Yashica Macro Photography

[koniczech]

Hey all,

Before getting my GSN, I used to dabble in very close-range photography, usually with my digital p&s (which focused by pressing left or right) or a rented dslr (zoom and focus) but I have noticed that with the GSN, the closest possible minimum focus range is "2.6" ft. Does this mean my macro days are over with this camera?

koniczech

 

[payasam]

The range-finder design does not lend itself to close focussing. Leitz got around this limitation by making a variety of devices, and they did function: but the SLR is best at this kind of work.

 

[btgc]

Unless you get Oral Eye flavour of Electro 🙂

 

[matt_s]

Close up and Yashica

Close up and Yashica

Paysam is correct- the rangefinder is not the best tool for close up work. But Yashica did make close up adapters for most of their models- they were called "auto-up" adapters.

Essentially you clip a magnifying glass in front of your lens and viewfinder, and can now focus as close as 18". Not a great macro, but pretty fun anyway.

Here is a picture I found (not mine...)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/flashover_photography/2750336982/

Good Luck

Matt

 

[oftheherd]

Well, the auto up will no doubt make things easier for those who don't know how or don't want to take the time. I have never used one but many people have and seem to think they are good. However, there is another way.

Older cameras, and maybe some newer ones as well, have a mark on the back of the top deck. It is a circle with a line. The line is where the film plane is. That can be used to measure from the film plane to the subject when you use a closeup filter. Here is one I took hurridly without a tripod (With a Canonet, not a Yashica). http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/data/500/flowerRFF.jpg Tripods are best.

A tripod that has a column that can be laid donw and moved closer or farther, like some of the old Velbons is the best, but not a requirement. Just move the legs as you measure. Some of the older photo books you can find in libraries or used book stores should tell you how to do it.

You don't have to give up close up photos, just learn a new technique. Now some may say close up filters are not as good as a macro lens. That is right. But how many use a macro or just the macro setting on a zoom? Not as good as a dedicated macro eiither. Close up filters aren't much heard of these days, but they do work, even if not the best compared to a macro.