blumoon
Well-known
I recently got a Yashica J. It looks fine, but it doesn't seem to focus.
Is there a way to fix it?
Is there a way to fix it?
johnf04
Well-known
Is the lens not focusing, or is the rangefinder image not moving?
blumoon
Well-known
The rangefinder image is not moving.
The lens seems somewhat focused, but nothing changes when moving the focus lever.
The lens seems somewhat focused, but nothing changes when moving the focus lever.
johnf04
Well-known
I have a post here: http://cameracollector.proboards.com/thread/6805/yashica-yk-rangefinder covering the Yashica YK, an older cousin of the J. This shows the rangefinder, and how to open the top of the camera to access it. Your problem is probably caused by old lubricant gumming up the linkages under the rangefinder.
farlymac
PF McFarland
A lot of the older Yashica rangefinders were very similar, sometimes using the same parts from one model to the next, so John's YK work will help you.
Make sure though that the lens is actually moving when you push the focus lever, as sometimes they will decouple. Most likely though it is just a stuck lever from old lubricant. When you re-lube it, I suggest using a synthetic like Super Lube®. A little goes a long way.
Once you get it sorted out, you should be able to get results like these https://flic.kr/s/aHsjFyDjGA
PF
Make sure though that the lens is actually moving when you push the focus lever, as sometimes they will decouple. Most likely though it is just a stuck lever from old lubricant. When you re-lube it, I suggest using a synthetic like Super Lube®. A little goes a long way.
Once you get it sorted out, you should be able to get results like these https://flic.kr/s/aHsjFyDjGA
PF
Jack Conrad
Well-known
I recently had the same problem with a late 50's Ricoh 500
and was able to access the focus lever from inside the film gate.
No top removal necessary. I just applied some naptha judiciously
to the lever hinge point and worked it up and down till the old grease
loosened up.
Don't think it works that way on the Yashica, though.
and was able to access the focus lever from inside the film gate.
No top removal necessary. I just applied some naptha judiciously
to the lever hinge point and worked it up and down till the old grease
loosened up.
Don't think it works that way on the Yashica, though.
bharg
Newbie
hi, i know this was written a long time ago, but i'm newly into film photography and running into a similar issue with the YK. looks like the photos in this thread have expired / are no longer appearing, do you still have photos of your opening up the camera to repair the rangefinder?
johnf04
Well-known
Hi there bharg - I have attached the photos from the Camera Collector post here.
