Bring my Lynx 14 back to life?

acall

acall

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I picked up a Yashica Lynx 14 at a garage sale this week. The lens looks clean, the focus and rangefinder seem to work, but the problem is the shutter speed selector spins freely, and the aperature selector spins freely as well. I am wondering if it is worth sinking any money into the camera to bring it back to life? Any suggestons are welcomed! I would love to be able to use this camera, the build of the lens is quite impressive!

Cheers!
Alan
 
If it otherwise looks good and it is cheap, it may be a good future source of parts for another acquisition. I frequently buy parts cameras in anticipation of finding a restorable one later. It's all a matter of opportunity and price.

-Paul
 
I'd keep it and send it to Mark Hama, http://www.markhama.com/--it's a treasure of a bygone era--esp. if the meter works!
 
Thank you all for the input, I think I will get in touch with Mark Hama, I would really like to use this camera. The glass and overall cosmetic appearance is good, but the mechanics seem to have been abused.
 
Well, acting on advice given here, I packed up the Lynx and sent it to Mark Hama last Saturday (7/29). Today, waiting for me on the porch after work was my like-new Lynx! This has to be the fastest turnaround I have ever had on camera repair. Even local shops take at least a week, with no shipping time! Mark really does beautiful work, he even replaced the battery. I can't wait to get out and use this camera.

Cheers!
 
How does the yellow patch look? Mine is nearly colorless--did he recolor/ restore the patch?
 
I live about 40 minutes from Mark Hama. I dropped off two cameras with him one day (a Lynx 5000 and a Nikon FM2). He had them ready in less than 24 hours!! Excellent work from a real craftsman.

Karl
 
Congratulations Alan! I've got a Lynx I need to send out myself soon. Please update this thread after you've had a chance to shoot with it some.:eek:
 
I am heading to Galveston, TX this weekend for a conference, I plan on taking the Lynx and some HP5, hopefully I will get a chance to get out and shoot some. I have been told there are some great old buildings there to shoot.

Bill - I don't think he did anything to the patch, but it is quite visible, much more so than when I sent it off. I think just by Mark cleaning the viewfinder the patch brightened up.
 
Thanks and enjoy the Galveston scene--the Strand (old restored area) is really cool. I lived in Hou for 35 yrs. before relocating to Korea.
 
I had the Greyhoundman CLA my Lynx14. The patch is still pretty dim. He said "they were never barn burners to begin with" So if the patch on your 14 is now nice & bright, then it may be that Mr. Hama has replaced it. I am envious! I love my Lynx, but I don't use it much because of this. G'Man also CLA'd my Canonet GIII. Now that baby has a bright patch! Just a difference in how they were made and how they hold up over the years I guess.

Charles
 
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