Very odd Yashicaflex!

[Cromlech]

Hello everyone,

I just received my Yashicaflex TLR in the mail. This is an odd camera, amd I can't find a manual for it. Here's a description:

Yashimar 80mm lens, with a copal shutter @ f 3.5.

Cold shoe on left hand side

Film is loaded from the bottom by swinging a hinge to the side then popping open the bottom.

On the back, there is no frame count finder of any kind.

There are only knobs on the side, no cranks.

The name plate only says: "Yashicaflex".

Stamp date is Jan 26, 1957 - serial number is 90822.

What camera is this, and how will I know what frame I am on?

Richard

PS. Paid about $100 for this camera.

 

[blockend]

Is there a red window through which the number on the paper backing can be read?

 

[MattKing]

Is there no red window (possibly with a cover) on the back?

Does this link help?

http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/Yashica_6%C3%976_TLR_%28knob_advance%29#The_Yashimaflex_and_Yashicaflex

 

[hpulley]

Red window. Manual winding, keep winding until the next film number is in the window, it won't stop anywhere, you have to stop at the right time.

 

[jp498]

If it's like my yashica-c, the frames are counted in a window above the focusing knob on the right. Film is advanced by pressing the button on the other big knob and rotating the knob to wind the film. Let go of the button as it starts to advance, and it locks back into place when it gets to the next frame. Yashica TLRs are nice cameras to use.

 

[Cromlech]

Is there a red window through which the number on the paper backing can be read?

No such window, at all. I can post pictures if anyone is interested.

 

[Cromlech]

If it's like my yashica-c, the frames are counted in a window above the focusing knob on the right. Film is advanced by pressing the button on the other big knob and rotating the knob to wind the film. Let go of the button as it starts to advance, and it locks back into place when it gets to the next frame. Yashica TLRs are nice cameras to use.

This has solved the problem for the window - Thank you! I was expecting a red window on the back. Now, the window reads 1... What is the best way to reset it? There is no film inside.

Also, does anyone have any idea what model Yashica this is?

Mattking: I was on that website earlier, and none of them matched the description of my camera. The closest was the Yashica A, but it seems to have features of the Yashica-C as well.

 

[hpulley]

I thought the early ones had a red window. The C and D instead have a counter on the side but I didn't think they were that old.

Post some pics please...

 

[blockend]

To be clear, 120 roll film has a paper backing which protects it from daylight. There's plenty of paper leader so it's nerve wracking the first time you load up, with arrows and dashes coming through while you crank the advance until the magic number 1 appears in the window. Flick the cover over if it has one until you advance to frame 2, and so on. When you've finished keep winding until all the film is on the take up spool and lick the gummed strip to seal, ensuring the paper backing and film is in a nice tight roll.

Roll film has numbers at different heights to register 6 x 9cm, 6 x 8, 6 x 7, 6 x 6, 6 x 4.5 (or should have!).

edit: looks like you solved things

 

[Cromlech]

Please post pics...

Here you are, a view from all sides, and the bottom, along with the stamp date:

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l1/Sherab0/P1010931.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l1/Sherab0/P1010933.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l1/Sherab0/P1010934.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l1/Sherab0/P1010935.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l1/Sherab0/P1010937.jpg

 

[MattKing]

Looks like the early Yashicaflex S pictured here:

http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/Yashica.html

What shutter speed range does it have? Are there filter threads or a bayonet connection for filters on the lens?

 

[Cromlech]

Looks like the early Yashicaflex S pictured here:

http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/Yashica.html

What shutter speed range does it have? Are there filter threads or a bayonet connection for filters on the lens?

Hi Matt:
Shutter speeds range from B, 1/10th, and all the way up to 1/200th. There is no shutter release cable slot near the shutter.

There is no kind of threading on the lenses.

 

[MattKing]

Hi Matt:
Shutter speeds range from B, 1/10th, and all the way up to 1/200th. There is no shutter release slot near the shutter.

There is no kind of threading on the lenses.

Then it definitely sounds like that pictured Yashicaflex S

 

[Cromlech]

Then it definitely sounds like that pictured Yashicaflex S

The only problem is that the shutter release is beneath the shutter, on the front

 

[hpulley]

Looks like the AII:

http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/slides/Yashicaflex A.html

Though the waist level finder lid on yours is a bit different. Is it removable?

 

[Cromlech]

Looks like the AII:

http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/slides/Yashicaflex A.html

Though the waist level finder lid on yours is a bit different. Is it removable?

Yes, it seems to be the AII, except with the Yashica emblem on the top.

Maybe a replacement part, who knows...

Now, what is the best way to clean one of these? The ground glass is filthy.
Will 80cc cleaner and lens tissue do?

Hpulley: I'm new to TLRs, so I have no idea how to remove it. It very well may be.

Looking at the prices for the AII, I saved over $50, but I only found one other for sale. Cool.
Update: Yes, it seems to have been replaced, as the screws holding the top area in place are all the same - smaller versions of the body type screws - Except for one at the top, that also looks much more recent.

 

[BobD]

The little round window above the focus knob should be the frame counter.

 

[Cromlech]

The little round window above the focus knob should be the frame counter.

It is indeed. Any idea on how it resets?

It currently reads "1".

 

[maarten m]

Any idea on how it resets?

i think it resets when you insert a film.
do you have pictures of the bottom?

the round indentation in the front: is there a screwthread visible there?
it might be where the cablerelease is fitted.

maarten.

 

[Rick A]

The counter will automatically reset when the back is opened. Insert a fresh roll of film in the lower spool position, move the empty spool to the upper position. Insert the tab on the film backing into the slot in the upper spool and wind the film until the start arrows on the backing paper align with the start arrow on the camera then close the back. Wind the film until the number 1 shows in the window above the focus knob on the right side, it should stop on its own. After each shot, push the button and advance the film, it will automatically stop at the next frame. I dont know if that model automatically cocks the shutter or if you must manually cock the shutter on the side of the lens like the C and D models.

 

[toro_mike]

I don't think this type automatically resets the counter. Others do when you close and lock the back. My Yashica TLR is like this, where it has the little, round switch between the advance knob and focus knob. I seem to think that you push the film advance button, then push the little switch upwards and it resets the camera to S, which stands for Start. It's something like that. If nobody chimes in, I'll check mine when I return home from work.

Mike

 

[toro_mike]

The counter will automatically reset when the back is opened. Insert a fresh roll of film in the lower spool position, move the empty spool to the upper position. Insert the tab on the film backing into the slot in the upper spool and wind the film until the start arrows on the backing paper align with the start arrow on the camera then close the back. Wind the film until the number 1 shows in the window above the focus knob on the right side, it should stop on its own. After each shot, push the button and advance the film, it will automatically stop at the next frame. I dont know if that model automatically cocks the shutter or if you must manually cock the shutter on the side of the lens like the C and D models.

Hmmm... That could be, but I'm sure he's had the back open at least once (one of the photos seems to show this) and it still shows 1 (of course, perhaps he didn't relock it?) If that is the case, then look at my vague instructions

 

[Cromlech]

i think it resets when you insert a film.
do you have pictures of the bottom?

the round indentation in the front: is there a screwthread visible there?
it might be where the cablerelease is fitted.

maarten.

Hi maarten,

Yes, there is an indentation: I will try it with the shutter release cable I have now.

I do not have a picture of the bottom - that is where you open the camera to insert the film.

Ralnphot: Shutter is cocked manually.

Mike: I will see f opening the back resets the shutter. I have a feeling that it does not. What "little switch" ? I will go and grab the camera now.

 

[Cromlech]

Maarten: No, that was not fr a shutter release cable - at least not a standard one.

Mike: Opening the back does NOT reset the frame counter. In fact, even after firing the shutter and pressing the button and winding the knob - it did not move from "1".

 

[ic-racer]

Maarten: No, that was not fr a shutter release cable - at least not a standard one.

Mike: Opening the back does NOT reset the frame counter. In fact, even after firing the shutter and pressing the button and winding the knob - it did not move from "1".

See toro_mike's post above.