Yashica D viewing lens

Darryl Roberts · May 26, 2020

Hi,

I recently was given a Yashica D. I have not tried it yet. The viewing is quite dim. I can focus with it. Is this normal?

Paul Howell · May 26, 2020

There are 2 models, with the 4 element yashinon and 3 element yashinar lens. My D has a 2.8 yashinon viewing lens and pretty bright. Not sure if the yashinar version taking ens a 3.5 or 2.8, still should be bright enough to focus in bright indoor lighting and not have any issues at all outdoors. .

Molli · May 26, 2020

I have a Yashica D with the three element Yashikor Viewing Lens (f3/5). Granted, it was my first TLR so I had nothing to compare it to at the time, but I never found the viewfinder to be dim. Even now with a 2,8 Mamiya-Sekor Lens on a Mamiya C3 to compare it to, there's no really noticeable difference.
If I'm somewhere with low ambient light, I'll find a specular highlight to focus on and/or flip up the magnifying glass.
I hope you do get your camera working for you, the Yashica D is my "always on me" camera and I find it a joy to use.

Darryl Roberts · May 26, 2020

Molli said:
I have a Yashica D with the three element Yashikor Viewing Lens (f3/5). Granted, it was my first TLR so I had nothing to compare it to at the time, but I never found the viewfinder to be dim. Even now with a 2,8 Mamiya-Sekor Lens on a Mamiya C3 to compare it to, there's no really noticeable difference.
If I'm somewhere with low ambient light, I'll find a specular highlight to focus on and/or flip up the magnifying glass.
I hope you do get your camera working for you, the Yashica D is my "always on me" camera and I find it a joy to use.

Thank you. I'll try it Saturday and see what I get.

neilt3 · May 26, 2020

I've found with TLR's the biggest issue with a dull focus screen is caused by a degraded mirror .
I've gradually been replacing all my with new ones and they make a huge difference .

Darryl Roberts · May 26, 2020

neilt3 said:
I've found with TLR's the biggest issue with a dull focus screen is caused by a degraded mirror .
I've gradually been replacing all my with new ones and they make a huge difference .

Thank you. Hopefully it won't affect the test photos.

Dan Daniel · May 26, 2020

Darryl Roberts said:
Thank you. Hopefully it won't affect the test photos.

As long as you can focus, it has no effect on the actual film.

You can shine a flashlight from the top and look through the front of the lens. You might be able to tell if it is the mirror or if the lens itself has a bunch of dirt or fungus or such. Or maybe the focus screen assembly is simply filthy.

Darryl Roberts · May 26, 2020

Dan Daniel said:
As long as you can focus, it has no effect on the actual film.

You can shine a flashlight from the top and look through the front of the lens. You might be able to tell if it is the mirror or if the lens itself has a bunch of dirt or fungus or such. Or maybe the focus screen assembly is simply filthy.

Thanks, I just did. It is medium-filthy. Any idea to self-CLA it?

Chrismat · May 26, 2020

Or you could buy a new mirror that fits your camera, $10.50 includes shipping.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Yashica-TL...106176?hash=item3ae856ce40:g:Bb8AAOSw1~JZS-wG

Darryl Roberts · May 26, 2020

Chrismat said:
Or you could buy a new mirror that fits your camera, $10.50 includes shipping.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Yashica-TL...106176?hash=item3ae856ce40:g:Bb8AAOSw1~JZS-wG

Thanks, is it difficult to replace?

Chrismat · May 26, 2020

Not too difficult, but it's been a while since I've done it. The waist level finder removes easily after removing its four screws. On most tlrs the mirror should be pretty easy to remove and replace.

Darryl Roberts · May 26, 2020

Chrismat said:
Not too difficult, but it's been a while since I've done it. The waist level finder removes easily after removing its four screws. On most tlrs the mirror should be pretty easy to remove and replace.

Alright, I'll check it tomorrow. Thank you again. Good night.

neilt3 · May 27, 2020

Darryl Roberts said:
Thanks, I just did. It is medium-filthy. Any idea to self-CLA it?

No CLA .
If the mirrored surface has oxidised , it will never be as reflective as a new one .
For $7.50 there's no point compromising and struggling. Just fit a new one , I'm replacing all off mine .
No lubrication , and no adjustment ( the other bits if a cLA) the mirror slots in its place behind the lugs that were ground in the factory , and the screen goes back on exactly as it came off .
Only investigate the position if the screen if your shots are out of focus .

It's a DIY job to replace , very simple .
It's not so much the dirt that makes it dull , the coating on the mirror oxidises and reflects less light over time .
Don't forget it's a front surface mirror , so there's no glass to protect it .

The place I always get mine from is off Marty on eBay ;
https://www.ebay.com/itm/264715927181
, Good price and good quality .

When you get it , you'll notice it has a piece of blue plastic on it .
This is to protect the mirrored side and should be removed before installing and faced up .

It's been asked on here before why the new mirror someone has fitted us dull .
It's because they assumed the blue side was the back and the shiny side was the front .
Just something to be aware off .

If your ground glass needs cleaning , I've carefully and gently done mine in water with a bit of washing up liquid in it .
Then rinsed in clean fresh water .
Then given a final rinse in distilled water before standing on edge to dry off .

Remember , some focus screens are duller than others , so yours might not be dirty anyway .
Asses it when you change the mirror .

Dan Daniel · May 27, 2020

neilt3 said:
No CLA .

If your ground glass needs cleaning , I've carefully and gently done mine in water with a bit of washing up liquid in it .
Then rinsed in clean fresh water .
Then given a final rinse in distilled water before standing on edge to dry off .

Good info on installing the mirror. Just wanted to comment that the Yashica focusing screen is a two-part system. There is a ground glass on top with a plastic fresnel underneath. If you aren't careful in cleaning it while installed you can get liquid between the two. Best to remove the screen from the focus hood- clip front and back edge- and clean each part separately. Reinstall with ground side of ground glass to 'bottom' (towards mirror) and the ridged/fresnel side of the plastic towards the ground glass.

Darryl Roberts · May 27, 2020

Chrismat said:
Not too difficult, but it's been a while since I've done it. The waist level finder removes easily after removing its four screws. On most tlrs the mirror should be pretty easy to remove and replace.

Opening it was the answer and cleaning the ground glass. It's much better now. Thank you all.

neilt3 · May 27, 2020

Darryl Roberts said:
Opening it was the answer and cleaning the ground glass. It's much better now. Thank you all.

How was the mirror ?
Still good or needing replacing ?

Darryl Roberts · May 27, 2020

neilt3 said:
How was the mirror ?
Still good or needing replacing ?

It was fine, cleaned it with glass cleaner.

neilt3 · May 27, 2020

It's nice when you can get away with just giving things a good cleaning !

Darryl Roberts · May 27, 2020

neilt3 said:
It's nice when you can get away with just giving things a good cleaning !

Yup. All it cost me was $7.00 for a tiny screwdriver set.

Darryl Roberts · Apr 22, 2022

Molli said:
I have a Yashica D with the three element Yashikor Viewing Lens (f3/5). Granted, it was my first TLR so I had nothing to compare it to at the time, but I never found the viewfinder to be dim. Even now with a 2,8 Mamiya-Sekor Lens on a Mamiya C3 to compare it to, there's no really noticeable difference.
If I'm somewhere with low ambient light, I'll find a specular highlight to focus on and/or flip up the magnifying glass.
I hope you do get your camera working for you, the Yashica D is my "always on me" camera and I find it a joy to use.

Me too. It's a delight.

Yashica D viewing lens

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