1960 35YL - is this normal?

[ssmc]

My Dad bought this camera new in 1960 but it hasn't been used in maybe 30+ years. It's in pretty good shape except that the RF is almost unusable (I think something is delaminating inside, giving an ill-defined blob with multiple images) and something very strange: the aperture ring has no click stops. It still opens and closes the diaphragm smoothly but the ring itself is kind of loose and I wonder if it's on its way to breaking. The focus ring is extremely tight but it does move through the entire range. Dad can't recall whether the aperture ring ever had detents in the first place but that seems mighty unlikely to me.

Anyone have any experience with this model? I know it was only produced for 2 years and info seems extremely scarce. He still has the original instruction booklet but it's not very helpful. Luckily the lens has had a protective filter since day one so even after years in the Navy on subs and carriers the lens glass is absolutely spotless (and appears uncoated).

Thanks for any advice!
Scott

 

[btgc]

RF patch MAY be gone bad, though if not sure, consult with specialist. I think if you want to revive Dad's camera, Mark Hama would help.

Aperture is such by design, manual Yashica RF's don't have aperture clickstops as many other RF's don't (like Konica III, Konica Auto S and S2, to mention).

 

[Sonnar Brian]

A number of these cameras did not have click stops, but I've never used this one.

The RF sounds like the real problem. Either silvering on a mirror/beamsplitter is bad, or something came loose inside. a repair will probably run ~$100 at most places.

 

[b1bmsgt]

The rangefinder may have serious problems, or may just need a good cleaning to remove the bugs, mice, etc...
Aperture is more than likely as described above: no click stops by design. All of the Yashica RF's seem to be like that, right up to but not including the Electro 35.

Russ

 

[ssmc]

Thanks guys!

I am probably going to get it refurbished for him as he has a lot of sentimental attachment to it, and it would be nice to put a couple of rolls through it myself 🙂

I had a closer look in better light and the 45mm f/2.8 lens is coated, but it's very hard to see and a sort of amber color. FWIW the diaphragm has 10 blades and is very circular. I weighed it and it's lighter than it feels, about 24oz / 680g. The shutter is sounding pretty sick so that might be another thing to get overhauled. Inside it's extremely clean.

Regards,
Scott

 

[btgc]

At the era amber style coating were common. Konica III lens looks same (to me, at least). 10 blade diaphragm also seems to be attribute of era of heavy solid bricks, at least in flagship cameras. Later manufacturers went cheapening their products and 6 blades became standard.

Good luck with overhauling it.

EDIT: must correct my above statement - Konica III has click stops on aperture, for some reason I stated this not checking. Though mechanical Yashica RF's don't have. And mechanical half-frame Yashica 72-E again has click stops 🙂