My "new" Yashica A

[Stravinsky]

Hello crowd.

a few weeks ago I was browsing the 'bay in search of a cheap start into the MF arena when I stumbled in a poor described Yashica A from germany. Because of my previous reads here I knew this model was one of the cheapest available, but I was surprised nonetheless when I won the thing for a mere 24€.

Upon the arrival the camera looked good, just a little dirty. I took a while just to find out the blades I saw through the lens where the shutter and not a broken aperture blades... 😛

The camera:

I took the camera with me in a short trip to the sea and tested it. By handing the exposed roll to the lab I said: "it's just a test roll from a new camera, please do not scan if the results are very bad".
So let me say I was surprised by the results!

I managed to:
- make only one double exposure. A very good result considering how many time the red window drove me nuts!
- all exposures are ok, at all times
- no big mistakes in setting the aperture/shutter speed even without a meter

In a few words: this is a great "basic" camera, and I got a great fun in taking photos with it.

Here are the best shots from my first roll.

If you are interested there is a dedicated Flickr group and a manual available for download here:



Now what about you? Do you have a Yashica A? Do you mind share your photo?

Ciao,

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I used to have one. It took pretty decent pics, but the lens wasn't as sharp as the Rollei I had at the time so i sold it. This was made with it:

 

[pschauss]

I bought one for about the same price as you did just to see if I was going to like medium format. Mine has a Yashikor lens (the sharper of the two lenses it was offered with). I have not used it in several years, having moved on to a Yashicamat, and then a Rolleicord. I took some great pictures with it.

 

[jpa66]

I've had a lot of fun with my Yashica A. It's a great camera to get started in medium format. Mine was given to me by my father-in-law, but I would imagine that you could get a good one for around 25 USD. I haven't used it much since I got a Rolleiflex, but I still like it when I don't want as sharp a shot, and just for the fun of it.

The first shot is with Portra NC 160 ( which I love - the film, that is - the photos just so-so at best ), and the other's Tri-X.

I'd put the photos in the body of the text if I could only figure out how to do it...

 

[Dan Grisez]

Here's mine...

My custom made filter adapter. A Voigtlander 310/32 lens hood with 52mm-55mm step up ring epoxied to it.

 

[Gary E]

I got into MF and TLR similar to the way you did but with a Yashica D. Some of my best pics were taken with this simple camera. Just get into a routine and you'll avoid the double exposures; I always make it a habit to wind the frame after taking a picture. Try some chromes with 120, you'll be pleasantly surprised to the results though the ones you're already getting are good to begin with. Happy TLR snapping 🙂

 

[Stravinsky]

Great shots everyone! I would love to try some colour film but I was not able to find it into B&M shops so far...

This week I got back from the shop the second B&W roll and I did upload a few of them on the gallery. I suspect there is some light leak from the top, but it's only noticeable in dark shots.

Here's one from this new roll. It's a shopping cart into the Milan channel called Naviglio.

 

[chubasco]

Here are some of mine, love this little TLR (so have two, now):

 

[Stravinsky]

Great colors chubasco! I did purchase 5 Ektar 100 rolls but did not have the guts to put down my Leica lately 🙂
Hopefully this week...

 

[chubasco]

Great colors chubasco! I did purchase 5 Ektar 100 rolls but did not have the guts to put down my Leica lately 🙂
Hopefully this week...

Thanks, Strav, I've wanted to try Ektar in 120 format, looking forward to your
shots!

 

[Stravinsky]

Here it is... a shot from the first Ektar 100 roll.
Unfortunately the sky wasn't really good... too cloudy to pimp up the colours. But overall I like it a lot.

 

[chubasco]

Very nice, no color shift in that shot!

 

[paulfish4570]

And now I have one of Chubasco's As. Pics to come when I replace my scanner ...

 

[Stravinsky]

Any Y-A pic to share Paul?

I neglected my "A" for a while for a "D", but now I decided:
a) I love the A simplicity
b) The lens on the A is better (possibly only because it had an easier life...)


Here's a new Ektar 100, finally some pop-up color:


Windows 2011 by Str@vinsky, on Flickr

 

[kpas]

My first spoils into medium format were with my old man's A that he had not touched for a good 20-25 years.

Still worked beautifully, although the viewfinder was a little dim compared to what I ended up buying later (D, 635, 124G, among others)

Still a lovely little camera though. For what they are worth, they take very sharp photos.

Will post up a photo or two later if I can find some negs

 

[smiling gecko]

alright already...
this thread nudged me to take my new-to me yashica A on the road with me. loaded up a roll of ektar 100 and we'll see...

breathe, relax and enjoy.
sg, aka smiling gecko, aka kenneth

 

[Stravinsky]

Still worked beautifully, although the viewfinder was a little dim compared to what I ended up buying later (D, 635, 124G, among others)

I agree the thing is quite dark. I use the magnifier to focus and I remove it to frame...

alright already...
this thread nudged me to take my new-to me yashica A on the road with me. loaded up a roll of ektar 100 and we'll see...

breathe, relax and enjoy.
sg, aka smiling gecko, aka kenneth

I am happy you did! Have fun. And post an image if you like.

Ciao, Andrea

 

[Stravinsky]

One more from the Ektar

One more from the Ektar


Golf Cabrio by Str@vinsky, on Flickr