Yaschica 12 question

[Nancy Giroux]

Hi
I just bought a Yaschica 12 on Ebay for my 16 yr old son. I want to test it out before I give it to him as a Christmas gift. The camera does not have a manual. Does anyone know where I could find a manual on line. Also, does anyone know what type of battery this camera uses?
Thanks!!
Nancy

 

[DBP]

If you can find a manual for the 24, 124 or the 124G, the camera is essentially the same except for being unable to handle 220. Frankly, a manual for almost any TLR will get you most of the way there. I learned to shoot with a TLR (Argoflex EM) when I was 11, and still haven't read a manual for that or any other one. IIRC the battery is one of the old mercury cells, so you need to use zinc-air cells or an adapter. I use a hand held meter with mine, or just look at the shadows and sky. Good choice. I picked up one for a friend a few years back and she has been happy.

 

[reellis67]

Try here for a 124 manual, which should be almost identical to your 12. I have a Yashica 12 at home, but don't have a manual for it.

http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/instructionmanuals.html

- Randy

 

[reellis67]

Ah! I knew I had a link somewhere. Here is the link to a 124 manual, which as stated above will be very much like your 12

http://mikec62.tripod.com/manuals.html

- Randy

 

[Nancy Giroux]

Thank you so much for the information on the battery and the link to the manual. The link to the manual was a huge help. I ran an old roll of film through the camera just to get the hang of loading it, etc. The roll of film was packed with the camera and was from 1989. My only problem was that it got stuck at the end of the roll and wouldn't come off the spool without me opening up the camera. I just loaded a roll of TriX and will test the camera out this weekend. I'll use my hand held meter and will forgo the battery at this time. I want to make sure the camera works properly before giving it to my son. Putting the empty spool in the uptake area is tricky. I think that will take some practice. Hopefully, I will be able top post a few photos from this weekend. Thanks a million for your help!!!
Nancy

 

[reellis67]

I usually use a hand-held meter with all my older cameras. It can be a pain in the butt at times, but poorly exposed negatives are a bigger pain. Good luck with the camera, and congratulations on your decision to givie your son a gift that inspires creativity.

- Randy

 

[kb244]

I usually use a hand-held meter with all my older cameras. It can be a pain in the butt at times, but poorly exposed negatives are a bigger pain. Good luck with the camera, and congratulations on your decision to givie your son a gift that inspires creativity.

- Randy

You could always rig some kind of shoe-mounted flash since most of the yashicas do have a cold-shoe on the top left side of the camera.

 

[Nancy Giroux]

Again, thank you all for you help!
I ran a roll of TriX through the camera. I used my hand held meter and was very pleased with the images the camera produced! I can't wait to give this to my son on Christmas! There are a couple of things that are going to take some practice though.
1. Popping the film spool holder into the take up area. I don't know why, but this was very awkward for me.
2. The focus screen is very dim. I'm use to a nice bright Bronica screen.
Has anyone ever replaced the screen on their Yaschica? Probably not a big deal for my son, because he has young eyes. My eyes are not what they use to be!
Here's an image from the roll of TriX that I ran through the camera.

 

[Nathan Smith]

Yashica TLR screen

I have not replaced the screen before, but I've taken these beasties apart plenty of times. After all these years it may well need a good cleaning. I would try cleaning the ground glass & fresnel lens first, that usually brightens things up a bit.

You can clean the ground glass and fresnel lens in warm water, perhaps with a touch of soap but make sure you rinse it well. Don't scrub either piece. The fresnel lens in particular is prone to scratching, just rinse it off well and pat dry with a soft towel.

The mirror may be dirty as well. Be VERY careful cleaning that. A light wipe with a dampened piece of lens paper held with tweezers is ok - remember this is a 1st-surface mirror so you don't want to rub it as the silver can come off. If the mirror is found to be bad you can replace it with one out of a Polaroid camera, the type where the film comes out the front.

Nathan

... Has anyone ever replaced the screen on their Yaschica? Probably not a big deal for my son, because he has young eyes. My eyes are not what they use to be!
Here's an image from the roll of TriX that I ran through the camera.

 

[Nancy Giroux]

Wow..thanks so much for the detailed description on how to clean the camera.
It's a lovely little camera!

 

[DBP]

I replaced my screen with one from Bill Maxwell, and it made a world of difference. It almost looks illuminated. Removing the finder is really easy, just four tiny screws.

 

[Nancy Giroux]

Thanks so much for the cleaning directions. I checked out the Bill Maxwell screens and they cost more than the camera! LOL I will keep that in mind though. I really appreciate all the help!