Yashica Lynx... 14 or 14e?

[nic]

Hey everybody!

I'm planning on buying the beast.... a Yashica Lynx 14.
There are two versions out afaik... the 14, I think it's the older one, uses one battery, has light meter indicators on top of the cam and in the viewfinder, the 14e has two batteries and just shows the exposure information in the VF...

Which one do you prefer? is there a cause to avoid one of these models?

How much would you be willing to pay for a decent (supposedly fully working) one?

Thanks a lot,
Nic

 

[bmattock]

Hey everybody!

I'm planning on buying the beast.... a Yashica Lynx 14.
There are two versions out afaik... the 14, I think it's the older one, uses one battery, has light meter indicators on top of the cam and in the viewfinder, the 14e has two batteries and just shows the exposure information in the VF...

Which one do you prefer? is there a cause to avoid one of these models?

How much would you be willing to pay for a decent (supposedly fully working) one?

Thanks a lot,
Nic

Wasn't this exact question asked about a week ago on RFF?

 

[nic]

oops...didn't see your post....sorry for not searching first 🙂

 

[bmattock]

oops...didn't see your post....sorry for not searching first 🙂

Actually, I didn't see it again after mentioning it here, so perhaps I've gone and lost my mind again.

I found this on pnet:

Daryl Jorud , Feb 03, 2004; 06:58 p.m.

Benny, I have both cameras. The top deck meter indicator is a nice feature of the 14...advantage 14. The meter of the 14E, with internal LEDs is probably more rugged...advantage 14E. 14 calls for PX625 mercury cell, while 14E calls for PX640 mercury cell. Adapters like CRIS MR9 (others available too) allow use of the 14 with easy to find hearing aid batteries. PX640A cells (alkaline, 1.5v) are currently available through Radio Shack....expensive and who knows how much longer they will be available. Adapters are available for this battery, but are spendy if you get the best. Battery advantage arguably goes to the 14 . Service for both cameras is available from Mark Hama, who knows these cameras better than anyone else. He replaced the degraded mirrors in the rangefinder of both of my cameras, and also the mirror for the internal meter indicator on the 14. Both cameras now functon like NEW! These are heavy beasts, so be prepared to buy a nice Op-Tech strap if you intend to tote them around for any length of time. I like both models. In twilight conditions, I use he 14E due to the LEDs. Otherwise, I like the needle indicator of the 14 as it seems more precise when making over/under exposures. Lest I forget, they are truly awesome picture-takers, too!

I have both cameras, I like both cameras, but I could not tell you which one I prefer, I like them the same. I do not use the meters, so I have no idea what metering system is better. As the fellow on pnet said, they're unreliable and subject to corrosion, and I have found that to be true as well. One last thing - if you use the camera, get yourself a nice metal lens shade. This lens is amazing, but subject to flare.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The Lynx 14e is newer. I've had two Lynx 14's and one 14e. The beamsplitters were bad on the older Lynx 14's. The 14e fared much better. Also- the 14 uses a mirror to produce the image of the meter needle in the finder. It had corroded on one of my Lynx 14's and had to be replaced.

 

[nic]

thanks for your help - I think I'll wait for a good deal on a 14e....

 

[btgc]

When it comes to manual RF's I don't value much their metering aids (I'm not using modern RF cameras with current metering). External meter is fine to make readings time from time, I've never used them adjusting exposure before each shot, especially using built-in meters. For me question of choice is whether I want to carry external meter or go by exposure chart.

So for me 14e is Lynx with clean top plate while 14 has meter readout on top. I like font used on 14 more. Make sure which advance lever you like more - they differ little by a tailing part.

 

[vbarniev]

I have the 14E. Never had the 14. Use the meter's camera without a problem. Slides and B&W.

 

[howpow]

I also have both but find the lights on the 14e hard to see in bright daylight and far prefer the 14 in these conditions. In low light conditions the 14e improves. I suspect that the 14e's metering might be a little more accurate but if I had to choose just one it would be the 14. I also have a Lynx 5000 and that's a great little camera.
Good luck.

 

[Dave S.]

I have both the 14 and the 14e. I had them both overhauled by Mark Hama. When he overhauled them he converted them to take 2 X A640 1.5 V for Lynx 14E and 625S(silver) 1.5V for Lynx 14 (included in the price of the overhaul). I prefer the 14 because I use the meter readout on the top deck and I like the needle meter readout in the viewfinder.

It is interesting to hear that several other people own both the 14 and the 14e. I ended up with both by chance and have toyed with the idea of selling one, but could never bring myself to do it. They're just such nice cameras.

I would suggest buying either model in cosmetically nice condition (with its original case if possible) and then sending it off to Mark Hama for an overhaul. You'll have a truly great camera you can shoot for decades.

-Dave