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Status: Long, long time Contax and Yashica user; glad to be here and hope to contribute.
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on Jul 30, 2019 16:42:33 GMT
Posted: Jul 30, 2019 16:42:33 GMT
I don't think I've shared a photo of the lovely old M42 Bellows II produced under the Yashica brand in the 1960s. This one still is boxed and is shown with the Tomioka Yashinon 60mm f2.8 Macro lens - a truly magical pairing. And here, still in its original packaging, the Bellows III which was an improvement on the II by virtue of allowing auto-link coupling of lens aperture pins. I have no idea if there's a Bellows IV...
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on Jul 31, 2019 10:52:48 GMT
Posted: Jul 31, 2019 10:52:48 GMT
I think the next model was the Contax style one (minus the swing/shift feature). You may even have bought a set from me …. apologies if you didn't  |
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on Aug 1, 2019 21:03:48 GMT
Posted: Aug 1, 2019 21:03:48 GMT
The C/Y Yashica branded bellows I have is labeled as "F2", while the macro stage is just labeled as "F". I'm not sure if there was ever a bellows that was also an "F", since the 2 sections on the box it came in have had gold-foil stickers overlaid on the printed text. I have a suspicion that there might have been one, since there are a few photos in the manual showing a bellows unit that doesn't have the electrical contacts for the sync cable on the front supports - only the shutter release hole and the preview button on the opposite side.  I'm still looking for a matching Yashica brand focus rail, but I have others I can use in a pinch. These all seem to be far more rare than the Contax pieces... presumably everyone preferred the extra swing controls. |
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on Aug 1, 2019 21:22:46 GMT
Posted: Aug 1, 2019 21:22:46 GMT
The predecessor …. the "F" model had a double mechanical cable release, and was designed for the FX-3 etc. The F2 had (I think) a single cable release and an electronic cord to connect with the remote connector on the FX-D's etc. The strange thing is …. if my memory has not gone bonkers …. the single cable release usually connected to the lens plate rather than the camera shutter button (as in your photo) …. but then again, the photo shows a FX-1 … so I guess different combo's were possible I've seen an official page(s) somewhere showing all these items … I bet Graham has a copy somewhere but I'll mooch around and see if I can find a reference. |
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on Aug 1, 2019 21:27:18 GMT
Posted: Aug 1, 2019 21:27:18 GMT
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Status: Failed treatment for L.B.A. and G.A.S,
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on Aug 3, 2019 0:20:40 GMT
Posted: Aug 3, 2019 0:20:40 GMT
Thanks for that link. It did help to answer why the one old style sync cord that came with the bellows didn't work with any film bodies I tried. It had 2 female connectors, and wasn't a match for a 139, 137MA, RTS I or II, or FX-D. The dealer pages showed these came with 2 sync cables (1 push-on, and 1 screw-in), and mine doesn't match either one. My bellows came with 2 shutter releases too - both different, and both single - although the box packing insert is sized and shaped to accept a dual release. I've only used this on digital bodies so far, and didn't have a need for the normal cables... just a locking shutter release to hold in the DOF preview button to keep from shaking the whole setup. The FX-1 is working fine, and just happened to be the closest body to grab when setting things up to shoot a pic. Seems I'll have to find something appropriate to address the sync issue for film with a correct cable, but I don't see why the FX-1 wouldn't work too. It does have the same sync connector as the RTS I. |
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Group: Moderator
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Status: Long, long time Contax and Yashica user; glad to be here and hope to contribute.
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on Aug 4, 2019 11:41:44 GMT
Posted: Aug 4, 2019 11:41:44 GMT
Hi lumiworx,
I have a couple of the Yashica Focusing Rails and can assure you that other than the nameplate, they are identical to the Contax ones. Indeed, I also bought an old, boxed Delta Auto Bellows which, for £24, came unused with a C/Y mount and included a Focusing Rail, adapter rings and, surprise, surprise, that Focusing Rail is identical to the Yashica and Contax models. I don't know who the actual manufacturer was but the quality of the Yashica Bellows System and even more , the Contax swing and tilt Bellows, attests to them being a top quality producer. I'd love to know who they were.
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Group: Moderator
Post: 2,040 (563 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 Aug 14, 2019 9:56:37 GMT
Posted: Aug 14, 2019 9:56:37 GMT
I'm not sure whether this is a Macro-fest or FX-A -fest but either way, this piccie deserves an airing here. I sent it originally to yashicasailorboy's Yashica group on Flickr but thought you guys might like to see it if you are not familiar with his group.
I've previously posted a piccie of the ML 100 f3.5 here before hence it's just the 55 f2.8, 100 f4 and DX 50 f2 with Extension Tubes...
Yash FX-A macro fun |
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