Lynx 14 Size Not A Problem ? Kindly Explain It To Me

Ruben, it looks for me that Lynx 14 feels too obtrusive to you, at least for street. I decide now between Lynx 14 and f1.4 lens for SLR - and it seems that big-lensed Lynx will be less noticeable than SLR camera, because of mirror slap, so probably I need only wide and tele lenses for SLR, as RF's about-50mm are too handy.

So if 1.4 lens is ever needed for street job, seems that Lynx is way to go. I guess that loud operation is more annoying than large dimensions. Also, RF's even big look P&Sish - people rather associate pentaprism-SLR-photojournalism-consequent intrusion into their lives.
 
Ruben, I don't generally "stealth" around taking pics of people who don't want their pic taken. Guess I'm not much of a street photographer in this regard. I use the 14 when I want to take "semi-candids" (they know I'm taking pics, but don't mind) of human subjects - usually family members, in natural light. It's a great "natural light candid" camera. The camera is the same size as the GSN. It fits in the same never ready case. However, it's "top heavy" because of its huge front element but I hold cameras like this a little differently, bracing the bottom of the lens barrel. When I want to "travel light" I use differnt camras, usually the Konica auto S3.
 
Nick, so 14 fits into same hard case as G/GS/GSN ? That cases are nice to carry camera around, and if 14 comes on market without case it's nice to know that I already have case.
 
It's a Tank... But it's the best cheap Low Light

It's a Tank... But it's the best cheap Low Light

camera with sharp glass and good tonal rendition you will ever use.

However, If you are not a Low Light afficianado, having one around is a total waste of cupboard space. I swear that on static subject, on a tripod with 400 film you can almost shoot it in the dark, and surely on a full moon night.

Yashica got exactly what they designed... a superior low light camera... heavy enough to hold steady. The fact is that Yashica rarely made a bad camera, and often hit the targets they aimed at.

OK, my comments about shooting in the dark may be a little overboard, but in a dimly lit party or other event, with the right film and the quiet shutter, you'll walk away with some nice shots.

But, if you're not doing low light stuff, transfer it into the hands of someone who will appreciate it.
 
Oh, and I forgot... On the BLACK thing....

Oh, and I forgot... On the BLACK thing....

The Yashicas that have the T in the middle of the model, such as GT or GTN instead of GS or GSN are the black models, and they are very attractive. Plus, they have the 1.7 lens, which may not be quite the low light camera that the lynx 14 is. However, they are very attractive and the 1.7 lens is considerably smaller than the 1.4. The GT is 1/500th top shutter speed and the GTN is 1/1000th. I recall the GTN has a hot shoe, while the GT just has an accessory shoe.

I will bet that a nice GT or GTN would have you hauling a Yashica around a considerable amount of the time. The lenses are very good.
 
I don't own GTN, but on GSN which is chrome version of GTN, shutter reach 1/500th top speed. ISO1000 is what makes GS/GT and GSN/GTN different from original Electro 35 and Electro 35 G - they have ISO range up to ISO500. AFAIK 1/500th is top speed on all Electro 35 G% models incl. rare GL, not counting MG-1, FC, CC, GX and ME here.
 
Well, I decided to take a good medicine. Today I ordered a Kiev 6.

Cheers,
Ruben

PS
Kiev 6c MF.
 
My Bad... You're right....

My Bad... You're right....

btgc said:
I don't own GTN, but on GSN which is chrome version of GTN, shutter reach 1/500th top speed. ISO1000 is what makes GS/GT and GSN/GTN different from original Electro 35 and Electro 35 G - they have ISO range up to ISO500. AFAIK 1/500th is top speed on all Electro 35 G% models incl. rare GL, not counting MG-1, FC, CC, GX and ME here.
Click to expand...

It's the ASA wheel on the top of the camera going to 1000 that always confuses me. Well, actually life confuses me, but that Yashica wheel adds to the confusion.....

It also confused me that Ruben would raise such interesting questions and then end up buying another Kiev. I have a lovely CLA'd Kiev (Kneb) and I enjoy it. It seems reliable but one is enough. I paid a bunch more than I could have, but I bought it from a seemingly knowledgable US seller and it operates so smoothly, and the Jupiter 8 shows such good results, I'm glad I pulled the trigger on a higher priced unit. I could have bought one of the $40 ones, but I already have a pile of junk SLR's and small rangefinders. I decided to give my first FSU a chance to impress me.
 
btgc said:
Nick, so 14 fits into same hard case as G/GS/GSN ? That cases are nice to carry camera around, and if 14 comes on market without case it's nice to know that I already have case.
Click to expand...

Yes - it fits in the exact same never-ready case as the GSN. However, the Lynx has a button on the front of the camera to activate the meter, so the Lynx case would have (I don't have a case for the Lynx) to have a "cut out" for the switch. You can use the GSN bottom 1/2 of the case anyway, you press the case where the switch is and it will activate the meter underneath. It works. Or you can cut out a section of the GSN case for the Lynx switch.

I just go "caseless" when using the Lynx 14.

Again, regarding the size, the camera body is exactly the same size as the GSN. But that big azz lens 7 elements, 5 groups F1.4 fast lens adds weight and makes it "front heavy".

The Lynx 14 is the only fixed lens RF camera that:

1. Has all manual controls. Not a shutter priority first camera with manual control "added on" as a feature/ after-thought.

2. Has an F1.4 lens - did I mention that?

3. Has a quite leaf shutter with flash synch at all speeds for fill flash - which I do use.

4. Has a parallax corrected viewfinder.

All manual controls - naturally, a 7 element, 5 group Tomioka Optical (very underrated) 45mm/F1.4 lens, a parallax corrected viewfinder. This is truly a photographer's camera with ZERO compromises. You can use any film speed (meters to 800), it is one of the best low-light performers...

Mine was restored to full functionality, I covet my fully operational sample, shoot it often, one of my favorite cameras, and wouldn't part with it. The stealthy little black RF it is not, however. It was never intended to be, doesn't pretend to be. And if you hate big cameras - stay away. But it does not compromise lens speed (or quality), or sacrifice capability for the sake of convenience (like any "priority" camera of any sort). Again, it's a photographer's camera.
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kuzano said:
.....

It also confused me that Ruben would raise such interesting questions and then end up buying another Kiev. I have a lovely CLA'd Kiev (Kneb) and I enjoy it. It seems reliable but one is enough. I paid a bunch more than I could have, but I bought it from a seemingly knowledgable US seller and it operates so smoothly, and the Jupiter 8 shows such good results, I'm glad I pulled the trigger on a higher priced unit. I could have bought one of the $40 ones, but I already have a pile of junk SLR's and small rangefinders. I decided to give my first FSU a chance to impress me.
Click to expand...


Well done kuzano.

What I ordered is a Kiev Medium Format slr, type 6c. 🙂 But this has nothing to do with the Lynx 14, but with the fact that I happen to have a lot of MF film that is time to use.

Cheers,
Ruben
 
I got one of those cameras for free. The speeds are off at 1, 1/2, 1/4, and 1/8 of a second the rest of them seem to be OK.

Ruben I can't blame you for finding this beast big... It is quite a monster.

I would like to ask if your example has clicks on the aperture ring? Mine hasn't.
 
I regret having sold my Lynx14 for $25 many years ago. The shutter sounded too quiet to be "real". I was still inexperienced with RF cameras.

As for :
"The Lynx 14 is the only fixed lens RF camera that:

1. Has all manual controls. Not a shutter priority first camera with manual control "added on" as a feature/ after-thought.

2. Has an F1.4 lens - did I mention that?

3. Has a quite leaf shutter with flash synch at all speeds for fill flash - which I do use.

4. Has a parallax corrected viewfinder. "


There are other RF cameras with fixed lenses that satisfy points 1,2,4.
 
chikne said:
I got one of those cameras for free. The speeds are off at 1, 1/2, 1/4, and 1/8 of a second the rest of them seem to be OK.

Ruben I can't blame you for finding this beast big... It is quite a monster.

I would like to ask if your example has clicks on the aperture ring? Mine hasn't.
Click to expand...

My experience with Lynx (and Yashica) shutter speed....
When (and if) you sit in front of the TV set for any time, just crank and shoot the Lynx endlessly. It may surprise you to find after a couple of hours of doing this (not all at one sitting or your family will schedule an intervention), how the shutter speeds become self correcting.
 
14's rewind crank

14's rewind crank

NickTrop said:
Yes - it fits in the exact same never-ready case as the GSN. |
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oh, thanks, good to know.

BTW, isn't rewind crank on 14/e also same as on GSN ? I see one with bent crank, maybe could borrow that part from spare GSN I've got.
 
while it's still interesting if rewind crank is interchangeable, I dropped idea getting that particular sample. I bought another one ! I confess - I bought Lynx 14, not IC version, little worried if needle meter is visible in dim room, but well, there's marker in VF too, and who shoots in pitch dark, anyway. Lord, save my soul ! I so wanted this camera !
 
ruben said:
Well done kuzano.

What I ordered is a Kiev Medium Format slr, type 6c. 🙂 But this has nothing to do with the Lynx 14, but with the fact that I happen to have a lot of MF film that is time to use.

Cheers,
Ruben
Click to expand...

Ruben, do you mean the Kiev 60? Got one of those too. Talk about big! The Lynx will seem like a Minox after you get aload of the Kiev 60, if that's the camera you bought.
 
Lynx 14e is a camera to be used 'from dusk till down'. For its 1.4 lens and superb leaf shutter you don't need to put it on a tripod, taking pictures just from hand. Try it!
 
chikne said:
I got one of those cameras for free. The speeds are off at 1, 1/2, 1/4, and 1/8 of a second the rest of them seem to be OK.

Ruben I can't blame you for finding this beast big... It is quite a monster.

I would like to ask if your example has clicks on the aperture ring? Mine hasn't.
Click to expand...

No, the aperture ring doesn't have any click stops. I have a 14 and a 14 IC that Russ fixed up for me. Haven't run any film through the IC yet, but the 14 is great. Great low light ability, of course, and when stopped down its plenty sharp. I keep a hood on it, and its all good. some pictures taken with the 14 here.

Is it big? Yes, but everything is relative. I had a kiev 60 also, and the yashica is a pipsqeak compared to that guy.
 
Hm..big? Take an EOS 5D, with a grip and a 24-105 f2.8L lens. Lynx 14 is a James Bond spy camera compared to that. hell, camera bag with complete RF equipment is smaller 😉))))
Just joking... linx is a bit bulky, but it is user friendly enough to ignore the size.
 
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