ully
ully
Are the lens different in the GT, GSN and Lynx 5000. How would they compare as to quality of picture taken each one.
Optics
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farlymac
PF McFarland
According to the Yashica Guy site:
http://www.yashica-guy.com/index.html
The Lynx 5000 is a 6 element lens, with diaphram openings of f1.8 to f22. Focus is 2.6ft to Infinity, and the filter size is 46mm with a 54mm push-on cap.
The GS/GSN and GT/GTN share the same lens of 6 elements, with diaphram openings of f1.7 to f16. It focuses from 2.6ft to Infinity, and has a filter size of 55mm with a 57mm push-on cap. Earlier lenses did not have the 'Color' designator which was added in 1968 as a marketing ploy to ensure the public that the lenses were corrected when the use of color film in the consumer market took off.
The GS and GT were introduced in 1970, and were marketed as 'Gold Mechanica' with the addition of using gold plating on all the internal contacts. The follow-on GSN/GTNs in 1973 added a hotshoe.
All of these cameras will take sharp photos due to the design of the lens, as you can see many examples on this forum. The Yashica IC (Lynx 14e) had the f1.8 lens originally, but later models used the 7 element f1.4.
http://www.yashica-guy.com/index.html
The Lynx 5000 is a 6 element lens, with diaphram openings of f1.8 to f22. Focus is 2.6ft to Infinity, and the filter size is 46mm with a 54mm push-on cap.
The GS/GSN and GT/GTN share the same lens of 6 elements, with diaphram openings of f1.7 to f16. It focuses from 2.6ft to Infinity, and has a filter size of 55mm with a 57mm push-on cap. Earlier lenses did not have the 'Color' designator which was added in 1968 as a marketing ploy to ensure the public that the lenses were corrected when the use of color film in the consumer market took off.
The GS and GT were introduced in 1970, and were marketed as 'Gold Mechanica' with the addition of using gold plating on all the internal contacts. The follow-on GSN/GTNs in 1973 added a hotshoe.
All of these cameras will take sharp photos due to the design of the lens, as you can see many examples on this forum. The Yashica IC (Lynx 14e) had the f1.8 lens originally, but later models used the 7 element f1.4.
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btgc
Veteran
I do not think Electro and Lynx 5000 have same lens, they are of similar construction, at least looking at them reveals some differences.
farlymac, that's quite interesting statement abot Lynx 14 initially having 1/1.8 lens - how/where you got to know this? Really mystery.
farlymac, that's quite interesting statement abot Lynx 14 initially having 1/1.8 lens - how/where you got to know this? Really mystery.
farlymac
PF McFarland
BTGC,
Most of the info I got off of the Yashica Guy site, but I may have misread some of it, but it was hard to follow his chronology on the matter, and whether he meant that the 14 came after the 5000.
My current understanding is that the Yashica IC comes in two models, the Lynx 14/14e, and the 5000/5000e. The 14 has the f1.4 lens, and the 5000 has the f1.8 lens being the main difference between them. And maybe the top shutter speed too, but would have to look that up again. The 'e' designator shows an upgrade in the meter circuitry. As far as the lens designs, I'm sure that they are different from what are on the G series just due to the change in maximum aperture, though the f1.8 and f1.7 both have six elements.
PF
Most of the info I got off of the Yashica Guy site, but I may have misread some of it, but it was hard to follow his chronology on the matter, and whether he meant that the 14 came after the 5000.
My current understanding is that the Yashica IC comes in two models, the Lynx 14/14e, and the 5000/5000e. The 14 has the f1.4 lens, and the 5000 has the f1.8 lens being the main difference between them. And maybe the top shutter speed too, but would have to look that up again. The 'e' designator shows an upgrade in the meter circuitry. As far as the lens designs, I'm sure that they are different from what are on the G series just due to the change in maximum aperture, though the f1.8 and f1.7 both have six elements.
PF
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btgc
Veteran
farlymac, seems I have misuderstood you. Your approach basing on IC model, starting with 5000 and continuing with 14, is perfectly valid. I'm just in mindset 5000 and 14 are different models, so I jumped on idea 14 initially had same lens as 5000, kind of new facts about Yashica camera models un such.
F
former member
Guest
The Lynx 14 and later 14e always had an F1.4 lens: hence the "14" in the name. There were multiple models of the Lynx, including one with an F1.8 lens.
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farlymac
PF McFarland
Chronological order of Yashica Lynx cameras:
1000 1960
J (3 versions) 1961
35W 1961
5000 1964
14 1965
5000E 1968
14E 1968
I have no information on the 35W other than it does exist. I think it can be infered from the name that it has a wider angle lens, but don't count on it. The J had three different 'J' badges during it's manufacture, and did not have a meter. The 1000 and 5000 share the same f1.8 lens, with the 14 having the f1.4. The 1000 was the first rangefinder camera to sport a 1/1000sec speed.
Brian, what other sources do you know of besides yashicaguy who have listings of the different models with specs? Yashicaguy is hard to follow as he jumps around quite a bit in his descriptions, and leaves some things out.
PF
ps: Too much info yet Ully?
1000 1960
J (3 versions) 1961
35W 1961
5000 1964
14 1965
5000E 1968
14E 1968
I have no information on the 35W other than it does exist. I think it can be infered from the name that it has a wider angle lens, but don't count on it. The J had three different 'J' badges during it's manufacture, and did not have a meter. The 1000 and 5000 share the same f1.8 lens, with the 14 having the f1.4. The 1000 was the first rangefinder camera to sport a 1/1000sec speed.
Brian, what other sources do you know of besides yashicaguy who have listings of the different models with specs? Yashicaguy is hard to follow as he jumps around quite a bit in his descriptions, and leaves some things out.
PF
ps: Too much info yet Ully?
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F
former member
Guest
I will look around for sources, most of what I know is just from being old. I had a Lynx 14 with the traditional needle style meter, and two of the Lynx 14e's. "Paulfish" has the last one, which has a perfect beamsplitter. The other two were deteriorated. I repalced the beamsplitter of the second one with that froma Yashica GSN: perfect match.
farlymac
PF McFarland
I feel for ya Brian. I'm gettin old too, but mostly forgetful. A lot of the stuff I used to know about cameras and could rattle off the top of my head I think has rattled off to never-never land. I finally started to keep notes while I do my internet searches because sometimes you come across an interesting tidbit, but it's not worth bookmarking the whole site.
PF
PF
farlymac
PF McFarland
So Ully, have you made up your mind as to which camera you will get? I think I can give you a short conclusion of what we have looked at here.
The G series of Yashicas have excellent, sharp optics, are color corrected, and the cameras have a range of features that make photography less of a guessing game due to their aperture priority automation, and stepless electronically controlled shutter speeds. Also, you get the long exposure times for low light photography, and on the N models a hotshoe that works with the CS-14 flash.
The Lynx line though has the sometimes preferred method of total manual control, with some of the first advanced metering systems designed by Yashica, and on the 14/14E, the fast f1.4 lens. But that makes the 14's heavier, and they also take larger filters (58mm as opposed to the G series being 55mm), where as the 1000/5000 use the less common 46mm.
You really can't go wrong with any of these cameras, but most of the Lynx's are 5 to 10 years older than the GSN/GTN's, and weren't made in the same numbers as the G series, so that may pose a problem with reliabilty and parts availabilty down the road .
PF
The G series of Yashicas have excellent, sharp optics, are color corrected, and the cameras have a range of features that make photography less of a guessing game due to their aperture priority automation, and stepless electronically controlled shutter speeds. Also, you get the long exposure times for low light photography, and on the N models a hotshoe that works with the CS-14 flash.
The Lynx line though has the sometimes preferred method of total manual control, with some of the first advanced metering systems designed by Yashica, and on the 14/14E, the fast f1.4 lens. But that makes the 14's heavier, and they also take larger filters (58mm as opposed to the G series being 55mm), where as the 1000/5000 use the less common 46mm.
You really can't go wrong with any of these cameras, but most of the Lynx's are 5 to 10 years older than the GSN/GTN's, and weren't made in the same numbers as the G series, so that may pose a problem with reliabilty and parts availabilty down the road .
PF
btgc
Veteran
Just my experience - Lynxes may fail due to slow shutter speeds and/or dirty aperture (but that depends on storage conditions), while G-series rarely suffer from gummed up shutter/aperture blade. Also beamsplitters in G-series are unbeatable, contrary to Lynxes.
Though 99.9% of non-serviced G's need POD replacement, and then one is stuck with 40 y.o. circuit. Don't get me wrong, I'm not G-hater, but simple nature of Lynx makes it natural choice. I like it's WYSIWYG concept - "what you set is what you get" while Electro is like black box taking decisions on it's own. Well, Electros are impeccable under common light, but when it comes to uneven lightning, it's gamble.
F
former member
Guest
The beamsplitters in the G series can be used to replace those in the Lynx: they even have the same notch to align correctly. I've done this transplant before.
All of the Lynx's I've had required repair to the battery compartment. The internal wire often gets corrosion and breaks off. The Sync wire is soldered to the top plate, be careful when popping it.
All of the Lynx's I've had required repair to the battery compartment. The internal wire often gets corrosion and breaks off. The Sync wire is soldered to the top plate, be careful when popping it.
