Moto-Uno
Moto-Uno
Praise for Yashica Minister D
- Thread starter Moto-Uno
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Vics
Veteran
That's really nice! I just saw one on the auction site for $24 with the leather case, BIN. How's the focusing?
Moto-Uno
Moto-Uno
I believe I gave the rangefinder bits a delicate cleaning with Windex after I got it and now the focusing patch is good,not quite up to the Yashica GSN,but good enough for my 62 year old eyes!!
Regards,Peter
Regards,Peter
BradM
Established
I have only run one roll of film through my Minister D but it produced some really nice pictures. They are worth getting, IMO.
geordiefred
Member
Yashica Minister D. Which battery ?
Yashica Minister D. Which battery ?
I have just received a Yashica Minister D. I know that the original type of battery (mercury) is no longer available, so which type is the better alternative to use ? I gather Wein cells give the correct/continual voltage (1.3v), but they do not last so long.
PX625 have a voltage of 1.5, which I understand could affect the camera's meter.
As the camera is mechanical I believe I could use a light meter, and set the correct EV accordingly.
Looking for advice re the battery mainly.
Thanks.
Yashica Minister D. Which battery ?
I have just received a Yashica Minister D. I know that the original type of battery (mercury) is no longer available, so which type is the better alternative to use ? I gather Wein cells give the correct/continual voltage (1.3v), but they do not last so long.
PX625 have a voltage of 1.5, which I understand could affect the camera's meter.
As the camera is mechanical I believe I could use a light meter, and set the correct EV accordingly.
Looking for advice re the battery mainly.
Thanks.
farlymac
PF McFarland
Great cameras, the M series, Peter. Very unsung in the annals of photography.
The 675 silver-oxide is a good replacement, geordiefred, as it is 1.4v. The older cells were usually 1.35v, so no need to make any adjustments. They don't last as long, so buy plenty of them. You need to make or buy an adapter for the size difference, and make sure to activate them at least a half hour before putting into the camera.
PF
The 675 silver-oxide is a good replacement, geordiefred, as it is 1.4v. The older cells were usually 1.35v, so no need to make any adjustments. They don't last as long, so buy plenty of them. You need to make or buy an adapter for the size difference, and make sure to activate them at least a half hour before putting into the camera.
PF
geordiefred
Member
farlymac, I will give the 675 silver oxide a try. Thanks.
68degrees
Well-known
Just when I finally talked myself out of the Minister D, I find this post. Now what am I going to do?
Moto-Uno
Moto-Uno
I've got a LR44 battery in mine. I rolled a 1/16" piece of solder in a circle with a 1/4" diameter to place between the battery +ve and the screw cap and it works fine and lasts. The lens is a bit slower than the GSN. But it sure is a nice feeling camera in the hand. The EV locked exposure takes a few moments to get used to, but if I can do it.... Peter
farlymac
PF McFarland
Greyscale
Veteran
I think that Phil meant zinc-air, not silver oxide.
68degrees
Well-known
how do you like it compared to the Himatic 7s?
farlymac
PF McFarland
Wouldn't know, I don't have a 7s. And I haven't used my Minister D yet, as it's in the cue for repair (battery chamber crud). The D has one of the better EVS systems to use. I have a Minimatic C (shutter priority Auto with selenium cell), and a model J (fully manual un-metered) I really like.
PF
btgc
Veteran
Let me express what I think about Minister D, not even owning it. To me, great deal is ergonomics, how camera handles. It can have great lens but if it doesn't stick to my hands I just don't like to use it.
This Minister is manual camera, this means there is no extra linkage between release and shutter. Most of manual exposure fixed lens rangefinders have much better shutter release than those with means of AE. Say, Yashica Electro 35 (large models) are no-no for me because of stiff, long travel shutter release. Yashica Lynx 5000 which is successor of Minister, feels like a silk. I haven't ever handled Hi-Matic 7 (nor 7s or 7sII) but there's exposure automation so I expect Minister to better them out.
Now, controls. Take a look on control rings of Minister or Lynx - they are well defined and separated each from other. They were intended to be used. On automated FL RF's they often are too narrow and placed too close - either to body or each to other. Look at 7s...you see it's automatic camera made to be used mostly in AE mode.
You say, lens? To each his own but I yet have to find camera with TOO BAD lens, they all are better than my skills. This is very personal, I agree, so take my words as assumption not a rule.
This Minister is manual camera, this means there is no extra linkage between release and shutter. Most of manual exposure fixed lens rangefinders have much better shutter release than those with means of AE. Say, Yashica Electro 35 (large models) are no-no for me because of stiff, long travel shutter release. Yashica Lynx 5000 which is successor of Minister, feels like a silk. I haven't ever handled Hi-Matic 7 (nor 7s or 7sII) but there's exposure automation so I expect Minister to better them out.
Now, controls. Take a look on control rings of Minister or Lynx - they are well defined and separated each from other. They were intended to be used. On automated FL RF's they often are too narrow and placed too close - either to body or each to other. Look at 7s...you see it's automatic camera made to be used mostly in AE mode.
You say, lens? To each his own but I yet have to find camera with TOO BAD lens, they all are better than my skills. This is very personal, I agree, so take my words as assumption not a rule.
petronius
Veteran
This is true for me too!
farlymac
PF McFarland
I got to looking at the D last night, and decided to go ahead and clean out the battery holder. Slipped a 657 zinc-air into it with a steel washer to take up the extra space, and the meter came alive. So I loaded a roll of FP-4 this morning, and took off to find a subject to shoot.
It's a very well thought out camera, with the controls nicely placed. As I said before, it has one of the best EVS systems for handling I've come across. Most are a pain to get things lined up, or to override, but this one just works great. Set the shutter speed, then use the outer ring to control the aperture after making a reading with the (CdS) meter. On the more contrasty shots, where the sun was out, I chose what aperture to use. But when it got cloudy, I started checking the meter readings, and they were spot on what I was figuring with Sunny-16.
I'll post the shots after getting them developed and scanned.
PF
It's a very well thought out camera, with the controls nicely placed. As I said before, it has one of the best EVS systems for handling I've come across. Most are a pain to get things lined up, or to override, but this one just works great. Set the shutter speed, then use the outer ring to control the aperture after making a reading with the (CdS) meter. On the more contrasty shots, where the sun was out, I chose what aperture to use. But when it got cloudy, I started checking the meter readings, and they were spot on what I was figuring with Sunny-16.
I'll post the shots after getting them developed and scanned.
PF
68degrees
Well-known
nice report. I like EVS numbers on the controls too. Retina IIc EVS is easy to line up IMO. The minolta 7s has it as well but not nearly as good. Im seriously considering getting a Minister D in my hands (for further evaluation haha). Too bad doesnt come in black.
Takkun
Ian M.
Not to be completely off topic, but the second shot isn't at Campus & university in seattle, is it?
Moto-Uno
Moto-Uno
^ Actually the shot is in Vancouver off 12th at a corner store. The bike is a kind of fixture there. Peter
farlymac
PF McFarland
minister-D
minister-D
Yashica Minister-D by br1078phot, on Flickr
Got to looking at my database, and found out this takes an alkaline battery (PX625A). It also comes with two different lenses, in 1.9 or 2.8/45mm. I'll be picking up my first roll later today.
PF
minister-D
Yashica Minister-D by br1078phot, on Flickr
Got to looking at my database, and found out this takes an alkaline battery (PX625A). It also comes with two different lenses, in 1.9 or 2.8/45mm. I'll be picking up my first roll later today.
PF
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