New to the forum and back into Photography

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drodg

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I just acquired my father's Yashica M3 camera that he bought new when my parents were first married. BTW this camera looks brand new and appears to be the same camera as a Ministry III. I can't find much info on the camera but it does appear to be the same camera. I wanted to get back into film photography and I figured this was a good way to take the plunge. I am just learning about manual settings and how to use a rangefinder camera. I bought color film and just wanted to introduce myself. I have numerous questions.
 
Yashica made three cameras named M, M-II, and M-3. Leica was not happy about this, and made them change the name, so it became the Minister III. Apparently, Yashica continued to make the M and M-II along with the M-3, with the M starting in 1960, the M-II in '62, and the M-3 in '63, with all of them changing to the Minister name in '63.

My favorite of the Ministers is the Minimatic-C, of which the one I have has a good functioning meter. It also has a grey covering, and matching lens cap, which looks so much better on that camera. Folks think the Minimatic name means it's a compact, until it arrives in the mail! It's a contraction of MINIster, and autoMATIC, and is the same full size body as all the others.

PF
 
Thanks everyone and I will try to post a picture of my camera later today. The one question I have is what would you recommend as a flash to use with this camera? It obviously does not have a battery and my mother cannot seem to find dad's old flash. I have looked at few on Ebay but a little confused on what I should use. Thanks again.
 
May I suggest not using a flash for a while...

Just use available light and get used to how the film reacts to different exposures and how developing can also alter the look.

It's a long but fantastic journey that never ends (until they stop making film...)
 
Wburgess said:
May I suggest not using a flash for a while...

Just use available light and get used to how the film reacts to different exposures and how developing can also alter the look.

It's a long but fantastic journey that never ends (until they stop making film...)
Click to expand...

I will try that. I appreciate the tip. I am trying random pictures with different settings. I will send off my first roll of film in a few days to see how everything looks.
 
For a flash, you will need one that doesn't have a hot-shoe type connection. Some older flashes with the PC cable may still work, but finding one that does can be a frustrating crap-shoot. Get a slightly newer hot-shoe type, then get a hot-to-cold shoe adapter. This is basically block that has a hot-shoe on top, with a cold-shoe on the bottom, and a PC cable to connect with the camera. It will also increase the distance between the flash tube and the lens to help cut down on the dreaded red-eye.

You don't need anything more than a basic automatic flash, and most of the newest ones need a trigger voltage, so maybe a nice little Sunpak 1600 would be just fine.

PF
 
farlymac said:
For a flash, you will need one that doesn't have a hot-shoe type connection. Some older flashes with the PC cable may still work, but finding one that does can be a frustrating crap-shoot. Get a slightly newer hot-shoe type, then get a hot-to-cold shoe adapter. This is basically block that has a hot-shoe on top, with a cold-shoe on the bottom, and a PC cable to connect with the camera. It will also increase the distance between the flash tube and the lens to help cut down on the dreaded red-eye.

You don't need anything more than a basic automatic flash, and most of the newest ones need a trigger voltage, so maybe a nice little Sunpak 1600 would be just fine.

PF
Click to expand...

Thanks for the information on the flash.
 
So what are the sources for black and white film in the US? I bought Fuji color film for my first few rolls. Thanks
 
drodg said:
So what are the sources for black and white film in the US? I bought Fuji color film for my first few rolls. Thanks
Click to expand...

What State do you live in? Might be a local camera store close by that sells B&W film. Check out the Film Photography Podcast Group. They sell film of all sorts. A great bunch of folks. & welcome to RFF.

http://filmphotographyproject.com/
 
I will get my first film roll back from developing this weekend. It is a color roll and again I am using my dad's Yashica M3. I will post a few pictures this weekend. Thanks everyone.
 
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