Yashica D Question

LyleB · Jul 1, 2010

I just received a Yashica D that I purchased from Ebay. The camera looks great, however I cannot get the shutter to fire. The cocking lever seems to move very freely, without doing anything, no resistance. Same with the shutter release, moves without any resistance. The shutter does not trip.

Any suggestions? I mean other than returning the camera or sending it in for a costly repair. Anything to try?

prumpkah · Jul 1, 2010

I think you've covered the main options, alas.

JPD · Jul 1, 2010

Yes, return it or send it for CLA. The shutter is probably already cocked but can't fire due to hardened grease, dirt or a mechanical problem.

jp498 · Jul 1, 2010

I could have been fired on self-timer, but the timer is gummed up and won't count-down. (CLA would fix that).

I'd consult someone who fixes/cla's yashicas and take their advice on whether to return it or send it in.

http://www.deansphotographica.com/deans_of_idaho/repair_pics/repair_page.html is where I sent my yashica-C.

LyleB · Jul 1, 2010

Thanks folks.

I've fired off emails to KEH and also Dean Photographica. I've used KEH before and been very satisfied, but they were more expensive.

LyleB · Jul 1, 2010

WOW!!!!

I sent an email to Dean Photographica, and less than 1/2 hour later I had a reply. He concurs that a CLA will probably solve the problem. Price quoted seems very reasonable. Just waiting to hear back from the seller now.

Thanks for the tip.

Anscojohn · Jul 1, 2010

Have you tried pushing in the film wind button and winding the film winding knob?

LyleB · Jul 1, 2010

Anscojohn said:
Have you tried pushing in the film wind button and winding the film winding knob?

Yeah, doing that does nothing.

jon koss · Jul 2, 2010

Yes - This is a good tip. Just check to see if the ST has been cocked. If so, then a tiny bit of manual pressure may coax the ST along until it releases the shutter. Also, if you can get a drop of lube into the self timer train, then it may allow the ST to run down and let the shutter trip. Just do not recock the ST. The camera may run fine after that. Good luck.

Jon

jp498 said:
I could have been fired on self-timer, but the timer is gummed up and won't count-down. (CLA would fix that).
I'd consult someone who fixes/cla's yashicas and take their advice on whether to return it or send it in.
http://www.deansphotographica.com/deans_of_idaho/repair_pics/repair_page.html is where I sent my yashica-C.

rjbuzzclick · Jul 2, 2010

Make sure that the flash sync lever is on X and not M when you use the self timer.

Anscojohn · Jul 2, 2010

jon koss said:
Yes - This is a good tip. Just check to see if the ST has been cocked. If so, then a tiny bit of manual pressure may coax the ST along until it releases the shutter. Also, if you can get a drop of lube into the self timer train, then it may allow the ST to run down and let the shutter trip. Just do not recock the ST. The camera may run fine after that. Good luck.

Jon

******************
Try opening the camera and placing it under an incandescnt desk lamp over night. Then try the movement of the ST as suggested. Sometimes warming up the congealed grease can free things up until you get a proper CLA.

My first "real" camera was a Yashica D.

Wade D · Jul 2, 2010

The Yashica D is a very robust camera. I doubt if anything is seriously wrong other than needing a CLA. I have 2 that I used for wedding photography in the 70's & 80's that are still going strong. Regular CLA's have kept them in very good shape.

Rick A · Jul 2, 2010

Anscojohn said:
Have you tried pushing in the film wind button and winding the film winding knob?

That has nothing to do with the shutter on a 'D' as they are not coupled. You can cock and fire the shutter all day long and not wind film (unwittingly or apurpose). My best guess is the ST is cocked and stuck, check to see if it is pushed toward the bottom of the lens housing. It may have gotten partially moved, and just needs to be gently nudged to finish activating.

LyleB · Jul 2, 2010

The ST lever does not move, it is not in the cocked position. Also I moved the shutter speed to B, and it will not move out of that position now. I did this long after noting that the shutter would not fire, so it wasn't the initial problem, but I read that it should not be moved once the shutter is cocked. If, in fact the shutter is cocked as many of you believe, did I add to the problem?

Still waiting to hear from the seller, but tending toward sending it in to Dean's. I will try warming it up, but I'm not real optimistic at this point. Worth a shot.

guitstik · Jul 2, 2010

The place to send it, not talking bad about Dean, is Mark Hama. I sent two of my Yashica Mat's to him and for $160.00 each (that included shipping) I got both back in "as new" condition and have had no problems with either of them in the two years and hundreds of rolls of film. Mark was a Yashica tech before they closed up shop and he bought all of the parts and tooling. In my mind he is the Yashica Guru to go to, I have never dealt with Dean so I can not speak to his work on these cameras.

Dan Daniel · Jul 3, 2010

I believe Mark Hama's price on a 'D overhaul is less than $160. Much simpler camera. And the nice thing is that pretty well any Copal MXV shutter from a 'Mat can be popped into the body and it'll be good to go. I put a 10-bladed aperture shutter from a busted EM into my Yashinon-lensed 'D and it works well, with very nice bokeh. So even if your shutter is broken, not just gummed up, it's not hard to get a working shutter into place.

LyleB · Jul 3, 2010

Thanks, still no response from the seller. I'll take responsibility for possibly making the situation worse, but the shutter was not operating as advertised in the first place, so I am annoyed that the seller has not responded. I've never left negative feedback, don't really want to. Will give the seller the benefit of the doubt for a few more days, till after the holiday weekend. This is a fairly prolific camera seller on Ebay, so he should know at least the basics of what he's selling.

Thanks to all for your replies.

EDIT: I also mentioned in another thread that I had also bid and won a Yashica A. It arrived from Canada yesterday, and appears to be operating flawlessly. I'm not "TOTALLY" incompetent with these shutters.

I'll be running some film through this camera today. Got this one nice and cheap. Not in pristine condition, but not a beater either.

guitstik · Jul 5, 2010

Before you leave negative feed back, get in touch with eBay support. they helped me out when I got a camera and lens that was not as advertised, unless they make two piece lenses now and nobody told me. Anyways, they should be able to get the seller to co-operate with you.

LyleB · Jul 14, 2010

Just an update:

Still no response from the seller, this guy is on my permanent "Do Not Buy" list. Knight Camera if anyone is considering buying from him.

I sent the Yashica D to Dean for a CLA/repair. Sent it in exactly one week ago tomorrow, he received the camera this past Saturday afternoon, and today notified me that it was finished, and that he had run a roll of film through it, and it was working well, as Dean put it - "It's a good shooter." Stated that it was indeed a gummed-up shutter, as many of you suspected. He will be sending it back to me in tomorrow's mail. Total charge $59 + shipping/insurance.

Having to have the CLA kinda blew any "good deal" that I got, but now I should have a fine camera to play with for quite some time.

guitstik · Jul 15, 2010

Damn, I just bought a few bay I tele lenses from Knight and they are beautiful. I bought a camera from another seller the same day and it still hasn't arrived. I bought a Yashica 24 for parts that has the same problem yours did. I may have to try Dean as this camera is to nice to just part out. Got it dirt cheap too so that's a plus. Good to hear that your "D" has been resurrected.

LyleB · Jul 15, 2010

Ok, hopefully the last update if all goes as it should.

I contacted Knight Camera through ebay, instead of via the email provided in the PayPal receipt and Shipping Notice. This time I received a prompt reply. Mr. Knight advised that the original email was probably deleted without reading it. States they get constant emails via PayPal, and ignore most. He still insists that the camera was tested and working fine prior to listing, could not explain why it did not work when I received it, but did apologize. He has also offered to refund half of the cost of the CLA. Given the total situation, I will be satisfied with this resolution. It was mostly the acknowledgment that the camera was NOT as advertised that I was looking for.

Guess I'll take Knight Camera off of my "Do Not Buy" list, and just place him on my "Careful How You Communicate With Him" list.

Just wanted to let folks know that Mr. Knight has responded, and offered what I consider and acceptable resolution.

This will end this saga, unless I don't receive the refund of half of the CLA charge, but I don't anticipate that will be an issue, since it was his offer.

guitstik · Jul 15, 2010

I'm glad to see that you were able to resolve this amicably. I bought a camera that was advertised as operational and when I received it the shutter release button had obvious damage to it and was loose and binding when triggered. I contacted the seller but all he wanted to do was refund the purchase price and it was up to me to pay the shipping, no offer to refund a portion of the purchase price or any help at all in the matter. If it wasn't for the fact that I like the camera and had already sent it off to be repaired I would have escalated it with ebay. Knight has several items for sale that I am thinking about, it is nice to know that they do respond but when I queried them on combined shipping for my last purchases they seemed to have ignored it and sent both items individually, Hmmm.

JPD · Jul 15, 2010

LyleB said:
He still insists that the camera was tested and working fine prior to listing, could not explain why it did not work when I received it

That can happen. A shutter may seem to work fine even if it has some sticky half-dried lubricants here and there in the mechanism. Then a tiny speck of dirt finds its way to a sensitive part during handling (shipping in this case), and the shutter suddenly stops working.

guitstik · Jul 18, 2010

LyleB said:
WOW!!!!

I sent an email to Dean Photographica, and less than 1/2 hour later I had a reply. He concurs that a CLA will probably solve the problem. Price quoted seems very reasonable. Just waiting to hear back from the seller now.

Thanks for the tip.

Is this Dean's of Idaho-Classic Cameras? I am in need of repair on my Walzflex that the focus knob just turns with no results.

LyleB · Jul 18, 2010

Yes, Dean's of Idaho.

http://www.deansphotographica.com/

Yashica D Question

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