randy, Thanks for the advice concerning the winder; most helpful. I've already ordered a large number of replacement leathers from our friends at AkiAsahi plus several matching leather sheets and the usual sets of light seals, etc. There's an even better bit of news concerning the battery holder for the FX Winder which you can see in the photo below... Dental Eye AC Adapter terminalThis is the connector from the AC Adapter which replaces the standard 4 AA-cell battery holder. Having one of these means that you can use mains power for the FX-D, FX-103 and Contax 139 winders, reducing the expense of all those sets of batteries which would ultimately end up in landfill. For once, there's a positive result from the Law of Unintended Consequences...
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