Yashica Collection suggestions...

All the TLR's are great. The lenses are either Yashicor/triplet or Yashinon/tessar. The Lumuxar lens is uncommon and is a tessar. It performs nearly identical to tge Yashinon which is to say superb.
The Lynx I prefer is the 5000 model. It has a f1.8/45 lens and is much smaller than the Lynx 14. Mine has a 1/1000 shutter in it. Fastest FL classic lead shutter and full manual. It's a brilliant little camera and a must for yashica rf enthusiasts.
 
Sooo.... the Minister is looking good for the Selenium cell and the "no battery required" thingie.

What about a Minimatic? Looks tempting. Any cons to this camera?
 
The thing with any camera that has a selenium cell meter is that they are usually dead, or way off by now. And a camera that has a coupled meter that is dead will also be nothing more than a shelf rider, but if the meter is uncoupled (only used for measurement instead of actual control), then the camera can still be used, as the settings can be done manually.

PF
 
Farlymac, I hear yah...but... I purchased an Oly PEN EE-3 from Frontman..and it's a FANTASTIC camera...totally functional and precise.

So maybe just caveat emptor?
 
On the old cameras that use selenium cells, the cells seem to last much longer if the camera is kept in a case, or if a lens cap is fitted so that the cell is only exposed to light when the camera is in use. You can usually compensate for a meter which is off a stop nor two by adjusting the ASA setting.
 
It's definitely caveat emptor time when dealing with a selenium meter. That said, I bought a BEWI meter from certo6 so I could have something for my meterless rangefinders, and it is still working perfectly. And I just shot an Argus CC that still has a functioning meter, so the good ones do exist. I'm just saying it's best to be carefull when buying a camera with a coupled selenium meter, because even if it works now, that won't always be the case. And all the companies that used to swap out the cells are long gone. I just wish someone would make a new CdS meter with a accessory shoe mount that was affordable. That Voigtlander meter is more expensive than five of my cameras combined.

PF
 
Wootage!!!! Just added a Minister and a CCN to my collection via Frontman's most excellent refurb service. But WHOA!!! That Minister is a herking big chunk 'o metal :) Now I have to figure out what all the dials and settings are .... Gotta go to butkus.org and donate again for the manual.
 
How Many different varieties?

How Many different varieties?

Last count 37 different Yashica Rangefinders. 15 Electros, all different in some way or another.
Got a Minister 700 a couple of weeks ago.
Very Rare Beast. For me the GX is the best Electro. And the Professionals are nice (2 Different versions.)
I think i am missing the Lynx 14E, CCN and another one that escapes me for the moment.
Plus i have a couple of TLR`s, and quite a few half Frames. The case for the Half 17`s is an amazing feat of design in itself. Worth buying a Camera just to look at one!
Would love a Half 14! If anyone out there is looking to get rid?
 
Frontman might be able to get for you....

As for GX vs GSN. I have the GX..but no GSN...should I get a GSN? I reeeellly like the smaller frame CC and CCN I have...thinking of getting an MC.
 
Chinasaur said:
As for GX vs GSN. I have the GX..but no GSN...should I get a GSN? I reeeellly like the smaller frame CC and CCN I have...thinking of getting an MC.
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If your collection is meant to cover every model of compact cameras made by Yashica, then get GSN by any means. If you just get cameras to use, then there's no real reason for bulky GSN if you have GX assuming you are OK with 40mm focal length. MC basically is cheaper option of slower 40mm lens without rangefinder, so GX is superset of MC. I don't have GX and don't need it because I have MC, but I use other cameras for sub-f2 shots.

P.S. what do you mean by "smaller frame CC and CCN" - smaller size? They all are full-frame models, Yashica made half-frame models but none is on your list.
 
Chinasaur said:
Frontman might be able to get for you....

As for GX vs GSN. I have the GX..but no GSN...should I get a GSN? I reeeellly like the smaller frame CC and CCN I have...thinking of getting an MC.
Click to expand...

It's hard to say which one to get, The GS and GSN camera are basically the same, I would only prefer the GSN if I used a flash, as the GSN has a hot shoe. The black GT and GTN are very nice. I have a GT which is close to mint condition. The MC is the tiniest of the Electros, they are rather inexpensive in America and Europe, but in Japan they are the most expensive of the Electros, with the black models usually costing over $200.

I come across the Half 17 and Half 14 from time to time, but I haven't picked one up because I've never used a half frame camera, and getting one in clean working condition is difficult.

I did score a good one today, a nearly new looking black Olympus SP. It's not a Yashica, but my collection of Yashicas is nearing the triple digits, so it's nice to find something different.
 
I have been fascinated by the Yashica Rapide for some time now. If you are looking to have a Yashica collection (that is not just Electro models), you should have at least one of their half-frame models. The Rapide is just super-cool, with its pull-cord film advance and front mounted meter.

Good Luck,

Matt
 
btgc said:
P.S. what do you mean by "smaller frame CC and CCN" - smaller size? They all are full-frame models, Yashica made half-frame models but none is on your list.
Click to expand...

BT, sorry :) Was meaning the size of the camera body..not the film frame size :) Thanks for the insight into the camera line. I'm going going for everything...just a sampling of the highlights I think..For now anyway...
 
Frontman said:
The MC is the tiniest of the Electros, they are rather inexpensive in America and Europe, but in Japan they are the most expensive of the Electros, with the black models usually costing over $200.
Click to expand...

If anyone is looking for black 35MC, I could be talked into selling mine for us$200 :)
 
Chinasaur said:
Frontman, are you really saying you have almost 100 Yashica's??? :eek:
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Yes, I have nearly 100 Yashicas. Most are CC and GX models, the rest are full size-cameras. I think I have cornered the market on these... I even have new-in-the-box CC, CCN, GX, and GSN cameras.
 
I acquired a little black GX a while back. It's quickly becoming a favourite. The 800 speed film setting is a nice bonus. I probably like it more than my CC which cost me more.
 
Finally got a GX (black body), via Frontman (Thanks Again!). I'm glad now that I decided to get it, as it took very little time for me to be comfortable with it. It is just the perfect size, the lens is the right length, and I don't have to buy any filters for it since it can share with my Nikons. Not having to figure filter factors is a plus also. It has all the attributes of the GL, without the bulk. And one improvement is the ASA/ISO slide lever is locking, unlike on the GL. Good thing todays films have lots of lattitude.

I had to pass on a set of aux lenses for this camera, since they were only $10 less than what the camera cost total, and coming from Spain, that drove up the shipping. Figured I would rather have the camera to shoot than have to wait until I could save up enough to get one later.

I figure now I can concentrate on getting the other Yashicas I have in good running order, and pick up some for the collection in no particular priority or hurry. Sooner or later I'll get a 120 model, a 35mm half-frame, and a 110, so I'll have one of every format Yashica made. Then I can start looking at the older rangefinders, even the LTM models.

PF
 
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