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on Nov 28, 2016 20:21:15 GMT
Posted: Nov 28, 2016 20:21:15 GMT
I'm slowly getting to appreciate the precursors to our Contax/Yashica range of cameras and lenses in the form of the older M42 gear.
I received a TL Electro X ITS today with a lens or two which fits nicely alongside its later sibling, the AX. Does anyone here know what the 'ITS' means on this version of the TL Electro X? I have a TL Electro X, standard version, arriving soon for comparison but my understanding is that the only difference between the cameras relates to the exposure indicators in the viewfinder and the gold symbol on the pentaprism of the ITS camera. Although the ITS never appeared in chrome, there was a rare black version of the TL Electro X.
It's interesting to see the presence of the DNA for the FX-1 and FR series cameras in these two models, principally in their embryonic electronic systems. Also, the body shape of both cameras is echoed in that of the FX-1, FX-2 though the FR series was a significant departure in styling. I have one very rare M42 camera on its way which overlapped the introduction of the Contax/Yashica system and then I'm done.
That only leaves the acquisition of a DS-M Yashinon 55 1.2.... |
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on Nov 28, 2016 20:37:03 GMT
Posted: Nov 28, 2016 20:37:03 GMT
and then I'm done.
That only leaves the acquisition of a DS-M Yashinon 55 1.2.... Yeah yeah yeah :-) |
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on Nov 28, 2016 23:02:01 GMT
Posted: Nov 28, 2016 23:02:01 GMT
[...] Does anyone here know what the 'ITS' means on this version of the TL Electro X? [...] I remember reading somewhere that it was to do with integrated electronic circuits, but I'm not sure if this is true. Wow! Not exactly a low-budget proposition I daresay... Good luck! Michael |
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on Nov 29, 2016 3:45:55 GMT
Posted: Nov 29, 2016 3:45:55 GMT
"Integrated-circuit Timing System" is the best I can come up with. Kind of goes along with the "IC" on the later Lynx 5000 and 14 models, while sounding like something different. Of course, it was different because it was controlling a vertical focal plane shutter, instead of the leaf diaphragm type used on the rangefinders. And they didn't want to rehash the G designation of the rangefinders, as that would cause confusion between recognition of the model lines.
PF
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on Nov 29, 2016 9:35:09 GMT
Last Edit: Nov 29, 2016 9:59:08 GMT by biggles3
You both make perfect sense with your suggested definitions though this leaves me with another question; most Yashica-files suggest that apart from cosmetic issues such as colour, logo, and arrows instead of dots for exposure information, the TL Electro X and the ITS are identical - which begs the question as to why the ITS logo was not on the earlier model. Or have we discovered a difference - the electronics? I feel a few extra bodies and some major disassembly coming up....
As for that DS-M 55 1.2, it is unique in the pantheon of Yashica M42 55 1.2 lenses as it used a different optical formula and an advanced coating that is rumoured to be the origin of the ML type. It is the one Yashica lens (other than the fabled ML 400 5.6!) for which I will sacrifice a ML 55 1.2. Curiosity is a very powerful drive... |
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on Dec 1, 2016 3:03:42 GMT
Posted: Dec 1, 2016 3:03:42 GMT
You both make perfect sense with your suggested definitions though this leaves me with another question; most Yashica-files suggest that apart from cosmetic issues such as colour, logo, and arrows instead of dots for exposure information, the TL Electro X and the ITS are identical - which begs the question as to why the ITS logo was not on the earlier model. Or have we discovered a difference - the electronics? I feel a few extra bodies and some major disassembly coming up.... Marketing mores, most likely. Could be the original turned some folks off with that Old English "Y" on the prism housing. Or Olympus got on them about trying to copy the look of the Pen F. So why not add something else to the mix to further differentiate the two. I'll save you the trouble of doing the autopsies, as I have both models in sad condition. PF |
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on Dec 1, 2016 3:12:08 GMT
Posted: Dec 1, 2016 3:12:08 GMT
Well, that didn't take long. I seemed to remember the board was on the bottom, and they are both the same, marked "NEC 3011".
PF
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on Dec 1, 2016 13:15:45 GMT
Posted: Dec 1, 2016 13:15:45 GMT
Well, that didn't take long. I seemed to remember the board was on the bottom, and they are both the same, marked "NEC 3011". PF Many thanks for taking the trouble to check...maybe it was simply a marketing exercise. I'll keep digging... |
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on Feb 9, 2017 22:15:54 GMT
Posted: Feb 9, 2017 22:15:54 GMT
Now this can be confusing at a casual glance... Here we have the TL Electro X ITS and the TL Electro X in black.  I can't work out which I prefer as they are almost identical in operation and specification; the pentaprism logos are the most obvious clues to identity and both versions have a pleasing elegance. |
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on Feb 10, 2017 2:19:47 GMT
Posted: Feb 10, 2017 2:19:47 GMT
Well, I'd take the black Y over the ITS as long as that 24mm stays with it. That and the fact it is much rarer.
PF
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on Mar 1, 2017 18:31:34 GMT
Posted: Mar 1, 2017 18:31:34 GMT
Hi all! 'ITS' was purely a marketing ploy but, it appears to have some basis in reality. After pouring over dozens of sales brochures about the TL Electro-X and the ITS (German, English & Japanese brochures), the 'ITS' more than likely stood for 'Integrated Technology System'. A few clues are with the Samurai as it has 'Integrated Technology' on it and then Contax-Yashica 'RTS' which I believe stands for 'Real Time System'. Yashica was desperate to market the TL Electro-X as a more pro level camera system. So, ITS and the surrounding sales brochures show what Yashica felt was a system.
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