Talk me out of a flawless Yashica Lynx 14 DX

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
53,097
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
I just think it is funny that j-dogg went to APUG to be talked out of buying a camera
 

Steve Smith

Member
Joined
May 3, 2006
Messages
9,109
Location
Ryde, Isle o
Format
Medium Format
This thread is in danger of veering back on topic!


Steve.
 

Chrismat

Subscriber
Joined
May 28, 2011
Messages
1,286
Location
Brewer, Maine
Format
Multi Format
Sorry, I can't talk you out of the Yashica 14 especially since I have one and love it. Unless, of course, you'd like to donate it to me.

Chris M.
 

JBrunner

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Dec 14, 2005
Messages
7,429
Location
PNdub
Format
Medium Format
No matter what you do the negative will always be 80 square inches short of that of a Kodak 2D.
 

Steve Smith

Member
Joined
May 3, 2006
Messages
9,109
Location
Ryde, Isle o
Format
Medium Format
JBrunner said:
No matter what you do the negative will always be 80 square inches short of that of a Kodak 2D.
Click to expand...

Don't get him upset. It's only 78.67 square inches short!

Yesterday, I saw a Contax AX in the window of my local camera shop. It's amazing that something that large only produces postage stamp sized negatives. I have smaller medium format cameras.


Steve.
 
OP
OP

j-dogg

Member
Joined
Jun 26, 2010
Messages
1,542
Location
Floor-it-duh
Format
Multi Format
The focus is off by a good amount, which is surprising as it looks like it's never been used. I'm going to see about correcting this.
 

Steve Smith

Member
Joined
May 3, 2006
Messages
9,109
Location
Ryde, Isle o
Format
Medium Format
Do you mean the rangefinder is off?


Steve.
 
OP
OP

j-dogg

Member
Joined
Jun 26, 2010
Messages
1,542
Location
Floor-it-duh
Format
Multi Format
When I focus to something through the viewfinder that's 8' away when it's in focus on the viewfinder the lens barrel reads 5'. Infinity focus = 9'.

Only way to know is put a roll through it.
 

Steve Smith

Member
Joined
May 3, 2006
Messages
9,109
Location
Ryde, Isle o
Format
Medium Format
I would shoot half the roll using the rangefinder (ignoring the distance scale) and the other half of the roll using the distance scale only.

If the rangefinder images of something far away* do not line up with the lens set to infinity then I think it's more likely that the rangefinder needs adjusting rather than the lens being wrong.

* I test these things on distant street lights at night. If you can find an un-obscured view of one about a mile away, you get a good small dot of light to check with.


Steve.
 
OP
OP

j-dogg

Member
Joined
Jun 26, 2010
Messages
1,542
Location
Floor-it-duh
Format
Multi Format
Not a bad idea. Tomorrow I'll begin the search for a battery for it, and I'll load a roll of film in it and seal off the door with electrical tape. There are plenty of opportunities for that test shot; there is a line of about 70 street lamps along Highway US1 here that I will do.

I also want to check the meter vs. my Nikkormat which is about 1/3rd under and my EOS Canon 5D digital which is dead-nuts accurate.

If I can get this thing working in good order I may have found my street rig that isn't a 5d and doesn't need 14 lenses to come with it.
 

Diapositivo

Subscriber
Joined
Nov 1, 2009
Messages
3,257
Location
Rome, Italy
Format
35mm
I wouldn't shoot any roll to confirm something that you already know, that the range-finder is off. If the camera doesn't show any damage, the lens should be fine. To misfocus that way it should be quite a few millimetres off its normal seat. The repairer who aligned the rangefinder of my Vito CLR uses a distant antenna (TV aerial) around 30 or 40 metres away (on top of an eight-store apartment building, the building basement is some 20 metres away), I suspect it is not true infinity, and a more distant object would be better, as said.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,389
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format

Actually on this side of the Pond, we are rather fond of taking the Fifth. Of course the Fifth is much better if it is based on the Imperial Gallon rather than the wimpy U. S. Standard Gallon.

2 Young
2 Drink
4 Roses

Steve
 
OP
OP

j-dogg

Member
Joined
Jun 26, 2010
Messages
1,542
Location
Floor-it-duh
Format
Multi Format
Sirius Glass said:
Actually on this side of the Pond, we are rather fond of taking the Fifth. Of course the Fifth is much better if it is based on the Imperial Gallon rather than the wimpy U. S. Standard Gallon.

2 Young
2 Drink
4 Roses

Steve
Click to expand...

We are even more fond of pleading the Fifth.
 

zsas

Member
Joined
May 12, 2011
Messages
1,955
Location
Chicago, IL
Format
35mm RF
Sorry to hear...that is not fun re the focus being off.

Maybe send it in for a CLA? I am not sure a mere mortal can adjust it without some expertise? That RF mechanism is very confusing.

The Yashica Guy (www.yashica-guy.com/index.html) does not advise doing it since it takes a bit of know how.

I believe there is a guy on RFF (Russ) who does a CLA for $50 of a Yashica (www.camerarefurb.com).

I think there is also Mark Hama (www.markhama.com)

Maybe reach out to them?

I am sure other Apug'ers can recommend other RF CLA pros?

My Linx was fine on the focus so I have not had it CLA'd. I opened it up and cleaned parts of the RF (not the beamsplitter since you can possibly rub of the coating - be careful here if you even attempt to open the RF).
 
OP
OP

j-dogg

Member
Joined
Jun 26, 2010
Messages
1,542
Location
Floor-it-duh
Format
Multi Format
50 bucks for a CLA? Yep, this one might be going off to the professionals.

I can do the seals and battery, but if a CLA is 50 bucks for this then I'll do what I can and leave the adjustment to the pros. Unless the seals are included then I'll turn them loose on that too.

I've done shutter replacements, lens repair, but it's all SLR and DSLR stuff, I've never been inside a RF so I just might send it off. Thanks.
 

zsas

Member
Joined
May 12, 2011
Messages
1,955
Location
Chicago, IL
Format
35mm RF
JDog, I believe Russ' CLA includes new seals!

He seems like a highly respected Yashica repair person over at RFF. I have seen many positive posts over there about his work.

The below page has a description of his $50 CLA, maybe check RFF for some feedback of Russ' work or maybe some Apug'er can comment?

I believe his handle at RFF is b1bmsgt:

http://www.camerarefurb.com/Services.htm

Mark Hama is also a legend when it comes to the Yashica RFs. I believe he used to live in Japan and actually assembled the Yashica RF cameras. He is in the states somewhere...I would think new seals come with his CLA but you should call/email him for a quote. If the seals are included in a CLA, dont waste the $10 for it and have it done as part of the CLA, save the cash for some film!

Mark's site:
www.markhama.com

Any Apug'er used Mark that can comment on his service? Or any other RF CLA'er for Yashica RFs?

Wish you the best, you will LOVE this camera!!!!!!! You basically have a Leica with a 1.4 lens for no where near the cost...
 

SafetyBob

Member
Joined
Apr 19, 2011
Messages
290
Location
Yukon, OK
Format
Medium Format
I have a beautiful example of a Lynx 14 minus one battery cover/door. I just looked at it for the first time in a long time this past weekend. Reminded myself I must get a battery door for this thing. I can't wait to us it. My other Lynx does beautiful......amazing photos with B&W.

Every rangerfinder I have that has come back from a CLA has become a wonderful, useful camera that I love to use and still makes the neighbors wonder what's wrong with me. Digital? Yup, use it on occassion, but nothing beats the classic pictures that come from a classic camera.......

Get that thing a good CLA and you will quickly find that you have an amazing camera.

Bob E.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…