Yashica in Hong Kong | Yashica Forum

lumiworx
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Yashica in Hong Kong Jul 24, 2022 16:58:32 GMT

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on Jul 24, 2022 16:58:32 GMT

Last Edit: Jul 24, 2022 16:59:11 GMT by lumiworx

There has been some discussions within the forum over time about many Yashica camera origins, and the 'Made in...' type of phrases stamped on various bodies. Many of us have speculated on what that actually meant, and I think I've found at least one solid explanation, and it certainly applies to at least one model and the bundled kits that included them... the MG-1 cameras made in Hong Kong. It may not apply to every single product stamped "Hong Kong", and it may be that there was some transition phase when this manufacturing circumstance happened early on - before this individual factory was capable of producing everything, from start to finish.

This is a crop of one of the 'short' sides of the display box for the kit, and the 'explanation sticker' is on both ends of the box. It appears to be mass produced for this purpose, and is generic enough that it can be used with any camera item coming from the Hong Kong factory, as it doesn't mention any particular model. The box and label text are in English only, so I think it's safe to say that rules out the possibility that these were destined for only the European or Asia-Pacific market -but- that's not to suggest that there weren't any similar kits available for other regions.

Like many other kits Yashica produced, it seems to have only contained the essentials, and didn't include the extensive collection of accessories that the grander kits provided, like an everready and/or carrying case, the ST-7 tripod, and a set of auxiliary lenses. Some items are missing from the box cutouts shown in the other pictures of the for-sale item, and by shape and size I'm guessing that it came with a roll of film, a set of batteries for camera and flash, and a lens hood. Unfortunately there's no indication on the box itself as to what all the actual contents were. This kit only has the camera, a CS-14 flash, and a typical 10mm vinyl strap.

Here's the seller's ebay listing page - www.ebay.com/itm/165591744945 - and I've put copies of the listing's full size photos into a testbed album for future reference, here: testbed.lumiworx.com/#16586802772249

Websites: lumiworx.com - testbed.lumiworx.com

biggles3
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Yashica in Hong Kong Aug 14, 2022 16:28:21 GMT

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on Aug 14, 2022 16:28:21 GMT

Last Edit: Aug 14, 2022 16:29:03 GMT by biggles3

This still seems one of the more unusual Hong Kong references from the 1960s:

Early Minister III

Have you seen it on any other Yashica models from 1968 which is what the serial number decodes to?

According to Chris Whelan, Yashica's Hong Kong factory only formally became their factory in 1968 but had been used by them prior to that. It could be construed that it was preferred for the production of slightly lower specified versions of standard models. For example, this camera was manufactured in March 1968, being the 1816th produced BUT it featured a Yashinon lens, not the DX-Yashinon seen on Japanese-made Minister III models; indeed, my M-3 from 1966 bears the DX version so you'd be entitled to ask why two years later, a lower quality lens would be used; simply shifting redundant stock? It would be interesting to know in which markets the lower spec Minister IIIs were being sold...

lumiworx
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Yashica in Hong Kong Aug 15, 2022 18:00:27 GMT

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on Aug 15, 2022 18:00:27 GMT

Last Edit: Aug 15, 2022 18:07:08 GMT by lumiworx

"Processed" is such an ambiguous term when it comes to describing manufacturing too. It could mean anything, and in the end, it could simply be a legal wrangling to get around tariffs or taxing, or trade limitations of some kind. Certainly for the US market there needed to be some reference to country of origin to satisfy import laws and regulations, but this kind of phrase doesn't say very much above stating an origin point of export.

I don't know if the practice still exists here in the US, but once upon a time in the 60's-70's, a trademark holder actually made small batches of products bearing their registered trademark - and sold them, mostly in the city of manufacture - to have a legal defense against future trademark infringement or claims by others that a trademark registration had no merit to be granted. There were sections set up in stores that sold whatever it was - usually at a hefty discount - that were in essence just rebranded products under these alternate names and packagings. They'd use them as protection arguments, and companies had no intention of doing full scale productions for them. That may be why these are so vague, and Yashica wanted some benefit beyond any manufacturing needs.

As for differing lenses on the same models from different factories or over time... it might be a simple case of using up inventory that would otherwise go to waste, or negatively affect the bottom line. The M3/M-III was the last of the Minister line, and if I had a warehouse full of lenses, I'd want to put them to use somewhere. If the M3 could use them and they didn't impact the quality of the results in photos, why not?

Websites: lumiworx.com - testbed.lumiworx.com