Tips for a new Yashica user

[ras3248]

Well, I am a college student who was on a low budget when looking for a good 35mm camera, so I ended up going with your poll question (the best $50 RF) and chose the Yashica. I bought it mostly to gain experience with controlling light and exposure. Anyway, now that I have it, what would you tell me to do with it? Where do I start? What's the best films for certain environments? etc etc etc.

First, let me say that I am a film production major and have experience with my Sony HDR-FX1 video camera and a friends Digital SLR. Any advice for a rookie?

 

[bgb]

Did you get a GSN or some other electro?

Always remove the lens cap

You need to calculate a filter factor if you fit filters

Standard lens shade is not brilliant and accessory ones i believe block the meter and part of the viewfinder

I use mine with no filter most of the time ... filters are 55mm screw in

You set the aperture IT sets the shutter speed so watch you depth of field ... it's easy in low light to have a very shallow DOF ... and sometimes that's good others not so good.

I have just used print film in mine Fuji 200 from the supermarket and i was very pleased.

Check the light seals ... easy to replace with Jon Goodmans kit ...

Manual available online for free

http://www.butkus.org/chinon/yashica.htm

Welcome to RFF

 

[kknox]

Glad you got the camera ok. It had just had a full cla before I bought it, only shot one roll with it all perfect. Great camera, great lens, enjoy.

 

[ras3248]

yes, big thanks to you, kknox. cant wait to try it out tomorrow.

and yes, it is a GSN

 

[bgb]

Very nice indeed especially with a recent cla

 

[Frontman]

I like shooting black and white. It's cheap, easy to find, and I can develop it myself simply and inexpensively. I prefer 400 speed films, like Tri-X or Neopan, as they seem to work well in a variety of lighting situations.

You might want to take notes on your first roll, and shoot it under a variety of conditions, which will give you an idea what works well and what doesn't with your camera.

Once you figure out how your camera works, do some searches on the internet on photographic composition. Take notes, and use them. Go to libraries and bookstores and look at the works of good photographers and see what style or styles inspire you, then go out and have fun.

 

[parsec1]

Just ben given an almost mint GSN with the two aux lenses and finder.
Can anybody help with a little history and a hint of its value. I intend to add it to my collection so this would be for insurance only

Thank you
Peter

 

[b1bmsgt]

Under $100.00.

You can probably pass on the insurance... 😀

 

[bgb]

I have a mint GSN that i got for $25 New Zealand dollars

So despite being beautiful she is not valuable in $ terms.

 

[parsec1]

Thank you MSgt Sisco and bgb.
Seems these cameras are much undervalued for their spec.
I had better load it and shoot with it for a couple of days and see how it works particulaly with the w/a-tele lens converters. I guess the focal length would be about 36 mm for the wide angle and 65-70 with the tele ?.

Now if only I could find the slot for the memory card.................
Best Regards.
Peter.

 

[ZeissFan]

Make sure that it has a fresh battery. Otherwise, the shutter will only release at 1/500.

 

[gb hill]

Now if only I could find the slot for the memory card.................
Best Regards.
Peter.

Nice camera, Mine cost $10.00 almost mint...and it indeed uses those old cartridge type memory cards.😀

 

[parsec1]

Nice camera, Mine cost $10.00 almost mint...and it indeed uses those old cartridge type memory cards.😀

Just had a browse thu your Flickr photostream.
Some real iconic America amongst these pictures , simple but very emotive and shot with a great feel for your country. Very very nice !
Peter.

Peter 32 on flickr............

 

[bgb]

I have tried a petal lens hood on my GSN recently and noticed no vignetting in the corners at all ... sure it obscures the viewfinder in the bottom right corner but it's ok sort of

I got this one in NZ
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/Camera-accessories/Other/auction-282643470.htm

But Ebay has something similar
Item number: 220582847709

Anyone else had luck with one of these hoods?

 

[btgc]

I somehow missed which from many Yashica RF's (small Electro, large Electro, Lynx, other) OP has got. Personally I have mixed feelings with Electro RF's so Lynx series is my choice, especially Lynx 5000 as more practical thing. With any of this cameras some touch may be needed (most of times). Electro series have best RF patch out of box, others may need replacing semisilvered mirror in VF.

After using fixed lens RF's some time my only advice is - do not acquire many of them, instead buy more film and shoot, learning how to use your camera with it's limitations. RF bug bites quickly and recovery may be long.

 

[b1bmsgt]

Yeah, I like the Lynx's better as well. Picked up a real nice 14e a few months ago.


Wish I was strong enough to pick it up... 😀


Russ

 

[ErnestoJL]

My only advice is: if the camera seems to work as expected, just shoot a test roll.
If results are what you´ve been looking for, then buy lots of film (best choice IMHO, ISO 400) and enjoy it!

This is the lesson I´ve learned some time ago when I bought my first YE35, (BTW a camera I misjudged for more than thirty years).
Now, the second has arrived.

Cheers
Ernesto