Yashica electro serial numbers

[tunznath]

I was wondering if it would be of any use to start a list of the serial numbers of the cameras that are on the list. Also does anyone have an idea about how the serial numbers worked - I found this on a chinese website - excuse the translation courtesy of google
Aircraft=fuselage=camera body

"
G series aircraft were eight aircraft (Super 35-type prototype is seven and Professional), is expressed by the first year (for example, eight representatives in 1968, 0 in 1970 representatives, five representatives in 1975), which is in the affirmative; The latter two are month (01-- January, 11--11 months) not quite sure, but now has seen more than 12, should be no problem. There are no representatives of the five behind the function is unknown. Under the serial number can be very convenient to know the cameras production time. However, the machine was later transferred to the production series, plus a series of the former H, No. law seems to have changed. "
Nathan

 

[KoNickon]

From the translation, it's hard to know if this is even talking about a camera! Check the Yashica Guy's website; I don't recall whether he has serial number information there, but that's a great place to start.

Has anyone written any sort of history of Yashica? Seems to me that's a subject long overdue. At their peak they were making SLRs, rangefinders, TLRs, and 110 cameras -- pretty impressive range of products.

 

[ARCHIVIST]

I tried to contact the Yashica company via their Australian Agent some yeras back with a view to writing a historty of both the company and cameras. No luck - no replies.
Through a private search I traced Yashica back to Yashima then Yashima back to a TLR with the intersting name of Pidgeonflex. It appears that the Pidgeonflex TLR was the inspiration for the first Yahimaflex TLR which then became Yashicaflex. Look at the early Yashica 35 RFs - Made by Yashima Optical Co.
I had 64 Yashica TLRs in my collection ( excluding the 44s ) out of a possible 65! Many variants I had collected were not in the 'books'. Alas most have been sold
to pay for house renovations.
Regards
Peter

 

[ARCHIVIST]

The Yashica serial number sequence - well, there does not appear to be one. As the company changed direction and owners over the years the numbering seems not to have followed any type of sequence / pattern. On the rare occasion I was able to talk to Yashica management it appears that they did not keep records of production batches past the initial need for such information. I think the 'H' at the beginning of the Electo's serial number refers to it being manufactured in Hong Kong where the type was last made.
Regards
Peter

 

[tunznath]

I was thinking more of a list to see who had what and how the serial nos seemed to fit which models, It could be useful to someone at some stage???

 

[luketrash]

I can try to post mine.. I have 6 e35 cameras ranging from the Professional to a couple of GSNs

 

[ARCHIVIST]

A friend of mine did this with Miranda cameras - drove him nuts - he was able to see patterns emerging with regards to model distribution around the world but that was about it.
I can see where you are coming from and such info may be helpful to an overall history on Yashica. Similar to the serial number charts you find in books on Leica etc.
A long & tedious job.

Peter

 

[tunznath]

arent we nuts already - analogue in a digital world???

 

[ARCHIVIST]

My Law

My Law

arent we nuts already - analogue in a digital world???

When I start a new class / semester, either novice or diploma level, I always write my law on the white board:

Colour is vulgar.
Digital is only a passing fad.

Great conversation starter!

Peter

_______________________________

 

[Kapa]

Going by the very vague translation at the beginning of this
thread, my YE35 "G" with a snr: H 957369 would possibly
mean it was manufactured in Hong Kong in 1969.....?

Is it true that the Hong Kong made Electro's were of poorer
quality than the Japanese?

 

[Superbus_]

I have the same question like Kapa, my ye gsn 35 serial number is also beginning with "H". Was it made in Hong Kong?

 

[jody]

Here are mine maybe it helps, from what I see if it's made in Japan it says so on camera.

Lynx 5000E 8071688 Japan
Lynx 14E 8110645 Japan
Minister D T215250 Japan
TL 11840014 Japan
TL Super 10401072 Japan
Electro 35 81207161 Japan
Electro 35 GT 90809233 Japan
Electro 35 GSN H879119

The last one is the only one without Japan on it, I believe that there is no knowledge to garner fron SN on Yashicas

 

[KoNickon]

I'm pretty sure my "H" GSN is stamped "made in Hong Kong."

 

[ARCHIVIST]

Quality Still As Good!

Quality Still As Good!

KAPA,
The quality still remained the same. The move to Hong Kong for production was purely based on economics. The main componenets such as shutter mechs. and lenses etc. were all made in Japan. Hong Kong just assembled them to Yashica standards.
In 1983 I spent a short time as photographics buyer for Woolworths Australia and I ranged the Yashica Electro 35 GSN and the MG-1 in the larger stores. This must be towards the end of production as the cost price was as cheap as chips. We had no returns for warranty claims and all were made in HK.

Peter