Problem using Zeiss on Yashica body

sooner

sooner

Well-known
Local time
3:59 PM
Joined
Mar 1, 2005
Messages
690
Location
Oklahoma
View My Gallery
Hi folks, I'm hoping for some advice. I just bought a Yashica fox-3 super 2000. I noticed the Yashica lens that came with it doesn't click firmly into place, though it's not loose and I'm able to take pictures. But when I mounted a Contax c/y lens and press the shutter the mirror stays up, blacking out the viewfinder indefinitely. I don't know if the shutter stayed open or it was just an issue with the mirror. The only way to get it down again was to start to remove the lens, after which the mirror goes down again. Is this a defective camera, or am I loading the lens wrong, or are some contax lenses not compatible? Any insight would be appreciated!
 
Thanks for the thoughts, but the mirror works fine with the Yashica lens. It’s just with the Zeiss lens that the problem occurs.
 
Just speculation here, I don't know the system. But the only way I can imagine the lens could possibly have a effect on the mirror (short of a rear element blocking the mirror) is if the stop-down-action is somehow coupled to the mirror release. Does the lens stop down or open up the aperture without undue resistance when you wiggle the little lever that the body activates?
 
The Zeiss lens may have a thicker flange tab.
Putting just enough extra pressure to cause the mirror to jam.

I use a lot of Zeiss/Contax gear for 30+ years... never had incompatibility.
I have had a mirror that had come loose on a 139 body but did not fall out.... It had to be re-glued.
I wonder if your mirror slipped forward??

It’s possible the lens was disassembled and re-assembled incorrectly.
Do you have another c/y camera to test it on?
If it helps to know, I have the Zeiss 45 Tessar on an FX3 2000 and it’s fine.
The camera has been used with Zeiss 50 1.4 and f2.8/85 as well with no problems.
 
Well, the mirror could slide towards the lens (a very common problem with the Contax RX e.g.), since it is only fixed with a strip of glue to the mechanism. This would not effect all lenses, Zeiss lenses typically protrude deeper into the camera body than their Yeshica equivalents (hence one cannot use most Zeiss lenses with the Eos 5d series).
 
I’ll try a different lens, the problem one is a 50 1.7. Just to clarify, shouldn’t the Yashica lens “click” into place? I’m thinking it must have something to do with the fact the lens doesn’t snap all the way. But I tested it and the Yashica does stop down when the shutter fires.
 
Does the lens Yeshica lens "lock" or can you just twist it off? There might be a problem with the Yeshica lens and the mirror.
 
Ok, so I tried the Contax 45 pancake lens. It mounted with no give but still had the mirror lockup problem as with the other Contax lens. Any other thoughts?
 
sooner said:
I’ll try a different lens, the problem one is a 50 1.7. Just to clarify, shouldn’t the Yashica lens “click” into place? I’m thinking it must have something to do with the fact the lens doesn’t snap all the way. But I tested it and the Yashica does stop down when the shutter fires.
Click to expand...

Yes, if it's a Yashica lens, it should latch with a notch in the top bayonet lug.

So either the notch in the bayonet lug is very worn (happens once in while), or it isn't a Yashica lens at all (just having a very similar-sized bayonet). (Well, the latter's unlikely, you said it's a Yashica lens.)
 
Press the lens release button and look for the moving tab inside the top of the body's bayonet mount. This tab engages a notch in the bayonet on the lens. It's possible the tab mechanism is a bit sticky, or the notch on the lens is a bit worn. As long as the lens cannot be released without pressing the button, I wouldn't be concerned if it "clicks" into place or not.

Your issue with the mirror is unrelated to this. It's a known problem with many C/Y mount bodies, (and as others have mentioned here) it's caused by the mirror slipping forward towards the lens over time. I have a Contax RTSII body with the same problem - works fine with the Zeiss 28mm lens, but the mirror gets stuck with the Zeiss 50/1.7. Here's a link to the Camera Repair Forum discussing this: https://www.rangefinderforum.com/classics/forum/messages/20735/17306.html?1261275696

Easy fix if you care to take the time to do so.
 
I have an FX-2 and if the mirror fixture is the same in the FX-3 (quite likely), the mirror cannot slide forwards because it sits in a metal frame that will not allow any movement. I have no problems with Contax lenses on the FX-2 and there shouldn't be with the FX-3 either.
 
Kai-san said:
I have an FX-2 and if the mirror fixture is the same in the FX-3 (quite likely), the mirror cannot slide forwards because it sits in a metal frame that will not allow any movement. I have no problems with Contax lenses on the FX-2 and there shouldn't be with the FX-3 either.
Click to expand...

Kai,

FX-2 on the one hand and FX-3 and the FX-3 Super 2000 in question on the other hand are *very* different. FX-2 = 690 g vs. FX-3 = 450 g, e.g.

http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Yashica_FX-2
http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Yashica_FX-3
 
FX-3 2000 was built by Cosina around the same body as many other Cosina built model (nikon fm10, Olympus OM2000 others...)

It's a different body than all the other Yashica or Contax bodies built by Kyocera.
I like it.. Super lightweight and simple. The self timer locks up the mirror for slow Shutter speeds on a tripod.
Nice functional body with a good shutter but the other materials are cheap which is part of the lightweight.
 
Your problem is a slipped mirror. Check the bottom edge of the mirror. It shouldn't overhang the frame. I suspect yours does.

Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk
 
sooner said:
Hi folks, I'm hoping for some advice. I just bought a Yashica fox-3 super 2000. I noticed the Yashica lens that came with it doesn't click firmly into place, though it's not loose and I'm able to take pictures. But when I mounted a Contax c/y lens and press the shutter the mirror stays up, blacking out the viewfinder indefinitely. I don't know if the shutter stayed open or it was just an issue with the mirror. The only way to get it down again was to start to remove the lens, after which the mirror goes down again. Is this a defective camera, or am I loading the lens wrong, or are some contax lenses not compatible? Any insight would be appreciated!
Click to expand...

@sooner, I believe you have a defective camera. The Yashica lens should click into place, as should the Zeiss.

I've mounted the 50 f/1.7 on many Yashica bodies and used it with no problems. I no longer have an FX-3 Super to try, but I'll bet yours has a problem.
 
Thanks for the thoughts, I’ll return the camera as it was an EBay purchase and I’m not willing to risk messing up the mirror even more with my own remedy. Ugh.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
Help with GW690 (winding mechanism)
Replies
4
Views
214
jcapunta
J
S
Fixing the Yashica Electro 35 self timer
Replies
3
Views
790
Seevo
S
J
  • Article Article
Weird & Wonderful Scale Focusing 35mm cameras: 11 cool models of bygone era that are still fun user-collectibles!
Replies
10
Views
932
Muggins
Muggins
B
Anyone using Contax C/Y Mount SLR lenses on mirrorless (Nikon, Sony etc.)?
2 3
Replies
40
Views
7K
Godfrey
Godfrey
Bololoco
Cameras to fix
2
Replies
31
Views
1K
fub
F
Back
Top Bottom