Yashica 635

[Matt5791]

Anyone know what the Yashica 635 camera is like - I'm looking for a back up 120 camera. I see this model also takes 35mm film - interesting.

Thanks for any thoughts,

Matt

 

[gnashings]

I was under the impression that it only took 35mm film - but I am not at all sure.

Peter.

 

[ricksplace]

I'm pretty sure you need a 35mm kit to shoot 35 in this camera. They were set up for 120. The Yashicas are pretty good tlrs in general. Google a search on the 635 and you should find out which lenses to avoid. (Yashimar, Lumaxar come to mind. Yashikor and Yashinon are the better lenses with Yashinon being the best (4 element) choice)

I have Yashica D. Yashinon lenses and knob auto-spacing wind. Excellent lens on a basic camera. An excellent shooter.

 

[reellis67]

It shoots 120, and if you can find the 35mm kit you can switch between 120 and 35mm. The 35mm kit is often missing so if you really want it, be sure to verify it's existence before purchasing. The lenses are supposed to be the better version (Yashinon) if I remember correctly; I never had one. I have a Yahsica 12 and really like it.

- Randy

 

[rjs003]

The 635 that I once owned took great 120 format pictures. The 35mm was another story. First you need a conversion kit; then you can only shoot with the film in the one perspective , unless you turn the camera on it's side . Try shooting like that.
The lens on the 635 in most cases wasn't the Yashinon, which is the best that was offered by Yashica. For about the same money or even a little less I would suggest the 124 or a 124G. the 124 was a little bit more rugged construction. Whatever you decide, either camera will be a joy to use.

 

[Kevin Roach]

I had one of these at one time. The 35mm feature was a bit unwieldy. I found it better to just use 120 in the yashica and carry a rangefinder 35mm in my pocket. I had a difficult search for the 35mm converter. It ended up costing much more than the camera. But I sold it eventually for a small profit.

 

[Trond]

I have the 635 with the Yashinon lens. It's a good camera with 120 film, but I think it's pretty pointless to use 35mm film in it. A weird idea to make such a hybrid camera.

Trond