Group: Moderator
Post: 2,031 (560 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 Oct 19, 2020 14:46:20 GMT
Posted: Oct 19, 2020 14:46:20 GMT
This little charmer is now over 60 years old but still works perfectly. YASHICA YKThe YK was in effect a budget version of the Yashica 35. This particular one was manufactured in August 1959 and it is a testament to Yashica's build quality in its earliest days that this is still a fully functional camera. Although the YL has a slightly better specification (plus there is a rare YL2 version with a faster f1.9 lens), it's strangely stepped top plate is less elegant than that of the YK. It is pleasing to report that both the YK and YL cameras are still in working order, as for that matter is their older sibling the Yashica 35. I should take a group piccie some day - if I can find a YL with the faster lens at a sensible price.
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Group: Administrator
Post: 1,010 (77 liked)
Join date: January 2014
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on Oct 20, 2020 1:28:41 GMT
Posted: Oct 20, 2020 1:28:41 GMT
Definitely a great looking camera. I liked the results from my YK, but it's hard to focus because the beam splitter is worn out.
PF
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Group: Moderator
Post: 2,031 (560 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 Dec 31, 2021 16:39:32 GMT
Posted: Dec 31, 2021 16:39:32 GMT
Having managed to find both versions of the YL (f1.8 and f2.8 lenses), it seemed only fair to find another YK to keep my existing one company; so here it is... Yashica 35 YK BoxedThe serial number shows that it was built a few months after the first one; this was manufactured in November 1959. According to the person from whom it was bought, it had been kept in its box since its one and only outing in February 1960. I can believe this to be true as the box and leather case are in pretty good condition considering they've been stored for over 60 years, and the camera is immaculate. Even the tiny Yashica leather case housing the lens hood is in top condition. The build quality is very high and although the specification of the YK does not match the 35 or YL, it's a more than adequate performer in most conditions. That lens is a delight.
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Group: Member
Post: 435 (15 liked)
Join date: July 2016
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on Dec 31, 2021 21:45:50 GMT
Posted: Dec 31, 2021 21:45:50 GMT
Great find, biggles! I recently aquired a Yashica 35, seems to be a late 58 model, with the 45/2.8 Lens. Some sources say, the faster lenses often had issues with the glass elements.
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Group: Moderator
Post: 2,031 (560 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 Dec 31, 2021 23:33:31 GMT
Posted: Dec 31, 2021 23:33:31 GMT
Great find, biggles! I recently aquired a Yashica 35, seems to be a late 58 model, with the 45/2.8 Lens. Some sources say, the faster lenses often had issues with the glass elements. Hi lenslover and Happy New Year! Thank you for your kind comment. I was unaware of there being issues with the glass in the faster lens version of the Yashica 35; do you know what the problems were? I can only comment on the 2 copies I have but they are both fine. Well done on grabbing that 35 - it's a really well made camera and could well last another 63 years or more! The regular lens is a really good performer and I'm not sure that the faster lens is a major improvement on the f2.8. I'm sure you will have years of pleasure ahead of you using the Yashica 35. Although modern cameras are truly amazing in their capabilities, I'll always be a heavy metal fan - both musically and photographically!
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Group: Member
Post: 435 (15 liked)
Join date: July 2016
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on Jan 1, 2022 13:52:25 GMT
Last Edit: Jan 1, 2022 13:55:05 GMT by lenslover
Happy new Year biggles! Yes, the lens isn't into the best shape, according to the japanese seller - it was being cleaned, but no fungus, he said. The Yashica 35 is the classical Contax II/a Design - and i really wanted that body for a affordable price, into good or great shape during the past >2 decades. I still haven't opened the Box, which i picked up yesterday, can you image? All i can say is, the Body was described at EXC 5+ condition, the Serial-No. starts with "660xxx", and it was a rare japanese auction, whereas i could use the direct pay via bank wire transfer option. Sadly, 95% of all japanese eBay auctions do miss that point - for german users.
Funny thing though, biggles. I am listening to heavy metal since the 80's.
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Group: Administrator
Post: 1,366 (301 liked)
Join date: February 2017
Status: Failed treatment for L.B.A. and G.A.S,
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on Jan 1, 2022 20:53:10 GMT
Last Edit: Jan 1, 2022 21:05:31 GMT by lumiworx
Those 2 words defined me once I discovered the 'other' rock-n-roll, and kept me fed (and soooo much more) while working in bar bands in the 70's and 80's. They also remind me of the spectacular comics and the 2 animated movies they spawned - that happened to be titled "Heavy Metal". Oh how I wish I still had the stacks of them I'd saved through my youth. The " Heavy Metal" Comic is still available via subscription or back issues. I personally think it was the inspiration for the entire comic book industry to redefine itself, with a decidedly adult perspective, in bolder graphics and larger sized editions. The 1st movie, and IMHO, it was the better of the two they made... Heavy Metal, with John Candy, Eugene Levy, and Joe Flaherty as voice actors - and the 2nd, with w/ Michael Ironside, Julie Strain, and Billy Idol, was Heavy Metal 2000Of course, these will be curious old relics, unless you were a child of the 60's/70's EDIT: A quick search shows that both movies are currently streaming for free via Amazon Prime and the IMDb channel.
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Join date: August 2016
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on Jan 2, 2022 14:08:15 GMT
Posted: Jan 2, 2022 14:08:15 GMT
Not to get off-topic, but I happened to run across a very nice Yashica YE on EBAY yesterday -- bids starting at $1. I just checked, and it is currently at $2.25. Sure, the shutter is dead, but it would make a very attractive paperweight! FYI!!
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Group: Administrator
Post: 1,366 (301 liked)
Join date: February 2017
Status: Failed treatment for L.B.A. and G.A.S,
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on Jan 3, 2022 1:52:50 GMT
Last Edit: Jan 3, 2022 1:55:23 GMT by lumiworx
Not to get off-topic, but I happened to run across a very nice Yashica YE on EBAY yesterday -- bids starting at $1. I just checked, and it is currently at $2.25. Sure, the shutter is dead, but it would make a very attractive paperweight! FYI!! Sorry Yes... I tend to wander occasionally. :) I just got a fully working YE body a couple of weeks ago that's still in great working and cosmetic shape. That filled the one open slot in the Y series of rangefinders I had. It's now the time of year that keeps me inside, so it will be a bit longer before I can do a proper 'family photo' in daylight as I'm still experimenting on a final indoor setup that I'm happy with. That also means that I won't rush into getting a parts body until sometime later on so I can bank a few pennies on filling some other blank spaces in the early brass SLR's I'm still missing. I'll be the first one to acknowledge there's a long standing G.A.S.attack going on inside my 4 walls, but by the same token, I can't fathom me using what I'll have acquired when I'm closer to being done with it all for regular use, so I'm being picky and getting working gear as a priority. I might swing back around to get donors and parts for future projects. They seem to be reproducing on their own at this stage.
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