Thoughts on the Yashica D? Looking for a sub $200 TLR

TenSpeed · May 29, 2015

found a few yashica-d's for $144-$160, looks like a solid camera

Rick A · May 29, 2015

My first MF was a Yashica D back in the late 60's, owned a few of them since(along with several other Yashica TLR's models). The D remains my favorite, simple, well built, and multiple exposure capability. I traded my first D for a motorcycle in the early 70's, I got the short end of the deal(even though the bike was worth far more), I missed that camera. I should add here, I purchased that camera based on personal experience, I used the schools D when I was on the year book staff, I shot sports with it, and everything else(it was the only camera we had).

MarkF48 · May 29, 2015

I have one I bought back in the early 70's. It was my first MF camera and I still have it. It is capable of some very sharp images and easy to use. Mine has the problem now of a slow/sticky shutter at slower shutter speeds, so that might be something to watch out for. Below is an image I had on my computer taken with the "D". I'm guessing this may have been Plus X Pan 125 back when this was taken. The negative was scanned on a Canon 9950F flatbed scanner.

mooseontheloose · May 29, 2015

I've shot (and owned) a variety of TLRs, including many Yashica models. The D is definitely a solid performer, I never had any issues with it, and I'd be hard-pressed to tell the differences in images made between it and any other Yashicas I've owned.

darkosaric · May 29, 2015

Yashica is good, but for 200$() you can get also Rolleiflex automat X. I sold one recently on big auction site for less than 200. It is sharp wide open, supersharp on f8-f11, joy to use, light and small. Only viewfinder is not very bright.

Jim Jones · May 29, 2015

I agree with Darko. A Yashica TLR with the Yashinon lens can record fine photographs while it is in good working order, but a Rollie should work longer. There are differences in price and convenience between a D, 635, LM, 124, and other models with the Yashinon lens, but no difference in performance.

Paul Howell · May 29, 2015

I have both a D and 124, I like my D, rugged, capable of double exposure. The D's were made with either a 3 element or 4 element lens, the same lends that are found on the 124. I think the 3 element lens have a 3.5 taking lens rather than the 2.8 found on the 4 element lens. The 124 with the crank is faster and you can shoot 220 in it, not much of a factor as there is only 1 film still available in 220.

Dan Daniel · May 29, 2015

Later Ds have the Yashinon lens, the same Tessar-type lens as on the Yashica-Mat series. Most Ds have the three-element Yashikor. I think that Yashica just ran out of Yashikor lenses and decided not to do a new production run and use up the Yashinon stockpile. Most Ds with the Yashinon that I have seen (and owned three) have a black bottom ring, as on the 124G model, which again makes me think that they were doing small runs using available parts.

The D is simpler and hence more reliable than the Yashica-Mat. Old shutters are prone to drag, no matter which camera. And the focus system on this design of TLRs (similar to the Rolleiflex and Rolleicord) can be a weak point. Test both systems. Open the lens on B and shine a light through- often the front of the rear group has an oil residue. Check that the edge of the back is aligned to the main body, lens shroud is aligned, focus hood sits cleanly.

You are in the area of the price of a usable Rolleicord, also. The Xenar on them is a Tessar-type and very nice. I have a Va in the classified right now, for example. Any of these old cameras has an element of risk in most purchases, especially from places like Ebay.

macfred · May 29, 2015

Never had a `D´(but a 124 and I can recommend it).
I traded mine a few years ago for a FUJI GA645, because I wanted to go light.
What about the Mamiya `C´ - series ?
If I would go for a TLR again, I will have a look at those.

Ko.Fe. · May 29, 2015

If you do mostly BW and print this might help:

I had three 124G and sold them all. I guess D build is better, but if it is with the same lens as in 124G...

I also had Yashica A SII with older lens and Mamiya C33 with two "blue dot" lenses. Sold them as well.
Lenses on those TLRs were sharp and contrasty, but this is it.
Finally, after trying of old, beaten Rolleicord III which I have to CLA, I purchased V from APUG member.

I don't know why, but its simple triplet has the character, which I never seen with more complicated Japanese optics, where it is just sharpness and contrast. Which is fine for color film, but boring and flat in BW.
The cameras as well. You'll pay more, but Rolleicord itself, the way camera feels and how they build them worth extra $. It is not ideal, nor it is perfect, but special and classy.

leicarfcam · May 29, 2015

My opinion is the Yashica D is the best of the Yashica Mats. I currently have 2 but I would advise you get one with the Yashinon lens..

hamradio · May 29, 2015

Nothing wrong with a Yashica D. I'd say I like them a little more than the 12, 24, 124, etc...the meter linkage in models with non-selenium meter often fall victim to dust. and even when working, aren't anything to write home about. Not worth the extra coin for a 124g.

The A is also a very nice camera and fairly cheap, often under $75. Ruby window for frame spacing, triplet lens, no slow speeds to get gummed up. My personal favorite after owning a pile of Ds, a 24, 124g, yashicamat M. I feel it's the most likely to just work when buying in questionable used condition.

also, don't overlook Rolleicords. Often a nice 'cord is the same price as a yashica tlr, these days.

Richard S. (rich815) · May 29, 2015

I've tried all the more common TLRs...Yashica, Minolta, Rolleiflex and Rolleicords. They all have their champions and so forth. In my book, assuming good condition and similar price, there is no reason to get anything other than a Rollei. Hands down better build quality and long-term repair ability. Get a good 'cord or T, as mentioned, or go see if you can make an offer to this guy and work something out (it's even fully CLA'd which makes it a great price):

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

TenSpeed · May 29, 2015

macfred said:
Never had a `D´(but a 124 and I can recommend it).
I traded mine a few years ago for a FUJI GA645, because I wanted to go light.
What about the Mamiya `C´ - series ?
If I would go for a TLR again, I will have a look at those.

considered a mamiya C series but they seem larger and heavier

Rick A · May 29, 2015

TenSpeed said:
considered a mamiya C series but they seem larger and heavier

Yes they are. However, the trade off is versatility, via interchangeable lenses and view finders. You can keep it simple with the 220 or step up to the 330, and still have multi exposure with either. I've owned both Mamiyas, and several Yashicas, prefer the Yashica D.

Nick Merritt · May 29, 2015

Not too much to add to others' comments except to mention that these are well-made cameras, whatever vintage. I have one of the earlier ones with the 3-element Yashikor, and one with the 4-element Yashinon. The Yashikor does quite well, I find, and I wouldn't turn my nose up at it. Note that the Ds with the Yashinon have an f2.8 viewing lens (as opposed to f3.5 for the earlier versions), which can help in lower light situations. All versions of the D have an f3.5 taking lens.

My main reservation about the D is its lack of double exposure prevention. You can also wind on to the next frame without taking a picture. So you need to remember what you're doing -- either make it a practice to always wind to the next frame immediately after taking a picture, or only when you're about to take the next picture. The Rolleicords, which have a mechanism preventing double exposure and skipped frames (but do let you take multiple exposures), are superior in this regard.

Finally, I'd like to think you can find a nice D for well under $100.

Gerald C Koch · May 30, 2015

The D is a solid performer but the asking price is too high. Whatever you find carefully check it out before purchasing. BTW, the photos on e-trash are often photoshopped to make cameras look better. After several bad experiences I refuse to buy from their site.

Brett Rogers · May 30, 2015

A Yashica might look solid. For the same money a Rolleicord is solid. I love my TL Electro X, but the company's earlier efforts with medium format impress me much less. Not necessarily the optics, because I've seen enough pics taken with the Yashinon lenses to know they're plenty sharp. More the materials and build quality. Metal that's thinner, or perhaps just not as high quality as a Rollei and which is more brittle, bent finders that break when you try to straigten them, shutters that would cross thread and strip their threads when you insert the lenses into them in the absence of extreme care, and, generally, just a feeling when handling one, that whilst they might look somewhat similar to a Rollei, they're altogether cheaper and nastier feeling. Of course, it is all relative. I'm not saying the Yashicas are necessarily bad cameras. But I've also read enough comments from some owners over the years, asserting that theirs are every bit as good as a Rollei in ever way, and that is, in a word, baloney.

Sewin · May 30, 2015

I like mine, solid and nice bright screen.

The price might be slightly high though, I got a pristine one for approx $120 in the UK.

One thing to watch, you'll need a "Leica nipple"

fotch · May 30, 2015

Seems kinda expensive but then that's just me & I am not buying.

Thoughts on the Yashica D? Looking for a sub $200 TLR

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