How about Lynx ?

btgc

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Recently I have "discovered" for myself Lynx series, and seems that I'll have yet another RF 🙂 Strange enough, what Yashica did then - basically, one has to either choose or get both Lynx models - as model 1000/5000 have faster speed 1/1000 and stop down to f22, making it nice high ISO shooter even at day - and model 14 which seems to be designed as low light master with it's enormous lens.
Note, that there isn't model 14000 (or 514 ?) with f1.4 lens, stopping down to f22 and faster 1/1000 shutter speed. Obviously Yashica had reasons to make two Lynxes, I hope it isn't just plain marketing.
 
I have a 14 and even though I've only used it a few times refuse to part with it. Had considered selling it once and changed my mind. It's a great all-purpose camera. The lens is sweet.
 
Held one for the first time last night at our RFF meet (it belonged to WarrenT). I was VERY impressed! Warren has a clean example, but I agree well built, good finder, great feel.


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Umh, yesterday received my 5000 with lens cap and nice everready case 🙂 Shutter is stuck, though aperture blades work as supposed. When releasing, shutter blades seemed to jig a bit. After removing front elements (used daughters rubber boot, makes very good grip) and applying small amount of naphta, waiting couple of minutes, blades jigged more, though don't open.
Another story is that selftimers lever were badly bent? and as I touched it broke off, falling out of lens barrel, happily.

If selftimer would be locked I couldn't also turn advance lever, right ? At least that was the case with Konica S2. Well, with 5000 I will try to proceed rather slowly and don't harm it more than it is.

I told I already want Lynx 14 ? So I declare that I want 14 too 🙂
 
The shutter on the Lynx 14 (and 14e) is much bigger to clear the F1.4 lens. That means 1/1000th shutter speed would be very difficult to do. It's a great camera. The beamsplitter is identical to that used in the more common full-sized Electro 35 series cameras (GS,GT,GSN,GTN). I;ve replaced the faded beamsplitter in a 14e with one from a parts GSN.
 
Probably dimensions is reason why 5000's barrel/shutter is smaller diameter than similar f1.7 yashica lenses - to be lighter and be able to go up to 1/1000 ?

btw thanks Brian for hint on 14 and Electro35 RF optics - I've read that Lynx 14 often have very dim RF patch. Nice if can be fixed with parts from younger donor.
 
Well....probably I should fix 5000 and then bid on 14..... Sure it's fun to own, though let's be realistic about usage. At the end, it will be more fun to get 14 after my 5000 is brought back to working state. GAS is dangerous thing....it suggests to bid like it's last item available, but sure it's not.
 
Nobody mentioned Yashica-Guy

Nobody mentioned Yashica-Guy

Here is the link to his Lynx page... Other Yashica pages on the site.

http://www.yashica-guy.com/document/chrono2.html

I used lynx's in various models a few years ago. Phenomenal lenses but big camera's. The leicaphyles on the board may want to scrounge up an M5 model.

Had a Lynx 14e, with a working Integrated Circuit... the achilles heel of that model.
Has a Lynx 14e IC on the front next to the rangefinder window.
 
I like my 5000e more than my Electro 35 GSNs because I prefer the non-battery dependent, fully manual operation of the 5000e. I think the f1.7 lens is a good compromise because it is much less bulky than the 14e with it's f1.4 lens.

Also, the quiet leaf shutter of the Lnyx cameras makes them very unobtrusive to use.

I've been thinking of selling my 5000e lately because I really have not used it as much as it deserves to be used. Maybe I just need to put a roll or two through it to get my enthusiasm up again 🙂.

--Warren
 
IC model isn't so rugged as simple 14 meaning old circuits are survivors ?

I've got plain 5000 this time. Thanks for the link to YG, I've studied it since getting Electro 35, great work done.

UPD: Warren, after just holding not-yet-working 5000 in hands, I for sure can say - keep it ! You don't get for it real money, just loose opportunity to get a roll of joy. True ? Well, just if your phylosophy isn't "don't keep gear you don't really use".
 
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btgc said:
IC model isn't so rugged as simple 14 meaning old circuits are survivors ?

I've got plain 5000 this time. Thanks for the link to YG, I've studied it since getting Electro 35, great work done.

UPD: Warren, after just holding not-yet-working 5000 in hands, I for sure can say - keep it ! You don't get for it real money, just loose opportunity to get a roll of joy. True ? Well, just if your phylosophy isn't "don't keep gear you don't really use".

Thanks for the reminder. 🙂

I think I'll put it into my cameras-to-use rotation and shoot a roll or two with it.

--Warren
 
I liked the Lynx 14 IC enough to pay to have it fixed and CLA'd. To me, its size not withstanding, is a "no compromises" camera. An f1.4 lens, all manual controls. Love having a fully functional model, shoot it often.
 
Warren, you are welcome 🙂 sometimes it just happens - right, I have that wonderful camera ! Joy of rediscovery, something like that.

Nick, please read what is under my post - and partially you also will be guilty for this 🙂 But seems that Lynx 14 is just too nice to resist.

Robert, thanks for your efforts, I'll read more later because it's 2:30AM here and I'm falling into bed....

And that's all because I were too curious, sneaked into shutter (which is familiar to me since i tore down S2) and realized I have standard scenario "locked selftimer". Gently moistened selftimer several times with naphta, as well as speed escapement (rather points where shafts look out), waited a bit and ST unlocked. Voila, shutter works (fingers crossed), not sure how speeds are accurate though seems quite promising - faster 1/1000 and 1/500 are hardly visible and 1sec is at least 1 sec 🙂 Mkey, selftimer lever broke off even before I opened shutter, seems that someone really wanted to....what really ? Oh, and that nice feel of virgin shutter, unfortunately not so with my S2.

Isn't this wonderful, huh ? I just needed some success as my S2 project is somehow stuck. Let's see what goes on further with this 5000, now I can just sleep.
 
Well, now is 4:06AM, since last update I've found corroded wire, took it back to battery compartment and tried to solder wire back to terminal - no success, my soldering skills are too bad. Cleaned surfaces with old good napfta, though solder don't get on as should. Well, I checked with old-and-empty LR44 straight wire-to-batt-to-bottom-cover. And you know ? Meter needle jumped. So I'll figure out where to solder in Schottky diode. And what to do to solder, mhm.

Crazy Lynx, aren't they ?
 
Robert, your postings on 5000 are excellent ! Thanks for sharing, appreciate your findings on flare issue and hood.
 
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