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on Jan 27, 2018 14:52:13 GMT
Posted: Jan 27, 2018 14:52:13 GMT
A friend has purchased what appears to be a very early Yashica 35 rangefinder. While the Yashima engraving on the rear is unusual, what sets this camera apart is the possibly unique engraving of “Yasinon” on the lens bezel. The camera can be seen here: www.flickr.com/photos/43063706@N02/25047153287
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on Jan 28, 2018 3:21:52 GMT
Posted: Jan 28, 2018 3:21:52 GMT
I've seen one other with the Yasinon moniker, and it was a long time ago.
PF
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on Sept 17, 2018 10:50:50 GMT
Posted: Sept 17, 2018 10:50:50 GMT
This is a dormant thread but I thought that I would provide an update for anyone doing research. First up, the Flickr post suggests that "Yashica" came from "Yashima" and "Nicca". That's not correct and the idea possibly originates from the Yashica Guy site. Yashima's history begins with TLRs. By 1954, the Pigeonflex had morphed into the Yashimaflex into the Yashicaflex. "Yashica" came from "Yashima" and "camera" just like Leica came from Leitz and camera and Konica from Konishiroku and camera. The first models called "Yashica" were released in 1956 (Yashica Rookie, Yashica A, C and LM - PDF from my site, date on the bottom of ad). The Yashica 8 movie camera was released in 1957. Also in 1957, Yashima established its New York subsidiary, Yashica Inc. The first Yashica 35 rolled off the production line in April 1958. The acquisition of Nicca was finalised in May 1958. See the problem? A new fixed lens leaf shutter rangefinder camera quite unlike Nicca's Leica copies would have taken some time to design and tool up for - I can't see any Nicca role there. All the Yashica 35s produced from April 1958 until sometime in September 1958 have the maker name Yashima on the back (approx 20% of the 99 examples in my database), all examples after that have Yashica (also applied to other cameras with the maker name displayed, e.g. Yashica 8, Yashica-Mat). The first Yashica 35 brochures (Japanese) have headings proclaiming "Yashinon" but "Yasinon" appearing on the lenses. I have only seen one f/2.8 Yasinon in the wild, paradoxically, from quite late in production featuring all the expected trim updates. However, f/1.9 versions are relatively common, appearing from the beginning in decreasing numbers until May 1959, yes, including some examples with Yashica as the maker. There are 13 in my database including 3 from brochures and my own is featured on the site: www.yashicatlr.com/Yashica35.html BTW, the reason I have been able to find so many Yasinons is possibly because most are from Japanese auctions. The "Yasinon" name also appears on early 1958 Yashica 8T and 8T-2 movie camera lenses (not the first 1957 Yashica 8 Japanese domestic model which featured Zunow lenses exclusively).
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on Sept 18, 2018 2:21:11 GMT
Last Edit: Sept 18, 2018 2:22:39 GMT by ridgeblue99
Well, the camera name could have been derived like Leica, but the company was still Yashima. They made microscopes, and other optical equipment before they started making TLRs. The company name did not change until the merger with Nicca, so folks could have just assumed it was because of the merger. More likely it was due to trying to bring some clarity to the corporate structure, as the cameras that were made before the Yashica 35 were just reworked Nicca designs (YE and YF). What you say about the lead time for production is correct, because while the Nicca designs were copies of Leica, the 35 borrows heavily from the Contax, though with a fixed lens, and leaf shutter for economy. So it had to be in the pipeline before the Nicca takeover.
Thanks for pointing out the timeline, Paul.
PF
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on Sept 19, 2018 1:15:12 GMT
Posted: Sept 19, 2018 1:15:12 GMT
I don't disagree with the gist of what you are saying but I am a total stickler for detail! That is the reason why my website exists. Yashima did make optical equipment as well as electrical testing stuff and watch parts but never microscopes. That is a different Yashima which has always been based in Tokyo. It is currently known as "Yashima Optical Co., Ltd" and according to their website, have been around since 1935 www.microscope.co.jp/company/about_us.html. Nothing to do with the Ushiyama brothers who worked at the valve making company Kitazawa in the Nagano prefecture (involved in munitions during the War) and started our Yashima business in 1945 (wikis) or 1946 (Nov 1960 The Free Singapore Press article) and incorporated in 1949. If you are an insomniac, the detail is at www.yashicatlr.com/Yashica.html#yashica with more further down under " The Factories". The Yashica 35 came first. It rolled off the production line in April 1958, the Nicca acquisition was completed in May 1958 and Yashima/Yashica continued to sell the Nicca III-L until mid-1959. Maybe the Nicca 33 too (until the beginning of 1959) but I have seen no Yashica placed ads for the 33 whereas there are two Japanese ads for the III-L, the first looks like it was originally produced by Nicca with just "Yashica" in one corner (Yashica, not Yashima so post-September 1959) and the other is a Yashica ad for both the Nicca III-L and the new Yashica YE together. There seems to be reasonable consensus that both the YE and YF were released in 1959. My understanding of serial numbers suggests the YE at the beginning of 1959 and the YF in the middle. I understand that some people are sceptical about my serial number claims but Japanese Camera Collectors’ News of May 1985 claims that the YF was not actually released until December 1959.
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on Sept 19, 2018 1:42:34 GMT
Posted: Sept 19, 2018 1:42:34 GMT
I have to admit, Paul, I haven't visited your site in many years, though it's been bookmarked for a long time. So I've forgotten a lot of what I learned from it.
The worst thing to find out though is that my Yashima microscope has nothing to do with the company that became Yashica. I guess I can quit hanging on to it then. I could use the space it's taking up. However, the YF will stay for now.
And I'll have to start referencing your site again.
PF
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on Sept 19, 2018 7:31:53 GMT
Posted: Sept 19, 2018 7:31:53 GMT
The site has changed a fair bit and the early 35mm cameras are a new addition.
What's not to like about the YFs? They seem to be getting harder to find and appreciating in value too, even more reason to hold on to it! I'm still looking :-(
Cheers
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on Sept 20, 2018 1:38:48 GMT
Posted: Sept 20, 2018 1:38:48 GMT
The site has changed a fair bit and the early 35mm cameras are a new addition. What's not to like about the YFs? They seem to be getting harder to find and appreciating in value too, even more reason to hold on to it! I'm still looking :-( Cheers I have found they have an inherent drivetrain fault that causes jamming of the film transport. I'm on my second one now, and it's much easier on the film. It's 1700 serial numbers younger than the first one, which also had some rough handling in it's time.
PF
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on Sept 25, 2018 22:45:34 GMT
Last Edit: Sept 25, 2018 22:45:59 GMT by Deleted
Dear me, I must confess I never knew this site even existed. This is truly awesome, Paul, thanks a lot!
Michael
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on Sept 26, 2018 7:38:07 GMT
Posted: Sept 26, 2018 7:38:07 GMT
Thanks - it keeps me off the streets!
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