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Yashica TLRs

Yashica produced a long series of TLRs from the early 1950s through to the late 1980s. They include a mix of very good and not-so-good, although all of them tend to be regarded as good value for money workhorses now. For the models after the Yashicaflexes, Peter Williams' site is good, with a lot of detail on the lenses and models - it does contain a number of errors in the detail however.  Sugiyama's coverage of the extensive Yashica range is somewhat sketchy; McKeown is a bit better, although some areas are not quite right and some important transitional models are missing.

As you will see, the first camera in this section is the Pigeonflex. A little bit of extra corporate/camera history. Up until 1958, Yashica was called Yashima Optical Seiki. Before the first Yashicaflex came the Yashimaflex of 1953 (one of which I have yet to acquire, but there's a picture on the linked Pigeonflex page - q.v. below). The Yashimaflex is itself an evolution out of this - rather endearingly ornithological - model, made by Shinano Optical Co. Sugiyama shows two Pigeonflexes, one from 1953 and the other from 1954 - the former from Shinano and the latter from Yashima. So the earliest Pigeonflex shown in Sugiyama dates from around 1953, and it seems probable (although I have no definitive source for this) that Yashima took over manufacture from Shinano and briefly produced the Yashimaflex and a revised Pigeonflex model alongside each other. I could have this wrong - perhaps Yashima originally bought in the Yashimaflex as a rebadged Pigeonflex?

Either way, from 1954, the more sophisticated Yashicaflex models began to appear - starting with the radical new Yashicaflex S, first Japanese camera with a selenium meter onboard. Surprisingly, most commentators on the web (including Williams) are only really interested in the "Yashica" and "Yashica Mat" TLRs and often largely ignore the "Yashicaflex" series, which partly preceded and partly paralleled the former. I haven't found any persuasive reason why Yashica used the name variants. Initially, I suspect that very roughly in the company's mindset, "Yashicaflex" = Rolleiflex and "Yashica" = Rolleicord. If this WAS so then the pattern soon broke down, and in fact automated crank-winding like the real Rolleiflex didn't arrive on Yashica's TLRs until the "Yashica Mat" series evolved out of its knob-wind predessors.

Nothing is simple here, though. The first "Mat" came out in 1957, when late "'flexes" were still in production. The first "Yashica" - the A - must surely date from rather earlier than this. McKeown dates it at 1959, probably based on his reading of Sugiyama, who shows a "Yashica A-III" with Yashica-A nameplate. I didn't think this made much sense when one looks at the design of the A, lacking Bay-1 filter mounts and with an early Yashimar lens) - but Mark Medin sent me an email to say "I noticed a couple of errors in your page on Yashica TLRs, notably the dates of manufacture/sale for the Yashica A and D models. Both models were available in 1964, as they are shown in a small brochure (copyright 1964)."  Seems strange to me, but maybe someone still wanted an outdated, basic model that late...

In his 2005 AP article (see below), Ivor Matanle goes with McKeown and concludes that the "Yashica" series generally post-dated the "Yashicaflexes", but it seems to me improbable that Yashima/Yashica would have used such clearly early-fifties design features so late, even for cheaper models.

On a separate page, I have included a copy of Ivor's article for Amateur Photographer (28 May 2005) on the history and use of Yashica TLRs. This is by kind permission of the Editor of AP, Garry Coward-Williams. Six of the 120/220 TLRs used in the pictures for this article were borrowed by Ivor from my own collection. In scanning this article, I had difficulty balancing the readability of the text and the quality of the camera pictures - in the end, the latter lost out a bit, but at least you can read the article!

 Most recently, my assiduous correspondent Paul Sokk - based in Australia - has been researching the chronology and family tree of Yashica TLRs at considerable length.  Initially, we published his work in this site, but this has now progressed to the point where he has a whole separate site, which is to be found here.   It is fair to say that we are not always 100% in agreement on certain conclusions, but that is an ongoing dialogue.  If you have any information to clarify his thinking, you can contact Paul on this email address; please also copy me here.

For a discussion on the Tomioka lenses used in all Yashica TLRs click here.

I am actively seeking good examples of the Yashimaflex and Pigeonflex, so please contact me if you have such for sale!

Click on the thumbnail pics to see each model's individual page.
 
 Pigeonflex
The Pigeonflex's history is obscure. As noted above, Sugiyama shows two in the period of transition from Shinano to Yashima. He also shows a Yashimaflex with Tri-Lausar lenses and other great similarities to the later of the two. Where this gets interesting is that MY Pigeonflex has the same shutter as the Yashimaflex, but the same "Pigeonar" lenses as the EARLIER Pigeonflex model. It also looks more like the earlier Pigeonflex in Sugiyama... As so often with Japanese TLRs from the early 'fifties, little is wholly standard about any model. This, by the way, is serial-numbered 50411. Click on the thumbnail at right to see larger pictures - and also a couple of a Yashimaflex (not mine).

Lens: Shinano Koki Pigeonar 80mm f3.5
Shutter: NKS-TB 1 - 1/200




The Yashicaflex Series

Yashicaflex S

This is a fairly early model from 1954 and was launched as the first Japanese camera with a selenium meter, using a huge light sensor under the nameplate. This is a particularly early S model, without the Bay 1 filter mounts.

Taking lens is Yashimar 80mm f3.5
Shutter is Copal 1 to 1/200

Yashicaflex S (later)

Near-identical to the previous model S, but by the time it was made, Yashica had adopted the Bay 1 bayonet filter mount copied from Rollei. The lens is an unusual Heliotar and the shutter is an improved Copal. This lovely camera is in mint condition.

Taking lens is Heliotar 80mm f3.5
Shutter is Copal 1 to 1/300

Yashicaflex A

I'm not sure I have the model designation 100% right here, but it seems probable it was the first (A) non-exposure-metered model - it is an early and basic model, but rather rare - none of the guides shows it and you won't see one very often, although the AII (next) is more common.

Taking lens is Yashimar 80mm f3.5
Shutter is Copal 1/10 to 1/200

Yashicaflex AII

Another early camera - probably from 1954, fairly basic beside contemporary competitors, although it introduced semi-automatic film winding. Not to be confused with the Yashicaflex A2, whuch is an entirely different camera - see below. Differs from the "A" primarily in the design of the Copal shutter, with integrated synch socket.

Taking lens is Yashimar 80mm f3.5
Shutter is Copal 1/10 to 1/200

Yashicaflex C

Rather upmarket from the A model (presumably there was also an early "B" model, but I've never seen or heard of one). The Yashikor lens was supposed to be an improvement on the Yashimar, but I suspect there's little difference, both being rebadged Tri-Lausars from Tomioka.

Taking lens is Yashikor 80mm f3.5
Shutter is Copal 1 to 1/300

Yashicaflex A2

As Yashica produced the B and C Yashicaflex models, it clearly still felt the continued need for a basic model with the basic three-element Yashimar (rebadged Tri-Lausar) lens. The updated A2 dates from 1956, with an improved Citizen-MXV shutter.

Taking lens is Yashimar 80mm f3.5
Shutter is Citizen-MXV 1 to 1/400

Yashicaflex New Model B

In 1957, Yashica launched two new model variants with auto-stop winding - the A and B. The A is simpler with a lesser Copal shutter - a 1/25 to 1/300 version. The B here has Rollei-style settings in a window above the viewing lens, set by two wheels offset between the two lenses.

Taking lens is Yashikor 80mm f3.5
Shutter is Copal MXV 1 to 1/500

Yashicaflex AS

This is also from around 1957, and is substantially similar to the New Model B preceding. Like the Model B, it copies the Rollei setting wheels and window. The only significant differences are the finish of the wheels, the shutter and the nameplate design.

Taking lens is Yashikor 80mm f3.5
Shutter is Citizen MXV 1 to 1/400

  The Yashica Series

Yashica Rookie

The Rookie is an oddball. It is pretty much the same as the Yashica-A (see next), but has the older Yashimar lens. It almost never turns up on sale in Europe or North America, but occasionally in Japan. I can only think that it was primarily a home-market product, using the same bits as the A, and perhaps some older lenses in stock? This one is in quite nice condition.

Taking lens is Yashikor 80mm f3.5
Shutter is rim-set Copal, 1/25 to 1/300

Yashica-A

After the Yashicaflex came the alphabetical series of basic TLRs with three-element lenses. The A was the first of the series - McKeown says in 1959, but this has to be far too late - I'd say somewhere from 1954-7. I have both grey and black models in my collection - identical other than the colour.

Taking lens is Yashikor 80mm f3.5
Shutter is Copal, 1/25 to 1/300

Yashica-B (grey)

This is said to be the rarest Yashica (although I think the Auto - below - is scarcer). McKeown's description is muddled - I'm not sure he's ever seen one. In fact it looks like the C but uses the same shutter as the A. This is an unusual grey one. US websites indicate that they are very hard to find; the only ones I've seen have been in the UK, so maybe it wasn't sold in America for some reason?

Taking lens is Yashikor 80mm f3.5
Shutter is Copal, 1/25 to 1/300

Yashica-B (black)

Only the colour differs from the previous one. This camera had been badly stored when I got it - everything works, but it's due for some cosmetic surgery soon.

Taking lens is Yashikor 80mm f3.5
Shutter is Copal, 1/25 to 1/300

Yashica-C

This looks very like the B. It has the same frontal design with unified lens surround, but it benefits from the new Copal MX shutter to improve its aperture range. It introduced semi-automatic film stop for the first time, but is otherwise a relatively unsophisticated model, still with the basic Yashikor lens.

Taking lens is Yashikor 80mm f3.5
Shutter is Copal MX, 1 to 1/300

Yashica-D

A clear step up, reconfigured like Rollei, with aperture and speed in windows over the viewing lens, set by wheels between the lenses with a new improved shutter. Similar to contemporary Yashica-Mat. Sugiyama dates from 1958, McKeown 1958-74, which makes no sense to me - I'd guess it went out before the end of the fifties.

Taking lens is Yashikor 80mm f3.5
Shutter is Copal MXV, 1 to 1/500

Yashica-E

Radically different, fixed-speed electric-eye camera with inbuilt bulb flash under the nameplate. The meter is unreliable, and it has no manual capability. Looks nice, but it's actually fairly useless!

Taking lens is Yashinon 80mm f3.5
Yashica shutter fixed at 1/60

Yashica LM

This is essentially the same as the Yashica-C in most respects, although the hinge plates are as for the A. However, it has a built-in uncoupled Selenium meter with sensor under the nameplate.

Taking lens is Yashinon 80mm f3.5
Shutter is Copal MX, 1 to 1/300

Yashica-635

Interesting derivative of the Yashica-D, which is designed in dual format - as well as 120 film, it can use 35mm in 24mmx36mm. There are extra rewind and cutout buttons on the left side.  This camera was also made with a Yashinon lens at the end of the run.

Taking lens is Yashikor 80mm f3.5
Shutter is Copal MXV, 1 to 1/500

Yashica-Auto

This is a fascinating item, and very rare - the only one I've seen and sold to me by a trader in the US. The Yashica-Auto is clearly a short-lived precursor to the Yashica Mat, which began the whole Mat series. It is apparently derived from the Yashica-D, but is probably the first Yashica TLR to have crank-winding - belatedly catching up with the Rolleiflex. It must be amongst the last of the series to use the Yashikor lens before the general switch to the Yashinon.

Taking lens is Yashikor 80mm f3.5
Shutter is Copal MXV, 1 to 1/500
  The Yashica Mat Series

Yashica-Mat

The Mat was introduced around 1957, in similar general format to the Yashica-D, and it's not clear which exactly came first. The Mat series take the Rolleiflex route of wind lever and auto-cocking shutter.

Taking lens is Yashinon 80mm f3.5
Shutter is Copal MXV, 1 to 1/500

Yashica-Mat LM

Relates to the basic Mat in the same way the Yashica LM does to the Yashica C. It's fitted with a built-in uncoupled Selenium meter, slotted in where the nameplate would otherwise be. (c1958/60)

Taking lens is Yashinon 80mm f3.5
Shutter is Copal MXV, 1 to 1/500


Yashica-Mat EM

There isn't much practical difference between this and the Mat LM, except a rather different meter layout, with needle alignment adjuster to ease the calculation. It's later though - from 1964.

Taking lens is Yashinon 80mm f3.5
Shutter is Copal MXV, 1 to 1/500

Yashica-24

The last four cameras are all similar, with coupled CdS meter. This one was designed for 220 film only - hence the "24" (exposures) name. It's quite rare, and this one's in lovely condition.

Taking lens is Yashinon 80mm f3.5
Shutter is Copal SV, 1 to 1/500

Yashica-12

Near-identical to the 24, the 12 was introduced a year later (1967) to cater for 120 film. Again, it's quite rare, and this one is in very nice state - I tracked it down in Belgium.

Taking lens is Yashinon 80mm f3.5
Shutter is Copal SV, 1 to 1/500
Yashica Mat-124
Pretty much the same as the 12 and 24 models, but the 124 added switchable capability to handle both 120 and 220 film - hence the combined name. This one is quite sound, but needs a good clean!

Taking lens is Yashinon 80mm f3.5
Shutter is Copal SV, 1 to 1/500

Yashica Mat-124G
The 124G differs from the 124 really only in minor technical detail (the "G" is for "Gold" electrical connectors). Cosmetically, most of the chrome turned to black plastic - it's very "Seventies"! (1970-86).

Taking lens is Yashinon 80mm f3.5
Shutter is Copal SV, 1 to 1/500
The MolfoReflex

This is an unusual and rare camera. The MolfoReflex was ordered as a batch of 1,000 cameras from Yashica by Molander, a Swedish camera and optics firm, in the 1950s. I am not aware (although someone will probably correct me) of Yashica providing badge-engineered models for any other reseller. It is said (see Camerapedia.org) that only 400 of the ordered cameras were ever delivered. The camera differs only in nameplate from the early Yashicaflex A on which it is based (see above). The Molander company is still in business.

Taking lens is Yashimar 80mm f3.5
Shutter is Copal 1/10 to 1/200



Yashica-44

The picture at right is of the relatively rare 4x4 (127 film) model Yashica produced a - the Yashica 44 - I obtained this in a bundle with one of my Yashicaflexes!