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on Dec 16, 2021 15:38:18 GMT
Posted: Dec 16, 2021 15:38:18 GMT
I was not familiar with this model in the Zoomate range: the Zoomate 115 GRF ( Growth Record Function)  Yashica Zoomate 115 GRF And to be honest, I'm not yet much the wiser. It appears to be essentially a 115 ( 38-115mm Kyocera zoom) but with something very unusual - a data-back instead of the mere date-back. The reason I'm not better informed as to its capabilities is that the main switches on the back are marked in Japanese and the complex LCD display also is mostly showing Japanese characters. Perhaps it was not intended for export. On the base, it is engraved: PARTS MADE IN JAPAN, ASSEMBLED IN CHINA. Regardless of the use of the data-back, the 115 showed itself to be a very decent performer so this should be no different. Although the 110W is probably my favourite Zoomate camera (lovely wide (28mm to mid-range (110mm) zoom lens), the 115 is a joy to use. As to the GRF designator, I have no idea as to what the G for Growth is supposed to signify. If a user manual eventually materialises, hopefully some of the missing information and capabilities will become apparent. |
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on Dec 17, 2021 14:50:13 GMT
Posted: Dec 17, 2021 14:50:13 GMT
It seems churlish to mention that strange data-back and not show it. So here's a close-up of the LCD:  Zoomate 115 GRF rearThis is one of several screens through which you can scroll. This looks like it may be showing someone's name plus a date of the 18th and a time of 2 minutes past midnight (though why you would need 3 digits for the date I have no idea...). What the two sets of symbols below 'yuduki' refer to is beyond me... If I can't track down a manual, it may come down to scanning the back of the camera, loading the Japanese language module into Microsoft Word before using OCR software and then translating the subsequent text. A real pain in the posterior... |
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on Dec 18, 2021 14:39:36 GMT
Last Edit: Dec 18, 2021 14:41:25 GMT by lumiworx
This might be off the mark, but I wonder if the 3 digits and the clock segments mean that it all works together as a simple form of an intervalometer. The 3 digits allow for setting up to 999 events, and the clock setting specifies the interval for when to fire the shutter. If a user sets up the timing and aims the camera at a plant or even a petri dish full of cultures... that would tie in with the type of 'function' referred to on the sticker. Seems like it could be workable as a teaching tool aimed at life science courses with that functionality as an advertising angle, but I assume it still functions like any other P&S camera for the masses if the timing functions weren't needed.
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on Dec 18, 2021 17:18:28 GMT
Posted: Dec 18, 2021 17:18:28 GMT
This might be off the mark, but I wonder if the 3 digits and the clock segments mean that it all works together as a simple form of an intervalometer. The 3 digits allow for setting up to 999 events, and the clock setting specifies the interval for when to fire the shutter. If a user sets up the timing and aims the camera at a plant or even a petri dish full of cultures... that would tie in with the type of 'function' referred to on the sticker. Seems like it could be workable as a teaching tool aimed at life science courses with that functionality as an advertising angle, but I assume it still functions like any other P&S camera for the masses if the timing functions weren't needed. You may be correct in identifying the 3 digits as a form of counter but I'm not sure how remotely setting a P&S camera to be able to handle up to 999 events works with a 36-frame roll of film; on the Contax RTS/RTS Fundus/RTSII it was not so much of an issue as a 250-exposure back was available. If memory serves, Nikon actually offered a 750-frame back for the F2 which would have saved me a lot of hassle instead of having to carry two 250 backs with cameras and battery holders plus duplicate lenses and up to 6 loaded film cassettes when shooting sports competitions. Science experiments remain somewhat less frenetic... I don't think a Zoomate camera could be easily set up for remote capturing of progressive images because after a short period of time, the lens automatically retracts to reduce battery consumption; I'm not aware of an option to prevent it. That being said, I would expect a Kyocera-era data-back to offer some form of intervalometer so it may be that the GRF edition of the 115 could be programmed to keep the lens in a fixed position. Until I find either a user of the camera or a manual, its true capabilities will remain elusive; it's a little frustrating... |
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on Dec 18, 2021 17:57:25 GMT
Posted: Dec 18, 2021 17:57:25 GMT
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on Dec 18, 2021 19:40:09 GMT
Posted: Dec 18, 2021 19:40:09 GMT
Hi lumiworxThank you very much for those urls. Some of the accompanying piccies for the camera for sale provide an explanation for the 3 digits - it looks like it's for an apostrophe and two digits to denote the year ('99). As to the other symbols on the LCD, I'll have to wait for an affordable manual - the one you kindly found is $29 with shipping and tax to be added which is a bit too rich for me. A little perseverance may be needed here... |
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on Dec 19, 2021 10:58:47 GMT
Posted: Dec 19, 2021 10:58:47 GMT
Lumi has just reminded me of something  Do you still have the Zoomate 140 you got from me? Might be worth a look at the manual to see if it covers GRF, if you still have it. |
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on Dec 19, 2021 15:23:25 GMT
Posted: Dec 19, 2021 15:23:25 GMT
Lumi has just reminded me of something Do you still have the Zoomate 140 you got from me? Might be worth a look at the manual to see if it covers GRF, if you still have it. Hi Bob, One of the first things I did when I read Randy's message about the 140 GRF was check the 140's manual; unfortunately, it only refers to the 140 and the 140SE, which has a standard date-back, so my hunt goes on. Nice thought though... |
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on Dec 19, 2021 15:51:40 GMT
Posted: Dec 19, 2021 15:51:40 GMT
I should have realised you'd be right on the ball with that one |
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on Jan 7, 2022 20:00:17 GMT
Last Edit: Jan 7, 2022 20:01:04 GMT by biggles3
While I am not any wiser on the process of entering data into the GRF display on the back-plate, I found a Japanese specification for the Zoomate 115 & 140 with GRF.
Depending on the accuracy of the translation, it appears to suggest that the GrowthRecordFunction refers to a capability to enter the date and name of an event or topic, such as a child's birthday or, for example, to show a flower's development, and then the GRF data-back calculates the elapsed time and displays it on the photo. Thus, you can produce a couple of photos showing something evolving over time and displaying the relevant timing data.
I have no idea if the back can retain data for more than 1 activity or whether you have to re-enter the initial date and name/reference every time you wish to update the photo. Further investigations will continue...
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