Yashica 6x6 TLR Development History

This page is preserved here only as an historical archive.  If you have linked to it and wish to obtain the up-to-date version of Paul Sokk's researches, you should visit his website http://www.yashicatlr.com/.
The version here dates from early 2011.

Background: After 40 years of mainly amateur dabbling in film, and loving it, Paul Sokk feels “liberated” by the digital experience, but misses the precision and feel of metal cameras and the discipline that film requires. As therapy, he has a small collection of pre-Spotmatic Pentaxes to realise a boyhood dream; also some Leica II copy FEDs and a Zorki - because he can’t afford the real thing and - although Australian - his heritage is Estonian (FSU). Paul bought his first Yashica 6x6 because he “needed” something bigger and it was accessible. Six more Yashicas have arrived in quick succession as he became more obsessed with unravelling the mysteries of the early models and came to realise the role of Yashica and other makers in the post-war Japanese TLR boom. Truth is that he finds all photographic history (well in fact, all things photographic).

The information on this page developed out of frustration at the lack of consolidated model detail available on the Yashica TLRs, particularly the Yashicaflex series and the first of the Yashicas. This was surprising, given their relative popularity at the time, the snippets of information already on the net and the significant numbers that seem to change hands at on-line auctions etc. This page seeks to gather that information, including information gleaned from hundreds of eBay auctions, and draw what conclusions it may.

In quite a few respects, not only the conclusions but the visual evidence itself, contradicts luminaries such as McKeown and Sugiyama (in this third update of this page, I will specifically address Sugiyama a little further down) whose cataloguing has become the accepted wisdom on which Yashica TLR history seems to be based (and some of that history has become very distorted through retelling many times). However, they are more generalists looking at the bigger picture and the collector’s market than the intricacies of individual maker history and models. I am not a trained researcher. I am just an armchair fanatic that gets a bit anal. The reader will need to draw their own conclusions. Whilst a lot of the information is based on accepted facts from reliable sources and observation, there is necessarily some conjecture but hopefully, this will be limited and obvious when it occurs. Questions and debate are welcome and if someone has better information, all the better for everyone! I would be disappointed if there are no arguments.

Things like examples of models, company history, relationship to Tomioka Optical Company Ltd and the more intimate aspects of various cameras are either covered in more detail elsewhere in Barry Toogood’s site and/or are reasonably accessible on other sites.

By the way, I am not a significant collector with just seven, hopefully representative, Yashica TLR cameras which cover five models from Pigeonflex to Yashica Mat-LM. Plus I had a late Mat for a while.

Important Notes:

1. I have used photos only to illustrate particular features or prove some point. I have used my own cameras wherever possible, tried to rely on Barry Toogood as much as possible for the others and through Barry, have used Tom Heckhaus’s images of his beautiful Pigeonflex and Yashima Flex cameras. That has still left a couple of gaps. In those very few cases, I have used photos found on the net. I have not used complete images of items or displayed full serial numbers in order to maintain anonymity of owners and not devalue the possible worth of the original image itself. If I have upset anyone by doing so, please contact me with image details and some proof of ownership and I will take immediate steps to remove. Please understand that I have been collecting such images for my personal research long before Barry suggested putting this page up and particularly with auctions, contacting owners after the fact is not practicable. My page is entirely non-commercial and therefore I am not seeking to derive any benefit from it other than expanding the knowledge base of Yashica TLRs. Hopefully, you will support me in this.
2. I recently came across a Japanese site with translated name of Information Warehouse at http://www.tlr66.com/souko/yashicaflex-miwake.php. It has an article about recognising Yashicaflex models. The site is not overly detailed and the Google translation is appalling (I’m not sure what coconuts have to do with anything) but my conclusions seem to be in step with that site’s information. Where there is conflict or I have relied on that site’s information, I have noted it.

Yashica’s Success

The original business established itself in the post-World War II period of US occupation and Korean War and like scores of other small Japanese firms, got into the business of making TLRs. Obviously there was a big demand from US Service personnel but why so many TLRs? Probably that it was relatively easy for small firms to engineer and produce the basic body components and buy in complete shutter and lens assemblies and other parts. Design was easy – most TLR designers didn’t stray far from the Rollei sitting on their kitchen tables. By the late ‘50s, the TLR boom was well and truly over and the only Japanese company to persevere through to the 1980s with a “traditional” TLR was Yashica. (Mamiya made it to the 1990s with its more sophisticated, interchangeable lens professional models but these are in a different league to the other Rollei inspired copies.)

The established Japanese camera makers like Minolta, Ricoh, Olympus and Mamiya (later models) arguably produced some more sophisticated products with more highly regarded optics (although the Lumaxars and Yashinons are very good) but what made Yashica successful was excellent value for money and using the same effective and reliable basic body structure to plug every possible price point in the market. Brochures and catalogues from the late 1950s always show a considerable price differential in favour of Yashicas against the “old order”. For example, the 1960 Olden Camera and Lens Company catalogue lists the top of the line Yashica-Mat at USD$75.50 and the Minolta Autocord (without meter) for USD$99.50. The difference in quality was almost certainly much less than the price differential suggested. Even compared to a similar camera from another “start-up”, the 1955 Yashicaflex C was 11,500 yen and the Walzflex IIA was 12,500 yen.

Yashica continued to prosper by getting into the 35mm business and then fortuitously buying the bankrupt Nicca Camera and finally becoming a large and respected player in the Japanese camera industry until its demise as a camera manufacturer in the digital age. Although some of the other post-war start-ups also produced very good product, they didn’t have the business and marketing skills and perhaps luck of Yashica and disappeared quickly from the marketplace.

What’s in a Name? (all about ‘flexes)

Founded as a business in 1945, Yashima Seiki Company Limited formed in 1949 and produced parts for electric clocks and other equipment. In early 1953 produced its first camera for marketing by Endō Sashin Yōhin as the Pigeonflex (subsequent variations of the Pigeonflex were manufactured by Shinano Kōki and had nothing to do with Yashima). In June of the same year, the company changed its name to Yashima Kōgaku Seiki Company Limited and shortly after, started producing and marketing, in its own right, the Yashima Flex which was the original Pigeonflex fitted with a sports finder and upgraded shutter. Still in 1953, Yashima released the Yashica Flex B which introduced a further updated shutter as well as the new name. If “Lei”tz and “ca”mera spawned the most famous camera name of all, then why not “Yashi”ma and “ca”mera? The company changed its own name to Yashica when it acquired Nicca in 1958.

Theory 1 (the simple idea): This part is all conjecture. I am guessing that like nearly all the other TLR manufacturers, Yashima probably put “flex” at the end of their cameras’ name to try to suggest the quality of Rolleiflex rather than simply a shortening of “reflex”. Either way, the “Rolleiflex” connotation was still there. When Yashima wanted to introduce its Rolleiflex look-alike with the crank and differentiate it as a model line, it was in a bind. “Yashicaflex” was taken and most of its cameras it had produced, including its cheapest, were called Yashicaflex. OK, it has “automatic” (by TLR standards) shutter cocking, we’ll call it the “Mat” for short. But wait, the “flex” is back to front to the Rollei convention, or something like that – clearly a marketing dilemma. Yashima made the decision to simply call its non-crank (and some later crank) models “Yashica” and forget the “flex” (except on some future Yashica 635 cases – see Collector’s Information below). Only problem is that the evidence is that the Yashica A, C and LM were released in 1956 and the Yashica-Mat was released in 1957 as were at least two Yashicaflexes. Maybe Yashima just planned well in advance?

Theory 2 (markets and why some models are hard to find): Alternative conjecture. Yashima introduced the “Yashica” name for export models and continued for a time with “Yashicaflex” for the domestic market. The early models up to very early versions of the Yashica Flex S had metric markings on the focus scale. From the mid period Yashica Flex S on, some models had scales in feet and some in metres and some had examples of both until dual scale knobs arrived a little after the half white/ half black, DIN/ASA, scale film wind knobs first appeared. I am guessing here but models with feet markings were probably geared for US customers, either US Forces stationed in Japan (earlier cameras) or export. Other than for a couple of exceptions noted later, film speed scales where in ASA (until the half white/ half black knobs) so I am guessing that cameras with metric scales were destined mainly for the domestic market rather than Europe. I am also going to enlist Sugiyama’s assistance, noting that his book was aimed primarily at Japanese collectors.

Sugiyama ignores the Yashicaflex A and AS (what he calls the AS is a later, different camera – see subsequent sections). The Yashicaflex As in my database are all feet scaled although the sample is small and I would expect some metric examples as well. Only one of six Yashicaflex ASs with readable scales in my database has a metric scale. I’m not proposing this as something definitive, merely an indicator of market focus at the time. The first Yashica models were the Yashica A, C and LM and were introduced in 1956. The three generally had feet scales (the A changed later to dual scale) and the exceptions, such as the DIN scaled film reminder cameras probably destined for Europe, are not significant (discussed later). Sugiyama ignores the Yashica C and LM completely even though the closely related Yashicaflex C, which can be found with either scale but predominantly has a metric scale, gets two entries. His only reference to the Yashica A is as a Yashica AIII from 1959. By this time, the cameras we are familiar with had dual distance scales but this AIII model might even be a domestic variant – there is no hood logo. The only metric scaled Yashica A in my database (Yashica A sample size of 28) occurs just before the first dual scale knob which puts it at about 1958 or two years into production.

By trim and feature set, the Yashicaflex A2 and A3 (Sugiyama’s new model A) came after the three Yashicas. These have metric scales (both are very small sample sizes). Both, but particularly the A3, are rare in the West but according to Sugiyama, common and Japanese web sites seem to bear that out to some degree at least. In the West, the Yashicaflex B is a rare beast. According to both Sugiyama and Japanese web sites, it is common. No prizes for guessing that it has a metric scale (again, small sample size). The information that I have suggests that the Yashicaflex B with Copal MXV shutter was released very close to its almost identical sibling, the Yashica-D, or maybe even just later but I have always found it hard to reconcile that the Yashicaflex had the “old” knob with ASA scale only and the Yashica-D had the dual DIN/ASA scale. The separate markets would explain it. The Yashica B is another feet scaled model ignored by Sugiyama. The Yashica Rookie is an oddity in that it has both the Yashica name and metric scale. It is extremely rare in the West but again Sugiyama lists it as common – I believe the metric scale is telling. Feature sets and trim details put the Rookie release at about the same time as the Yashica A – perhaps it was released initially in the Japanese market instead of the Yashica-A?

I have copies of US Yashica ads from 1956, 1957 and 1958. Various models are mentioned but no Yashicaflexes. Maybe parts of both theories have some currency, or maybe there are other considerations that I am not aware of. Certainly, by 1958, the Yashicaflex period was over. (See also Yashica TLR Model History for models with different focus distance scales.)

Some people view Yashicaflexes and Yashica 6x6 TLR models as different but co-existing generations and I have even seen them referred to as inferior and “weaker”. I can see no evidence of anything other than a change in marketing strategy. Whatever the reason for the name change, because of existing product planning, production cycles, existing stocks and intense activity and model diversity in the 1956 to 1958 period, some similar models with the different names existed at the same time. It was only for a relatively short time. The Yashicaflex cameras were not essentially inferior or different to the cameras with new names – they just represented a point in time in the normal development cycle and in some cases, they had a doppelganger – I can’t see any difference between the Yashicaflex B and Yashica D or Yashicaflex A3 and Yashica B (apart from nameplate and minor trim).

Yashimaflex or Yashima Flex?

The Pigeonflex name was always one word. But was it “Yashimaflex” as it is almost always written or “Yashima Flex”? The same question can be asked of Yashica Flex B and Yashica Flex S (notice how I am pre-empting my opinion), all three of which use the same script on the nameplate (see Body Variations below and also Yashica Flex S in Collector’s Information). I think that on these initial three models only, the name is 2 words. One could argue backwards and forwards about the script used and whether a break is intended or not – a few sites have the split form including the NSW State Library (see Yashica Flex S in Collectors Information). I have just acquired another Yashica Flex S, a short hinged one. Here is it its box and instruction sheet. The name on the box is written as “YASHICA” on one line and “Flex” below it. The instruction sheet speaks for itself.

Certainly from the Yashicaflex A model onward, including the Yashicaflex AS, official Yashima documentation refers to “Yashicaflex” as one word. In fact a Yashima ad (from a 1956 booklet produced in Japan in English) for the “Yashicaflex Model S” uses the single word form whilst also referring to the models “A-1, A-II and AS-II etc”. The nameplate hadn’t changed but clearly, Yashima had created a marketing dilemma for itself with two forms of the name. Unless someone convinces me otherwise, I am going to use the two word form for the three cameras concerned. However, if you are doing web searches, I suggest you use the single word form. One more thing, I am not going to muck around with Yashica Flex B (old model) and Yashicaflex B (new model). For me, Yashica Flex B or Yashicaflex B is clear enough (I assume that the “old/new” nomenclature is collector invention).

Naming Conventions

I haven’t been very good with this in the past, seeking to impose my own rationale, but I think it is important in terms of historical accuracy to acknowledge Yashima/Yashica practice and reflect that in discussions about the cameras.

With Yashicaflexes, the model name was not on the nameplate or anywhere else on the camera. The two instruction sheets, one ad and a number of boxes I have seen refer to, e.g. “Yashicaflex Model A-II” (not “AII” as commonly found on the web). For convenience, I will write this as “Yashicaflex A-II”.

Yashica names on nameplates usually use the hyphen between the name and the model, e.g. “Yashica-635”, but the “Yashica LM” is an exception. In manuals and ads however, Yashica invariably does not use the hyphen between the name and model and that includes the crank wind Yashica 24 and 12. Early boxes use the Yashicaflex convention of e.g. “Yashica Model A”. Therefore, I too will not use the hyphen for Yashica names.

Yashica Mats are a problem however. The original meterless model was written as “Yashica-Mat” on both the camera and in literature (except in a 1957 ad where it appears as “Yashicamat”). When the Yashica Mat-LM was introduced, it was still written as “Yashica-Mat” on the camera and an early ad has “Yashica-Mat LM”. However, a Yashica brochure from around 1964 (it includes the Yashica E) advertises the two Mats as “Yashica-Mat” and “Yashica Mat-LM”, a convention that seems to apply to all subsequent metered Mats (EM, 124 and 124G - the 24 and 12 are as for “Yashica”). Whilst there are some options, I will use “Yashica-Mat” and, eg “Yashica Mat-LM”, “Mat-EM”, “Mat-124” or ”Mat-124G”.

The 44s only get mentioned in the Yashica TLR History Table. Inside the original 44’s user manual is Yashica-44. Inside the LM’s manual is Yashica 44LM. The weight of web opinion (something I try to avoid) is Yashica 44A. They’re the formats I have gone with as well.

Please excuse me if I confuse myself and get it wrong in places.

Body Variations

Evidence is that the development of the Yashica 6x6 range is one of evolution rather than revolution. Observation of photos and examination of my own cameras suggests that there are really only two basic body style castings (ignoring any changes required purely by the introduction of the crank wind mechanism of the Mat) between the Yashima made Pigeonflex of 1953 and the last Yashica Mat-124G of 1986 and even these changes were cosmetic. The Pigeonflex, Yashima Flex and first of the Yashica Flexes/ Yashicaflexes had short hinges and a different front panel design surrounding the focussing lensboard panel. The full width hinges and new front panel were introduced in 1954 or early 1955 and basically remained unchanged. Note that the shiny trim casting of the Mat-LM below (and all Mats, black on 124G) still shows a slight indentation where the film wind knob used to be.

Hoods and their mechanisms, apart from the lack of the sports finder on the Pigeonflex, appear near identical across the range except for minor trim details as do backs except for minor pressure plate details, red window or not and the loss of the two screws around 1960.

The Yashica Mat-LM is a later model but this Yashica D is the newest camera.

Lenses and shutters are fitted in their own assembly which is separately attached to the focussing panel. Changes here don’t affect the rest of the body. Not having pulled any apart, I don’t know what changes, if any, occurred with focusing mechanisms.

Model Classifications

Where the name is on the nameplate, it is easy e.g. “Yashima Flex”, “Yashica D” and “Yashica-Mat” (with its various flavours).  However, there are at least 9 Yashicaflexes plus variations and the only clues to model are feature sets. Care needs to be taken as sometimes both shutters and lenses can change in a model run e.g. the Yashica LM is normally found with Yashikor lenses and Copal shutter. One surfaced on eBay with Heliotar lenses and Citizen shutter. It appears to be a quite authentic, very early example.

Having said that, lenses are often one of the features that differentiate Yashicaflex models as are shutters to a lesser extent. The Yashica Flex S of 1954 introduced not only most famously the first built in light meter on a Japanese camera but also Bay 1 filter mounts and auto-stop winding with a film counter (at first semi-automatic with a reset button and then fully automatic reset) to Yashicaflex cameras. Subsequent fully featured premium cameras had the Bay 1 mounts and film counter. Budget models, culminating in the long running Yashica A, retained both the plain filter mounts and the rear red window for frame count. To make things more interesting, there were in-between models with a mix of these features.

Trim Changes

There was a constant change of relatively minor trim details. In the mid 50s, these “improvements” usually appeared across the model range at a similar time without being saved up for a new model e.g. many models started with a bent strap locking lever but later received the more substantial “moulded” type (there was an earlier type introduced by the Pigeonflex and a later basic variant seen on Yashicaflex A, A-II, Rookie and Yashica A models). This change occurred with the very late Yashica Flex S model, middle of the Yashica LM run and very early Mat. The Yashica LM had a possible lens/shutter change, move of the accessory shoe from low to high position, hood redesign, locking lever redesign, change from semi to fully auto film counter reset, new style spool knobs and move of serial number to the nameplate light meter flap all at different times in the model run.

Feature and Trim Change Timeline

Note: I have referred to "premium" and "budget" models. Some models such as Yashicaflex AS and A2 are middle of the road with some features from each category. The dark blue cells represent the models that were in production at the time that a change was introduced but to put this into perspective, the change in spool knobs, for example, occurred at the very end of the Yashica Flex S model run and at the very beginning of the Yashica A. In between models were affected at different points in their model runs. This table and the one below together provide a multi-dimensional view of the Yashica model hierarchy and spread at any given time.

The 1960s dates in particular are problematic in that although changes still occurred in the middle of model runs, sometimes they appear to have occurred 12 months or more apart between different models. Only a theory but perhaps production was done in batches and stock warehoused for later sale e.g. enough stock of one model was produced in the first six months to, say, last 2 years before moving production to the next model. A couple of examples support this theory. Most net sources suggest a model run of 1956 to 1957 for the Yashica LM although there is one source that suggests 1961. In terms of trim details etc, 1957 looks about right but the LM appears in surprisingly large numbers on eBay. It also still appears in the 1958 Central Camera Catalog and the 1960 Olden Camera Catalog suggesting that it was available for much longer. Its namesake, the Yashica Mat-LM was supposedly produced from 1958 to 1960. This doesn’t make sense since it would be 1964 before the very similar Yashica Mat-EM would be released. The 9 March 1962 edition of Life contained a Yashica ad for the Mat-LM and I have already mentioned a brochure in which it appears with the Yashica E which dates it around 1964, thereby suggesting it was available for considerably longer than its “production” run.

Locking Levers

Rollei-like Pigeonflex locking lever shown closed and open.

These continued on the Yashima Flex, Yashica Flex B and on the Yashicaflex A and A-II until the cable shutter release was replaced by the press button release on the later long hinged bodies.

Illustrated below is what I mean by “bent strap locking lever” and “moulded” or “3D” type for want of better descriptions.

The bent strap first appeared on the Yashica Flex S and Yashicaflex AS models but on the first cameras, the bent strap was used with the Pigeonflex locking mechanism in a hybrid arrangement – see far left. Later cameras are identical to the early Yashica-LM second from the left.

Early Yashicaflex A and A-II models continued with the Pigeonflex locking lever. The arrangement on the late Yashicaflex A and A-II, Yashica A and Rookie used the later locking mechanism and knob but the bent strap which acted as a steadying foot was replaced by a marginally simpler, hook-like arrangement.

Viewfinder Hood Logos

Three basic styles were used from Yashima Flex to Mat-124G. My Yashica LM is c1956, my Yashica Mat-LM is c1959 and my Yashica D is a latish c1965. The first logo was in place from the 1953 Yashima Flex through to the early Yashica-Mats and Yashica Ds and 635s of 1957. The outer silver square on the hood of the Yashica LM and other earlier camera models disappeared in the early part of its model run. The third logo was introduced around 1965 (mine is the first in my Yashica D database). The Yashicaflex C had a unique elongated oval logo with “Yashica” inside it. A similar, all silver, logo was used on late model Yashicaflex cases including some Yashica 635 cases.

There were variations in logo colour and perhaps size. The first logo had a minor variation around early 1955 when the outer ring became more prominent. The logo itself is a black stylised “Y” on a black triangle on a black background. In 1957, the colour of the triangle was changed to white. This affected all models in production at the time plus the new Mat received a gold “Y” in place of black to signify its superior status. The blue-green background of the narrow “Y” logo of the Mat-LM above also appeared on black Yashica As, Yashica Ds, 635s, Mats and both coloured and black Yashica Bs. However, both coloured Yashica As and Yashica Ds have a gold background. Was that a colour coordination result or simply because the coloured cameras were first with the narrow “Y” and the background colour changed later? Since posing that question, I have found two later Yashica Ds in the colour sequence of numbers with grey leatherette plus blue-green background but the question still remains. Yashica Autos have a gold background for both coloured and black models. At least some logos with gold backgrounds are slightly larger. Yashica Mat-EMs have a silver background.

Film Wind Knobs

In around 1957, the film wind knobs changed to a half silver, sometimes referred to as white, (for DIN scale), half black (for ASA scale) face with complimentary text colour. Earlier knobs on the premium models were very similar in appearance to each other and debuted on the Pigeonflex with 6 film type reminders in white, what I will call “flags”, on a black background. It remained unchanged on the Yashima Flex and Yashica Flex B. The Yashica Flex S had film counter and auto-stop function so it received a film release button in the centre of the knob. Initially, it had a hybrid arrangement with 6 inner, flatter, flags with the same type of film reminder as before but now also an outer ASA film speed scale. Later Yashica Flex S and other models received a simplified knob face with ASA film speed reminder only in 8 silver flags with speeds 10, 16, 25, 32, 50, 100 and 200 (plus “ASA”) with 10, 16 and 32 in red type. Very shortly after, the number of flags increased to 9 with the addition of ASA 80. Speeds 10 to 32 are now all in red type. There was also a very minor simplification of the flag graphics.

From left to right: My rather worn Pigeonflex, my earlyish Yashica Flex S, my early re-skinned Yashica LM with 9 flags (my late Yashica Flex S is identical) and late Yashica D representing premium knob wind models from 1957 to their demise in 1973.

The budget models were different. There were two basic categories. The Yashicaflex A-II had film counter and auto-stop function so it needed a release button in the centre like the premium models but in place of the flags was a ring of black leatherette on early models. The last iteration of the Yashicaflex A-II received the fully featured film wind knob from the Yashica Flex S, Yashicaflex AS and by then, Yashicaflex C.

The early Yashicaflex A had a plain black leatherette, full diameter insert in place of the chrome centre and flags. With red window instead of counter and auto-stop film winding, it didn’t need a release button in the centre. The most recent Yashicaflex A cameras received the outer flags of the premium models but with a black leatherette disc in the centre in place of the chrome button. This arrangement continued with the Yashica A with both its 9 flag and black and white film wind knobs. The Rookie was unique with both a black leatherette centre and a plain leatherette outer ring separated by a chrome trim ring (Yashica A knob with flags replaced by leatherette). Unfortunately I don’t have any decent photographs of the Yashicaflexes and Rookie (there is a site that does but I can’t use those) but here are the early Yashica A (the late Yashicaflex A is the same) and late Yashica A:

Some Variations: I have both a Yashica C and Yashica LM in my database with 10 flags each. I can’t read the Yashica C scale but the Yashica LM scale is DIN with all numbers in black. Both were towards the middle of their model serial number ranges and both had had metric focus distance scales whilst the rest of the cameras in the respective model series had feet scales. Were these Europe only export models or a special order of some sort? At least two Yashica LMs have 9 flags with ASA scales that look like they only have the numbers 10 and 16 in red and one looks like it is in all black type as does a film wind knob from one Yashicaflex B. Whereas most models have silver flags on a black background, Yashicaflex A2 (leatherette centre) and Yashicaflex A3 (release button centre) have white flags on a white background with the outline of the flags in black.

Lenses

As far as is known, all triplets (three element in three groups) lenses were sourced from the independent Japanese lens manufacturer Tomioka Optical Company, later to be absorbed by Yashica. The original version was called the Tri-Lausar (also supplied to many other makers) followed by Heliotar, Yashimar and Yashikor. All, including viewing lenses, were 80mm f/3.5 lenses. The Yashikor was certainly reputed to be an improvement over the Yashimar but the real differences are unknown and perhaps it was only related to coatings?

A new 4 element 3 group Tessar design with cemented rear group was introduced with the first Mat in 1957. These were f/3.5 75mm lenses called Lumaxar and were shortly replaced by 80mm versions, perhaps later in 1957 already. There was a name change to Yashinon in 1958. The sourcing of the Lumaxar lenses is controversial. There are two distinct views with references. There are also many “experts” expressing “facts” but really just falling into one camp or the other.

There have long been rumours of the Lumaxars being sourced from Germany before Tomioka took over the production and called them Yashinons. The only reputable claim I am aware of in support of this proposition is, according to net sources, by Mark Hama, the renowned Yashica tech who actually worked in the Nagano, Japan factory. On the other hand, “The Evolution of the Japanese Camera” by Condax and others (NY 1984) claims that all Lumaxars were made by Tomioka and that the change of name to Yashinon was caused by a conflict with a similar registered name in the UK when Yashica was allowed to commence exports.

A third possibility has been proposed by some: that the 75mm Lumaxar was sourced from Germany (by either Yashima directly or by Tomioka) and then Tomioka started manufacturing the 80mm version before the name change. The only problem is that there is not a skerrick of supporting evidence. Yes it does provide a nice symmetrically logical solving of the opposing views and it would satisfy the duel dilemma of why produce a single 75mm lens when all others are 80mm and why change it so quickly when the design appears to be successful and at least the equal of the Yashinon? This possibility appeals to me but is pure speculation at best.

The view Lumaxars are all f/3.2 as are the earlier Yashinons except the view Yashinons on the Yashica E and Yashica Auto (itself controversial – see that section) which are, unusually and uniquely, f/3.5. The very latest view Yashinons, including those where Yashinons were fitted to Yashica Ds and 636s from the late 1960s, are f/2.8.

One final personal reflection on lenses. From Tri-Lausar on the Pigeonflex to Yashinon on the Mat was a little over 4 years. Tomioka had many customers for various formats and in the beginning, Yashima would have been a small time player. Before computers, it took years to compute, develop and perfect new lens designs and even then they were usually based on what had gone before. Unless Tomioka had new designs sitting in the wings ready to go, I wouldn’t expect big variations amongst the triplets, more a tweaking and as mentioned previously, maybe coatings (which can have a big impact). I guess to me it also adds a little more credence (but not evidence) to the idea that at least the 75mm Lumaxar was outsourced. Both Lumaxars and the Yashinon were successful quality lenses and a significant development time would have to have been factored in one way or another.

Serial Numbers

Body serial numbers were not consecutive model to model but with earlier cameras, they were relatively consistent. As the “Yashica” models came into play, things became interesting with odd sequences, some earlier numbers having more digits than later numbers and prefixes being used. More bizarre examples include the Yashica A which started with 5 digit numbers, then went to 7 digit numbers starting with 5, followed by 7 digit numbers beginning with 3. Then there were two rogue 8 digit numbers interspersed with 7 digit numbers (the photos are crystal clear) that somehow seemed to be linked to the 7 digit numbers around them. The final block of numbers had an “A” prefix. However, the second digit of the “A” numbers rarely was higher than “0” and never more than “1” so that there would be for example A 20xxxxx and A 21xxxxx but never A 22xxxxx, the next number being in the A 30xxxxx range. This happened with all the prefixed numbers for all models and at least some of the 7 digit numbers. Could the second digit be a zero start count for each year of production or some other milestone? The 635 changed its prefix from ST to SX.

Lens numbers seemed to start off logically but later cameras seem to have blocks of numbers issued randomly. I’m not sure but Yashinon taking lens numbers on Yashica-Mats seem to have consecutive numbers in blocks interleaved with blocks for Yashica Mat-LMs. Later viewing lens sequences I don’t follow at all.

In Collector’s Information further down, I try to make some sense of at least body numbers but putting together some form of meaningful analysis of serial numbers in a systematic way will take a page on its own. Maybe a job for the future when there are more cameras in the database.

Yashica TLR Model History

Model

On the Market

Discontinued

Body Type

Filter Fitting

Frame Counter

Focus Scale

Light Meter

Lens

Shutter

Speeds

Early

Late

Plain

Bay 1

Red Window

Counter

PIGEONFLEX 6X6

Pigeonflex (Yashima made)

Mar, 1953

May, 1954

x

x

x

Metres

Tri-Lausar 80

NKS

B,1-1/200

Pigeonflex 1A (Shinano made)

Mar, 1954

Sep, 1954

x

x

x

Pigeonar 80

Pigeonflex 1 (Shinano made)

Jul, 1954

Sep, 1954

x

x

x

Pigeonar 75

Pigeonflex 1B (Shinano made)

Aug, 1954

Apr, 1955

x

x

x

Tri-Lausar 80

Pigeonflex 1C (Shinano made)

Aug, 1954

x

x

x

Pigeonar 80

YASHICAFLEX 6X6

Yashima Flex

Jun, 1953

x

x

x

Metres

Tri-Lausar

NKS-TB

B,1-1/200

Yashica Flex B

Oct, 1953

x

x

x

Metres

Tri-Lausar

NKS-FB

B,1-1/300

Yashica Flex S (early)

1954

x

x

x

Metres

x

Heliotar

NKS-FB

B,1-1/300

Yashica Flex S (late)

1954

x

x

x

x

Both

x

Heliotar

Copal

B,1-1/300

Yashicaflex A

1954

x

x

x

x

Both

Tri-Lausar/Yashimar

Copal

B,1/10-1/200

MolfoReflex

1954

x

x

x

x

Metres

Yashimar

Copal

B,1/10-1/200

Yashicaflex A-II

1954

x

x

x

x

Both

Yashimar

Copal

B,1/10-1/200

Yashicaflex AS

1954

x

x

x

x

Both

x

Yashimar

Copal

B,1/10-1/200

Yashicaflex C

Sep, 1955

x

x

x

Both

Yashikor+Tri-Lausar

Copal

B,1-1/300

Yashicaflex A2

Oct, 1956

x

x

x

Metres

Yashimar

Citizen MXV

B,1-1/400

Yashicaflex A3

1957

x

x

x

Metres

Yashikor

Copal

B,1/25-1/300

Yashicaflex B (early)

1957

x

x

x

Metres

Yashikor

Citizen MXV

B,1-1/400

Yashicaflex B (late)

Jul, 1957

x

x

x

Metres

Yashikor

Copal MXV

B,1-1/500

KNOB WIND YASHICA 6X6

Yashica LM

Oct, 1956

1957

x

x

x

Feet

x

Yashikor

Copal MX

B,1-1/300

Yashica C

1956

Feb, 1958

x

x

x

Feet

Yashikor

Copal MX

B,1-1/300

Yashica A

1956

Apr, 1969

x

x

x

Both

Yashimar/Yashikor

Copal

B,1/25-1/300

Yashica Rookie

1956

x

x

x

Metres

Yashimar

Copal

B,1/25-1/300

Yashica B

1957

x

x

x

Feet

Yashikor

Copal

B,1/25-1/300

Yashica D

Jun, 1957

1973

x

x

x

Dual

Yashikor/Yashinon

Copal MXV

B,1-1/500

Yashica 635

Jun, 1957

1973

x

x

x

Dual

Yashikor/Yashinon

Copal MXV

B,1-1/500

Yashica E

Sep, 1964

Aug, 1966

x

x

x

Dual

x

Yashinon

Yashica

1/60

CRANK WIND YASHICA 6X6

Yashica-Mat

Apr, 1957

1971

x

x

x

Dual

Lumaxar/Yashinon

Copal MXV

B,1-1/500

Yashica Auto

1958

x

x

x

Metres

Yashinon

Copal MXV

B,1-1/500

Yashica Mat-LM

Sep, 1958

May, 1960

x

x

x

Dual

x

Yashinon

Copal MXV

B,1-1/500

Yashica Mat-EM

Jun, 1964

Aug, 1966

x

x

x

Dual

x

Yashinon

Copal MXV

B,1-1/500

Yashica 24

Dec, 1965

Nov, 1967

x

x

x

Dual

CdS

Yashinon

Copal SV

B,1-1/500

Yashica 12

Apr, 1967

Sep, 1968

x

x

x

Dual

CdS

Yashinon

Copal SV

B,1-1/500

Yashica Mat-124

Feb, 1968

1971

x

x

x

Dual

CdS

Yashinon

Copal SV

B,1-1/500

Yashica Mat-124G

Sep, 1970

1986

x

x

x

Dual

CdS

Yashinon

Copal SV

B,1-1/500

4X4

Yashica-44

Jun, 1957

Sep, 1958

x

x

Yashikor

Copal SV

B,1-1/500

Yashica 44LM

Aug, 1958

Apr, 1962

x

x

x

Yashinon

Copal SV

B,1-1/500

Yashica 44A

Feb, 1959

Jun, 1959

x

x

Yashikor

Copal

B,1/25-1/300

Note: Where ”Both” is shown for Focus Scale, both metric and feet scaled examples are spread through the serial number range except for the Yashica A which started with feet and changed to dual scale (the last camera before dual scale has a metric scale). I have shown “Both” for Yashicaflex A because although I have only found feet scaled examples, I can only read the distance scales on about half the cameras (the earlier knobs are hard to read) and there is no reason to expect a significant variation from its siblings, the A-II and AS, as all three tend to be grouped in Yashima literature. Also the Yashica LM and C have minor special case exceptions detailed elsewhere. Yashica Ds have both feet and metric examples prior to dual scale knobs. Yashica 635s are a smaller sample but I have found only feet scaled examples before the introduction of dual scale knobs. Yashica-Mats have both feet and metric scaled examples but the balanced is very heavily skewed towards feet. The sample size is relatively large and also heavily skewed towards earlier examples – sales probably dropped off as successive metered versions were released. Also note that this column represents what I have found and in terms of production numbers, the sample is very small.

The Pigeonflex information originates from Camerapedia.org but similar information has also been provided by Tom Heckhaus, an American collector and correspondent of Barry Toogood’s. I am not sure that I have captured all the Yashicaflex models and the dates are a bit rubbery. The Yashicaflex model break up is based on a number of consistent sources and a copy of a Yashicaflex manual which identifies a number of models (see below). The order of the 1956 releases is also a little hard to pin down. The Yashica LM and later dates are based on a table supplied by Kyocera/Yashica and found on a website called “A Partial History of Yashica TLRs” which I can’t access any longer. There are some inconsistencies with the “Discontinued” dates as noted earlier with the Yashica LM and Yashica Mat-LM examples. Some dates have been adjusted, notably the introduction of the Yashica A comes to mind – see “Collector’s Information” below. In reality there were a lot of co-existing models and overlaps in the 1955-1958 period. Diversity was the name of the game, with only a body or two, some lenses and shutters and a couple of light meter variations and the permutations are almost limitless.

Yashicaflex note: I have shown “(early)” and “(late)” variations separately for both Yashica Flex S and Yashicaflex B simply for convenience because of the shutter change. The Yashica Flex S has Bay 1 filter mounts in both early and late forms and is certainly the same model with feature/trim and shutter updates. The two Yashicaflex Bs may or may not be the same model with mainly a shutter update. For some unknown reason, the earlier one has been incorrectly identified by Sugiyama as a Yashicaflex AS and this has been repeated in many web sites (see relevant entries in Collector’s Information below).

Yashicaflex A Series (A, A-II, AS and others)

The Pigeonflex, Yashima Flex and Yashica Flex B were sequential releases with minor upgrades. Even by the standards of the time, their feature sets were basic. After Yashima released the more advanced, metered Yashica Flex S with Bay 1 mounts and auto stop film winding and film counter (new to Yashima but not Japanese TLRs), Yashima continued development of the original cameras as its budget line. The most basic Yashicaflex A was no more than a Yashica Flex B with shutter upgrade. It then got new lenses and then with a shutter upgrade, it became the long running Yashica A.

A note about “cable release” and “press button” shutters: I am on thin ground here so any corrections are welcome. The leaf shutters supplied by shutter companies were complete assemblies used in many applications including folding and view cameras. In their most basic form, they were operated by a cable release on the side or an integral lever, usually in the middle of the lower edge. Now I am really guessing and there are three possibilities that occur to me. The more complex the mechanical arrangement on the camera, including the installation of a conventional TLR press button release button, the more costly the camera to produce. The second possibility is that the lowest cost shutters from suppliers could only be installed in this way. The final possibility is that the first Copal shutters were only available in this format, noting that the Yashica Flex-S continued with NKS shutters for a while longer. Whatever the reason, Yashica only ever used the cable release shutters at the start of the budget Yashicaflex A series. Notably, pre-War Rolleicords had a similar arrangement with their Compur shutters.

The variations of the Yashicaflex A series are complex. Looked as a whole, there is the early type/ late type body, red window/ film counter, shutter cable release/ press button release, film type/speed reminder/ plain film wind knob. All share the Copal 1-1/200 shutter. The first cameras were reputed to have Tri-Lausar lenses, later ones (maybe nearly all?) were fitted with the Yashimars. What feature set divides the cameras? The film counter is what defines the A-II. The AS is an A-II with an exposure meter. Cable release was fitted to early cameras, press button on later examples including move of the flash sync to the front panel. Given that the same trim variations, including the shutter cable release/ press button, appear across all three models, it would be safe to assume that they were pretty much concurrent models. Below is a table that compares the feature sets of the three “A” models against the “S”. Trim changes that applied across the whole of the range such as spool knob design and move of flash sync to the front (low set on “A” models, high set on “S”, a convention that carried through to the later Yashica-A and premium models) are not included.

Feature Set Found	Yashicaflex "A" Models				Yashica Flex S
	A	A-II		AS
Constant
Filter mounts	plain		plain	plain	Bay 1
Film counter	red window		counter	counter	counter
Light Meter	none		none	Sekonic	Sekonic
Short Hinge Body
Shutter release	cable		cable	cable	press button
Hood logo	some have (1)		yes, small sample (1)	yes	yes
Locking lever	Pigeonflex type		Pigeonflex type	bent strap type	bent strap type
Film wind knob	plain black leatherette		black outer chrome button	film type/speed 6 flags	film type/speed 6 flags
Long Hinge Body - Cable Release Shutter
Hood logo	yes, small sample (1)		some have (1)	yes	n/a
Locking lever	Pigeonflex type		Pigeonflex type	bent strap type	n/a
Film wind knob	plain black leatherette		black outer, chrome button	film speed 8 flags	n/a
Long Hinge Body -Press Button Shutter
Hood logo	yes		yes	yes	yes
Locking lever	Yashica A type		Yashica A type	bent strap type (2)	bent strap type (2)
Moulded locking lever appears	n/a		n/a	yes	yes
Film wind knob	8 flags, leatherette centre		8/9 flags chrome button	8/9 flags chrome button	8/9 flags chrome button

Note:  (1) Some hoods have logos, others not. The sample size is small and a logical pattern is hard to establish.

          (2) There is an example of both a Yashicaflex AS and Yashica Flex S with the late moulded type locking lever.

There is a Yashima issued “Yashicaflex Directions for use Models A and C” which covers the most recent A variations, i.e., long hinge, press button shutter release models, as well as the Yashicaflex C and Yashica Flex S. (Sorry, I only have a poor JPEG copy of the full document but I have also seen text quoted from the original. The cover, not fully shown here, also appears with a little-used Yashicaflex AS sold with its box, lens cap, case and warranty papers.)

The “A” models listed are the A-I, A-II and A-III. The A-I is either the plain A as described above and confirmed by photos of several Yashicaflex A cameras with their boxes, or an upgrade of that model. We know that it has the red window instead of film counter still so perhaps the upgrade is the change from plain film wind knob to film wind knob with film speed reminder and/or the change from cable release shutter to press button release. Tom Heckhaus has evidence of an A-IS model so the shutter release could be the reason for the name change.  The A-II is as described above. The A-III has a Seikosha Rapid shutter with 1/500 speed. I have seen no examples and no other references to such a model. If it went into production, it would be among the rarest Yashica cameras made. However, if the A became the A-I and the AS became the AI-S because of the change of film wind knob and/or shutter release, why didn’t the A-II become the A-III (without shutter upgrade necessarily). I’m confused but the Directions clearly refer to the A-II as the press button release model and it is the camera used for demonstrating operations (not shown here).

Importantly, the Directions confirm that the Yashicaflex AS is a metered “A” series model (as does the auction referred to above). It also identifies the “AS-II” model and describes both as “identical to model A but with built in exposure meter”. As the AS matches the A-II, the ASII must match the basic A or A-I with red window or the A-III with Seikosha Rapid shutter. The Japanese site, Information Warehouse, refers to an “AS-II” as a metered A with red window so that looks like the answer. Again, I have seen no examples but there is a reference to an AS-II in a Yashima ad (see “Yashimaflex or Yashima Flex?” above). If it went into production, along with the A-III, it would be extremely rare and a Holy Grail for collectors.

Koichi Sugiyama

Since the first two versions of this page, I have been shown the relevant entries of Sugiyama’s “Collector’s Guide to Japanese Cameras”. I am not sure which edition this is or how many there have been (there seems to be a special edition currently available from his website but I don’t know if this has been updated). Since I am somewhat at odds with him, I need to say something. These are my comments in order of camera models.

Yashima’s Pigeonflex (2212) should be 1953, not 1954 and should come before Shinano’s Pigeonflex I (2211). Sugiyama contradicts himself by putting the Yashima Flex (2307) as earlier (1953 – correct year) than the Yashima Pigeonflex (1954 – wrong year according to Camerapedia) and then saying that the Pigeonflex is the forerunner of Yashica – “see Yashimaflex”. The pages I have been shown do not include the Yashica Flex B or Yashicaflex A. The Yashica Flex S image (2287) displayed is of the correct first 1954 model with NKS-FB shutter but that particular example is fitted with the hood from a 1958 or later camera – it has the narrow “Y” logo and single silver square. Early and late versions of the Yashicaflex C are shown when arguably bigger changes in other models (e.g. shutters, short/long hinge bodies, shutter release type) are ignored. I don’t know why Sugiyama called the early Yashicaflex B a Yashicaflex AS (2294). This is his biggest clanger – logic suggests that Yashima were using “S” at this stage to signify light meter and the proof can be found in Yashima’s own documentation. I can’t see the “real” Yashicaflex AS identified by him by some other name.

Sugiyama identified a Yashicaflex “new Model A” (2295) released in 1957. According to Image Warehouse, the camera with these specs was called the “Yashicaflex A3”. Picture this. Yashima has a Yashicaflex A (plus variants). It then releases a Yashica A in 1956 then it releases another completely different model in 1957 also called “Yashicaflex A”? Relying on logic alone is dangerous because it can obscure the real facts which may seem incredible, but he doesn’t convince me. The evidence also seems to suggest that the Yashica D (2297) and Yashica 635 (2298) were released in 1957, not 1958 but we are probably quibbling here.

What most of us think of as a common garden variety of Yashica A (this is what the nameplate, manuals and boxes say), he calls the “Yashica-AIII” (2300). There may be a reason for that which I don’t understand yet. The date of 1959 is clearly not the Yashica A introduction date which Yashima’s advertising put at 1956. Maybe it’s meant to be the date of introduction of coloured models but by my calculation, these were in production in 1957-1958 only, or the introduction of a domestic Japanese market version.

Again, the pages I have been shown do not include the following models: Yashica LM, Yashica Mat-LM, Yashica Mat-EM, Yashica 24 and Yashica 12 which all came before the Yashica Mat-124 (2302). And there is no Yashica Mat-124G. Such omissions are not unusual for collector’s guides which tend to focus on key or rare models of interest but there are an awful lot of missing models.

It also occurs to me that the dates he gives may be for the actual cameras he is appraising, not the year of that model’s introduction. Also, in theory 2 in my “What’s in a Name” section above, I postulated that Sugiyama may have been concentrating, consciously or not, on actual models produced for the domestic Japanese market and tending to ignore models with an export focus. Whilst I believe that there is at least circumstantial evidence to support this idea with earlier cameras, I don’t have enough information on later cameras with both dual ASA/DIN and metres/feet scale knobs.

It is not my intention to be critical of Sugiyama (or McKeown) or to try to debunk him. The task he set himself was to compile a collector’s guide for Japanese cameras (there has been an awful lot of cameras), not document the model history of Yashima/Yashica, and that he has done magnificently. However, for understanding model development and history, his book is one tool, a starting point, it is not “the” bible. If you want to know the rarity or value of a particular camera, then maybe he is the guru still but that is outside my experience.

For those that don’t know, Koichi Sugiyama is a classical trained musician and conductor who is famous for, and known as the godfather of, Japanese video games music. He is a busy and very talented man and photography and camera collecting are just two of his hobbies when he is not composing, conducting or involving himself in politics.

Collector’s Information (or trawling through my database)

Note that serial numbers, where given, reflect my observations only. They are often hard to see or on hidden parts of cameras and I have been interested more in some models than others. Also, some models just don’t appear very often. Therefore they are an indicator only. I have shown the last 3 digits as xxx (and the last 2 digits as xx for 5 digit numbers) simply because in most cases, it has not been possible to obtain owner’s permission.

Whilst currently there are 448 entries in my database, I have photos of many more cameras which are not in the database. Database entry for common models usually requires a discernable body serial number at least. For less common models or important transition features, a single lens number, or part thereof, may be enough to gain entry.

Note: Where I rely on lens serial numbers, I will show these in italics as a reminder.

Pigeonflex

The Yashima made Pigeonflex had the Company’s name just under “Pigeonflex” on the front nameplate. When the Company changed its name in 1953 from Yashima Seiki to Yashima Kōgaku Seiki, this was also reflected in the nameplate (see below). As far as I can tell, this is the only change that occurred with the Yashima made version. I only have four cameras in the database: 217xxx to 223458 (mine). The 217xxx camera is Yashima Seiki made and has an accessory shoe (added later or original?), the other three have Yashima Kōgaku Seiki on the nameplate and no accessory shoe.

Yashima Flex (aka Yashimaflex)

The Pigeonflex plus a sports finder and updated NKS-TB shutter turned into the Yashima Flex (see first group of photos). It also displayed the stylised “Y” Yashima viewfinder hood logo for the first time. Rare. The four cameras in my database range from 371xx to 444xx.

Yashica Flex B (aka Yashicaflex-B, old model)

The only changes to the Yashima Flex are the name and improved NKS-FB shutter with 1/300 top speed. I don’t have any body serial numbers but the three cameras in my database have five digit  taking lens number 371xx and six digit numbers 294xxx and 299xxx.  I would say rarer still.

Yashica Flex S (aka Yashicaflex-S) (premium model with Bay 1 filter mounts, auto-stop film winding and counter plus Sekonic meter)

The consensus view amongst certain sites seems to be that there are early and late versions of this camera and I have perpetuated that in the above table for convenience. Really, there is only one model and this received some updates over a two year period. Note that the sometimes called “Yashicaflex S” with plain filter mounts is the Yashicaflex AS, an economy model based on the Yashicaflex A feature set and does not precede this model – that has been a very common misconception.

The Yashica Flex S (with Bay 1 mounts – right side photo) followed the Yashima Flex and Yashica Flex B. Note the same script on all three nameplates. Yashima is credited with, in 1954, fitting the first light meter to a Japanese camera; this is it. If proof is needed, Googling “NSW State Library Yashica Flex” will bring up a photo of the Yashica Flex S with Bay 1 mounts taken in Oct 1954 (http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/search/simpleSearch.aspx?authority=topic&ID=114845). Note that that the agency that took the photo called it “Yashica Flex” i.e., the two word form.

“S” probably stands for “Sekonic”, the make of Japanese exposure meter fitted to both the Yashica Flex S and Yashicaflex AS (Sekonic model CB-1). “S” for “Selenium” has also been suggested.

When released, it had Heliotar lenses and NKS-FB shutter fitted to the earlier short hinge body (top right photo). Very early in its model cycle, the camera was updated to the new Copal shutter, still with Heliotar lenses and the original nameplate style, minus the serial number and “Made in Japan” (bare-cheeked camera, bottom left photo – Barry Toogood has a similar but fully dressed camera on his Yashica page). The next change was the aperture and shutter speed graphics on the faceplate to the later and more familiar style. Not long afterwards, the Yashica Flex S was updated to the new style, long hinged body. Other trim changes were still to come. These changes confirm the continuous development of this model rather than simply “early” and “late” versions. Some changes, like the locking lever, may not have occurred until late 1956 or even 1957.

Note that the late body camera in the middle already has the new type focus knob and depth of field scale that appear on all later knob wind models. The very late Yashica Flex S on the far right also has the new type locking lever instead of bent strap and black “Yashica” between the lenses has an oval surround like the Yashicaflex C (red) and Yashica LM (black).

I have 21 Yashica Flex S cameras in my database. Two of my three cameras (the two on the left above) represent the lowest and highest body serial numbers, however, they do not represent the earliest or latest cameras in terms of feature sets. The earliest serial number is 30210. This camera has the later Copal shutter already and serial number inside the body near the film feed spool instead of on the front flap with “Made in Japan”. These are the only features I am aware of changing from the first NKS-FB shuttered version. The focus scale is metric. Barry Toogood’s camera is just like mine and fits in either just before or just after mine in terms of features but I don’t have the serial number for that. The next camera I think is 304xx which has the expected NKS-FB shutter and external number. Then comes 30769 which has the Copal shutter like Barry’s and my earlier body but has the revised faceplate shutter speed and aperture graphics of later cameras already (pictured in “Body Variations” above, first Yashica Flex S). It has a focus scale in feet. This is followed by 309xx, another NKS-FB shuttered version with all the early features. Next is another Copal shuttered camera with the new graphics. Then comes 310xx which has both Copal shutter and new long hinged body plus the revised graphics. This is followed by 314xx which reverts to the NKS-FB shutter and old body. Serial number 315xx seems to start a run of consistent Copal shuttered, late body cameras. It is also the first with the new 8 flag reminder on the film wind knob. Then comes another surprise with 334xx being the last NKS-FB shuttered camera (with all the early features). Note that the lens serial numbers on NKS-FB shuttered cameras are all lower than any Copal shuttered version including mine.

I think that what has happened is that my database starts near the transition to Copal shutters which is almost immediately followed by the new bodies. Depending on how production was organised, cameras using new parts were probably already being assembled as old parts were being used up. It probably also means that earlier cameras are either very rare or I have been unlucky not to turn one up so far. Note that the progress of trim changes for Copal shuttered cameras is absolutely consistent with serial numbers; new graphics>new body>new film wind knob. It is the seemingly random interspersion of the NKS-FB shuttered cameras with original feature sets which is odd. Perhaps there was a supply issue with the NKS-FB shutters, perhaps that was the cause for change in the first place. Or maybe there is something funny happening to serial numbers that I don’t understand yet. The instruction sheet with my Copal shuttered camera actually refers to how wonderful the NKS-FB shutter is! (i.e., the sheet hadn’t been updated yet.)

The changeover of side sync to front sync and new style focus knob seem to usher in a new number series beginning at around 677xx (the body numbers have jumped by 34,000 but the lens numbers only 9,400 between this and the earlier camera). The changeover of film wind knobs with 8 flags to 9 flags occurred at around the same time or slightly later. The last four cameras in my database are interesting. All have the late style spool knobs for the first time. The first three have the new locking lever and the second and third cameras also have the new Yashica oval between the lenses and the graphics are a little more fine lined like later cameras. The first three cameras all have slightly higher lens serial numbers than my body number 71513 with its “bent strap’ locking lever and earlier name and graphics style still but the camera with the highest lens serial numbers has body number 714xx which is still lower than mine, i.e. in terms of feature sets, my camera should be the first in this group, not last.

The change in spool knobs and locking lever places these four cameras in the same time period as early to mid Yashica LM production – late 1956 to early 1957. At least 4 of the last 5 cameras and maybe all 5 have distance scales in feet, however preceding these is a similar group with metric scales and before these, there seems to be an even mix.

Yashicaflex A (budget model with plain filter mounts and red window)

Refer to Yashicaflex A Series above. There are 12 cameras in my database but only two with confirmed body serial numbers, so I have ordered the cameras by taking lens serial number – as noted earlier, I will quote the lens numbers in italics as a reminder that they are NOT body numbers. The first camera, taking lens number 319xx has a short hinged body. This is unique in that the ridged edge of the lens board focussing panel is still black painted the same as Pigeonflex to Yashica Flex B models. All later cameras and models have plain aluminium ridge edges. This is followed by a short hinged body with viewing lens 384xx. The next camera with body serial number 653xx and taking lens 771xx has a long hinge body already. This is followed by a short hinged body with taking lens 776xx. The rest are long hinged, the first of these is the last one with an all black leatherette film wind knob and cable release shutter. The next camera after this had body serial number 116xxx and taking lens 116xxx and is the last with Pigeonflex style locking lever. The change from 8 flags to 9 on the film wind knob, early to late focus knob and 3 screws in the accessory shoe to 4 all occurred at around taking lens number 278xxx. Spool knobs changed slightly later at either around 293xxx or 420xxx. The highest taking lens number is 771xxx.

Yashicaflex A-II (budget model with plain filter mounts, auto-stop film winding and counter)

Refer to Yashicaflex A Series above. There are only 9 cameras in my database and again serial numbers are a problem. The earliest, body number 283xx, is the only one with short hinges. Camera 908xx is interesting because it has the date Jan 26 1957 stamped inside it. At around 11x1xx, the film wind knob with black leatherette in the outer ring changed to 8 flags, the cable shutter release changed to press button, the locking lever changed from Pigeonflex type to Yashica A type and the hood got its logo back after a couple of mid-serial number range cameras had no logo. The next camera, 213xxx already had 9 flags instead of 8, late spool and focus knobs, front instead of side sync and 4 instead of 3 screws in the accessory shoe.

Yashicaflex AS (mid-range model with plain filter mounts, auto-stop film winding and counter plus Sekonic meter)

Refer to Yashicaflex A Series above. Fitted with Yashimar lenses and Copal 1-1/200 shutter. Basically an early A-II camera fitted with the Sekonic CB-1 meter from its more sophisticated and expensive sibling (note that whilst the meter hardware appears identical, the name “Yashicaflex” on the nameplate is in more modern script and is definitely a single word). Both early and late versions exist but the only difference appears to be early or late body type and change from cable to press button shutter release. At some point the new focus knob and scale were introduced and flash sync moved to the front as on Barry Toogood’s late example below. Late models may be called A-IS and a separate model with red film window called A-IIS is claimed to exist (see Yashicaflex A Series above).

Correspondent and exposure meter aficionado Simon A. Spaans has pointed out a difference in the meter reading arrangements between the Yashica Flex S and Yashicaflex AS. This is demonstrated in the two composite images below provided by Simon. Note that the Yashica Flex S readout on the left uses a 1-7 light value scale. The appropriate ASA speed on the sliding scale on top is set against the light value and shutter speed and aperture settings combinations can be read off. The Yashicaflex AS on the right has a readout with f/stop numbers. The scales on top now have different functions – the sliding aperture scale is lined up against the appropriate ASA number and the shutter speed read off. Whilst the process is slightly different, the functionality seems the same. However, the reality would be that it is far more intuitive to transfer the integers of the light value reading than dealing with arcane f/stop relationships, e.g. it would be easier to read and transfer 5.5 than halfway between f/11 and f/16. It seems certain that Yashima was looking to differentiate the two models further on the basis of useability even though there could not have been any cost differences in the components.

Again, I will use taking lens serial numbers in italics. Camera with taking lens number 794xx is the only short hinged camera. It is also the only one with cable shutter release. The sync moved from the side to front and the focus knob changed to the late type between taking lens numbers 129xxx (body serial number 835xx) and 370xxx (body serial number 206xx, yes the serial numbers appear back to front but that is what the photos and feature sets show). The 8 flags on the film wind knob changed to 9 between 129xxx and 507xxx. The highest taking lens number is 886xxx and this is the first with late spool knobs and moulded locking lever and is the first camera in my database to get the revised black-white-black hood logo.

MolfoReflex (rebadged Yashicaflex A)

Commonly written as MolfoReflex (as it appears on the nameplate) or Molforeflex (incorrect) but could be Molfo Reflex. The story that appears on a number of sites is that the Swedish importer ordered 1,000 Yashicaflex cameras rebadged as MolfoReflexes but only 400 were eventually delivered. From photos, these appear to be rebadged Yashicaflex A models. There is a photo with the early body and cable release and another photo of the later body and push button release. In other words, they were probably delivered in batches over time and the trim changes that occurred with the Yashicaflex A were reflected in the MolfoReflex.

Yashicaflex C (premium model, unmetered type)

First Bay 1 model without a meter, first Yashicaflex model without an early body type version and with the new oval shaped nameplate (also uniquely represented in the oval hood emblem – later model cameras reverted to the initial style until the narrow “Y” arrived). This is basically a late model Yashicaflex S without the meter and Yashikor taking lens replacing the Heliotar but featuring a Tr-Lausar viewing lens. The only two body serial numbers in my database are 526xxx and 546xxx which seem to be towards the beginning. The earliest cameras have 8 flags on the film wind knob, side sync, early focus and spool knobs, 3 screws in the accessory shoe. The later changes parallel the Yashica Flex S so production probably ceased at the same time. The latest camera has all the changes plus moulded locking lever. The Yashicaflex C also introduced the “Yashica” in an oval between the lenses. On most Yashicaflex C cameras this was red but on the last camera in my database, it is black. This camera also has the later, moulded type, locking lever.

Yashicaflex A2 (budget model with plain filter mounts and red window)

This is fitted with the Citizen MXV shutter and Yashimar lenses. Unusually, it is the first Yashicaflex to have the lens surround faceplate normally used with Bay 1 mounts but the lenses themselves have plain filter mounts. A budget model trying to look a little more up-market? Trim wise, it fits about here in the model timeline. Like the later Rookie, there is no hood emblem. The hoods seem to all be the earlier type with 2 chrome squares and unbroken parallel bars on the back. The film wind knob is the same as the late Yashicaflex A and early Yashica A with leatherette centre. There are cameras with both early and late spool knobs. There are two cameras with lens serial numbers in my database; the first with taking lens number 604xxx and viewing lens 537xxx. The second camera also has viewing lens 537xxx, about 500 greater.

Yashica LM (premium model with light meter) – Important Detail Changes Across the Range

Amongst the first three “Yashica” named models released in 1956. Table indicates introduction in Oct 1956. I have a copy of an ad for sale on eBay with a Dec 1956 date so that looks consistent (that ad is very important, it also sets the date for the Yashica A and Yashica C). Designed to replace the Yashica Flex S with new light meter sensor, more compact readout housing and adding an accessory shoe, they co-existed for a brief period.

Earliest version, I only have seen one, has the Heliotar lenses from the Yashica Flex S and the upgraded Citizen MXV shutter of the A2. The “Yashica” inside the oval between the 2 lenses is red like the Yashicaflex C but unlike the Yashicaflex C, the aperture scale is black, not red. Later cameras all have a black oval/name. However, there are some doubts about this one. I feel that the lenses and shutter are genuine – this combination is unique as far as I know and the body has all the very early LM features. It is the only one in the database with the earlier 8 flags on the film wind knob and metric focus scale with ASA reminder flags (there is a metric scale with the 10 DIN reminder flags camera – see later). However, the 8 digit serial number for this one, 57121xxx is on the nameplate flap over the light meter and is the largest in my database. Uniquely, the hood emblem is oval like the Yashicaflex C and perhaps both flap and hood have been replaced after a mishap. Of course, I could be wrong and it could be a complete “parts special”. All the other cameras I have seen are fitted with Yashikor lenses and Copal MX shutter.

Apart from the camera above, the first Yashica LMs have the serial number inside the body near the feed spool. The Heliotar lensed camera has a lens set with numbers 23xxx and is first followed by a block of numbers with lens sets beginning with 28xxxx. Mine has 492491 taking lens and 516429 viewing lens and body 103139 which is the first visible body serial number. This camera is the first with the late spool knobs and 4 screws in the accessory shoe instead of 3. The block of body numbers ends at 127xxx. Between 106xxx and 107xxx, the accessory shoe moved from almost touching the light meter readout to close to the hinge plate. Just after 107xxx, the hood design changed from two silver squares on the hood to a single square and the polished parallel bars on the back of the hood were split into two. The emblem remained the early type. This change occurred across the model range and is an important dating marker. Between 115xxx and 118xxx, the bent strap locking lever on the bottom changed to the more substantial later type. Almost immediately after (but not simultaneously), the film counter reset button was replaced by fully automatic reset and the button disappeared for ever. The locking lever affected all subsequent models except the Yashica-A and Rookie and the reset button affected all models with a film counter. At the same time, the hood logo changed to the black-white-black type. At around 123xxx, the serial number moved to the front nameplate. After 127xxx, the next block of numbers is around 790xxx, then there are 7 digit numbers around 5810xxx to 7100xxx and finally there are two cameras with 8 digit numbers, 57110xxx and 57120xxx plus the apparently very early camera with the Heliotar lenses, 57121xxx.

As can be seen with other models, strange things seem to happen with serial numbers towards the end of model runs. There are two cameras with 7 digit numbers both starting with 5810xxx and only 600 numbers apart which both have the later type half silver (white), half black film speed reminder on the film wind knob. These by feature set would be the last cameras made and would come after 7100xxx and the 8 digit cameras. Who knows? Also as noted earlier in the section on film wind knobs, camera 879xxx has 10 flags with only DIN film speed markings. It is also the only Yashica LM with metric focus scale apart from the unusual earliest example.

One thing about the Yashica LM that sets it apart is its covering. All of the Yashima-Yashica models are old cameras. A number have loose or damaged coverings through wear, repair, storage environment etc but by far the majority appear to be in very good condition. Not the Yashica LM. Over 50% of observed cameras have a problem and the loss or damage is much greater than other models. On mine, in excellent condition in other respects, the camera simply denuded itself over time and the bits were too brittle to reattach. Earlier LMs are much more likely to be affected (8 of the oldest 10 in my database). Surprisingly, its unmetered sibling, the Yashica C does not appear to suffer the same way.

Yashica C (premium model, unmetered type)

This is a portion of the original 1956 ad. It confirms that the Yashica C is an LM without the meter. In reality, its only feature difference to its direct ancestor, the Yashicaflex C is the M-X sync on the Copal shutter and Yashikor viewing lens replacing the Tri-Lauser. Trim details of course changed as for the LM above but this was not a long lived model and didn’t survive past the release of the Yashica D. (Even though the Yashicaflex C/Yashica C models had overlapped the development of the Yashicaflex B/Yashica D, it was probably one derivative too many when the Mat was launched).

Trim is consistent with its LM sibling. The earliest examples have 3 screws in the accessory shoe, certainly by 802xxx they have 4 screws. Serial numbers in my database start with what very much looks like C92xxx but I can’t absolutely confirm this. Then there are quite a few without body numbers recorded up to a group from 802xxx to 805xxx, this last one being the only Yashica C with a 10 flag film wind dial and metric focus distance scale whilst the other Yashica Cs have feet scales. Up to that point, they all have the early bent strap type locking lever and counter reset button but the spool knobs have changed to the later type. Camera 810xxx is the first with the new hood with single silver square and split parallel bars on the back. Camera 813xxx is an unknown in regards to the changes but from 819xxx on, the cameras have the new type locking lever and have lost the counter reset button. This block goes to 829xxx. Then there are two 8 digit numbers; 57101xxx and 57110xxx (similar to the last Yashica LM numbers).

Yashica A (basic budget model with plain filter mounts and red window)

This is a basic camera, in reality hardly different to a Yashima Flex except with Yashimar lenses (Yashikor later) and updated Copal shutter with 1/300 speed instead of 1/200. It has a basic locking lever shared with the Rookie and late Yashicaflex A and A-II models. Price was the only reason for its existence: half the Yashica LM price and around two thirds the price of a Yashica C. Presumably because of economy or the perception of economy, it was fitted with the simpler 2 screw hinge plates originally designed for the Yashica LM with its cramped meter readout and accessory shoe location (the LM was an expensive camera, it cost some USD$10 more than the Yashica D when they were both on the market at the same time). Some respected references, including Kyocera/Yashica itself suggest a 1958 introduction date. The ad is unequivocal about it being available in 1956 and it seems to have lasted until about 1969. This is absolutely consistent with trim changes.

The first camera, 34xxx, is the only one with the old style spool knobs. The first block of numbers, 34xxx to 60xxx have the same early hood features as the Yashica LM (2 silver squares, unbroken parallel bars etc). Either at the end of those numbers or at the beginning of the next block, the hood changed to the later type but still with early emblem. Shortly after, the hood logo changed to the black-white-black type. Then something really weird happens. All of a sudden, there is an 8 digit number 57111xxx which is the last of the 9 flag film wind knob models. The next two numbers are 7 digits, 5883xxx (film wind knob changed to the newer half black half silver DIN/ASA scale type) and 5870xxx. Then there is another 8 digit number (these are the only two), 38100xxx followed by a block of 7 digit numbers from 3810xxx to 3970xxx. At around 3940xxx, the lenses changed from Yashimar to Yashikor (still 3 elements in 3 groups) and the hood emblem changed to the narrow “Y” of the late 50s (gold for the coloured cameras). Also from this number to the end of this block (3970xxx) is when the coloured cameras appeared and disappeared. The colours found are (leatherette first): grey/black, grey/grey (rare) and cream/brown (rare). In my database, there are no black cameras in this group. The last block of numbers runs from A 2071xxx, which is just after the introduction of the dual distance scale focus knob, to A 6120xxx (but 2^nd digit never above “1” – see Serial Numbers”). At the end of this series, the hood emblem changed to the wide “Y” and the parallel bars to the black of later 60’s models.

At least 1/2 of the Yashica As in my database are from 1959 or earlier. Only 2 are from after 1965.

A comment about the 8 digit numbers and out of order sequences. I don’t understand them at all. It’s as if they are introducing the next series of 7 digit numbers. By feature set, I think they are in the correct order. Also, the 7 digit block with 38 and 39 prefixes must come after the 58 numbers since they introduce the Yashikor lenses and new hood logo and the 58 series are all Yashimars with early hood logos.

Yashica Rookie (basic budget model with plain filter mounts and red window)

Don’t know much about this one. Basically a Yashica A without the hood emblem and film speed reminder on the film wind knob (like the early Yashicaflex A) and the red window on the back turned sideways (all other red windows on various flavours were vertical). The reason is that it is the only Yashica 6x6 that can shoot 6x4.5. The sideways window in fact is two windows side by side; the left engraved “6x6” and the right “6x4.5”. This takes advantage of the two sets of numbers on 120 film. The hood has two pins, similar to the Yashica 635 which has an accessory 35mm sports finder insert. Presumably, the Rookie has a similar insert for 645 use. Elsewhere I have said that I believed that this was produced for the domestic Japanese market because of the distance scale in metres on the focus knob. There are no cameras in my database but I have several photos. In terms of trim, there are cameras with both two silver squares on the hood and with single silver squares as there are both cameras with early spools and late spools. This would date the Rookie introduction to near the appearance of the Yashica A, C and LM in 1956.

Yashica-Mat (premium model with Rolleiflex type control dials and crank advance with auto shutter cocking, unmetered)

According to my information and consistent with trim changes, released in 1957 two months before the Yashica D and Yashica 635 and in every way the same camera except for the crank advance, “automatic” shutter cocking and 4 element lenses. In fact, I am going to place it before the Yashicaflex B because there are no examples of that camera with the early locking lever whereas all the Lumaxar 75mm lensed Mats, from 57xxx to about 65xxx, had the earlier bent strap locking lever. Subsequent cameras changed to the Lumaxar 80mm lens and the newer, moulded type locking lever (note that the Yashica D and 635 also never had the earlier locking lever). From the beginning, the Mat was fitted with the later single silver square hood with the early emblem (but with a gold stylised “Y” instead of monochrome on the other models). Initially, the name between the lenses was the Yashica oval and the control knob adornment was two concentric gold rings. At about 71xxx, the disc trim changed to the single black leatherette ring also seen on the very first Yashica Ds and 635s.

The 5 digit serial numbers ran out at about 81xxx. Then, as with the Yashica As, a single 8 digit number, 38120xxx, seems to introduce the next block of 7 digit numbers beginning at 3890xxx and also the Yashinon lenses. At around 3990xxx, the name between the lenses changed to block style letters and control wheels changed to black radial style. This block of numbers ran to at least 4120xxx. The next numbers started with MT 1030xxx which also signalled the change of the hood emblem to the narrow “Y” and is the first example with dual distance scale focus knob.. At around MT 2051xxx, the control wheels changed to plain mat silver, slightly dome shaped. Between MT 2071xxx and MT 8010xxx, the two external pressure plate screws on the back disappeared.

Until now, both view and taking lenses had serial numbers since the first Pigeonflex. At around MT 5061xxx, the view lenses lost their serial numbers. At the same time, the control wheels had a subtle surface appearance enhancement to give them reflections like a spinning propeller or perhaps a slight cone shape rather than the dull dome. Within a very short period, the hood emblem changed to the final wide “Y” type. Between then and MT 6050xxx, the parallel bars on the rear of the hood changed to black. This block of numbers finished at MT 9111xxx. The last three cameras in my database revert back to the beginning of the 7 digit numbers using the presumably unused MT 10xxxxx series of numbers. These cameras are MT 1020xxx to 1030xxx and all have f/2.8 view lenses for the first time and two, possibly all have black locking knobs on the base. There is a fourth camera with f/2.8 lens with slightly higher taking lens number that I don’t have other serial numbers for. The last camera was made/sold in 1971 so it paralleled all the other Mats until the 124G was released. Even here there must have been some overlap as I have a copy of a Yashica brochure with both the Mat and Mat 124G and another full colour brochure with the Mat, Mat-124G, Yashica D and 635.

There are currently 69 Yashica-Mats in my database. Of these, 43 Have “Yashima Opt. Ind. Co., Ltd.” on the cover plate under the crank indicating production prior to 1959 (the rest have “Yashica Co., Ltd.”). In the beginning, the Yashica-Mat was an immensely popular model but by the end of the 1950s, interest in the 120 format, particularly by amateurs, was waning. At the same time, Yashica began releasing various metered iterations of the Mat which from the Yashica 24 on included innovations not introduced to the basic model. By the end of its extended model run, very few were being sold.

Contrary to expectations regarding availability, the first 41 cameras, or almost 2/3^rds of my Yashica-Mat database, are fitted with Lumaxar lenses. Of these, approximately the first 1/3^rd are 75mm versions, the rest 80mm.

Yashicaflex A3 (mid-range model with plain filter mounts and film counter)

I have photos of three cameras which are identical to the Yashicaflex A2 except that they have the Copal shutter as in the Yashica A and B, new style locking lever and the auto reset film counter replaces the red window. The hood is still without logo but is the later type with a single chrome square. Other details are not obvious. Is this an updated version of the Yashicaflex A2 or a different model? There is an exact Yashica equivalent in looks and specifications, the Yashica B. I have seen the “A3” name only and briefly referred to by Image Warehouse which in the same breath mentions A2 and I think, auto-stop winding which signifies film counter (see also my section on Sugiyama and his Yashicaflex A, new model). I suspect a domestic Japanese market version of the Yashica B. This has a metric scale focus knob and the Yashica B is in feet. The only serial number I have is 32111xxx.

Yashicaflex B, first version or something else? (premium model with Rollei type control dials, unmetered)

Following Sugiyama’s lead, a number of sites have incorrectly identified this camera as the Yashicaflex AS (confirmed metered model). Basically, this adds the Citizen MXV (M-X sync and 1/400 top speed) shutter and Rollei type aperture and shutter speed control dials (uniquely with leatherette disc inserts) to the Yashicaflex C. Reverts to the older style, Rolleiflex shaped nameplate and earlier hood emblem but has the new locking lever and hood with single silver square. I believe this is the first version of the Yashicaflex B. This also seems to be the view of the Japanese site “Information Warehouse”.

Yashicaflex B, (premium model with Rollei type control dials, unmetered)

Another name for Yashica D with which it shares all specs, or think of it as the preceding Yashicaflex (see above) with upgraded Copal MXV shutter. The only difference with an early D is the name on the nameplate and whereas I have yet to see a Yashica D with the early film wind knob of the Yashicaflex B, the first version of the Yashica-D user manual does show the early film wind knob. I know that the table shows this as actually being launched one month after the Yashica D, the sources are different and I have decided to have a 2 bob each way bet based on the trim details. Because of the ASA only film wind knob and metric scale focus knob, I suspect this camera is also a domestic Japanese model.

Yashica B (mid-range model with plain filter mounts and film counter)

This also has an exact Yashicaflex predecessor, designation probably Yashicaflex A3.  This is a rarish camera. I have photos of a half a dozen cameras. All have hoods and locking levers of the later type not appearing on the first Cs and As. Also, 5 of the hoods have the narrow ”Y” emblem of the late 50s (one of the 5 may have the hood from a Yashica Auto). The Yashica B used Yashikor lenses with plain filter mounts and the Copal shutter from the Yashica A, all mounted in a panel type normally used for Bay 1 type cameras.  Available in light grey leatherette and black metal work as well as all black. This also dates it slightly later.

Yashica D (premium knob wind model with Rollei type control dials, unmetered)

Another long running model; from 1957 to 1973. As already noted, this is a rebadged Yashicaflex B. It has the Rollei type control wheels, Copal MXV shutter and for most of its life, Yashikor lenses. The model history parallels the Mat with the Yashica A thrown in for colour. The first camera in my database is 3920xxx. It is black, has the control wheels with a ring of black leatherette, later hood with early emblem and the name between the lenses is the Yashica oval. The next lot of serial numbers is complete confusion to me (and perhaps to Yashica – maybe it was a colour code) so I have done my best to order in trim detail order. As with the Yashica A, all the coloured cameras seem to be in a block at the beginning of the narrow ”Y” hood emblem. Also the same colour combinations were found i.e., grey/black, grey/grey (rare) and cream/brown (rare).

Here goes. Camera (note change to 8 digit number) 38111xxx is cream/brown and the control wheels have a ring of matching cream leatherette and the narrow “Y”. Camera 38120xxx is grey/grey and has a ring of grey leatherette on the control wheels. Camera 38121xxx is cream/brown and the control wheels have a ring of cream leatherette. Then we are back to 7 digit numbers running from 3923xxx to 4102xxx. These are still coloured cameras. They have the new style “Yashica” in block letters between the lenses and black radial control wheels. Then there are two cameras with 6 digit numbers, 477xxx and 620xxx, coloured and with the black radial wheels and the block lettering. 621xxx is a rare grey leatherette covered example with matching grey metal body. This reverts to the control wheels with matching leatherette insert. 630xxx has grey leatherette over black metal, radial control wheels and is the first Yashica D with dual distance scale focus knob.

Most models have either 3 (early) or 4 screws (late) in the accessory shoe. The Yashica D is unique in that many of the shoes have no visible screws. Up to this point, it seems almost random whether the D has 3, 4 or no screws. From the start of the next block of numbers, D 1051xxx until around D 7050xxx, it is most likely that the camera has zero screws. After D 7090xxx, it invariably has 4 screws. There are no coloured cameras in the “D” series and the first of these have the plain silver control wheels. The D lost the two external pressure plate screws on the back between D 2021xxx and D 2110xxx. At around D 6010254 (mine), the control wheels changed to the shinier reflective type and the hood emblem changed to the wide “Y”. At around D 7080xxx, the parallel bars on the hood changed to black. The numbers run up to around D 9081xxx without controversy and then seem to start again at D 0030xxx. D 0090xxx has Yashinons already and the view lens is a f/2.8 without serial number. There may be a few transition cameras i.e., one will have Yashinons, the next Yashikors but by D 0120xxx, the changeover appears complete. The last cameras confusingly run from D 1021xxx to D 1062xxx (I don’t have serial numbers for a couple of later ones with bigger taking lens numbers). These seem to start just before the first of the D series numbers blocks and presumably don’t repeat themselves. The very last Yashica Ds have a black locking knob on the baseplate.

Yashica 635 (premium knob wind model with Rollei type control dials and 35mm film capability, unmetered)

Almost identical to the Yashica D, it only differed in not offering any colour options, could only be found with 4 screws in the accessory shoe and most importantly, it had the unique ability amongst Yashica TLRs to shoot 35mm when the supplied kit was installed in the camera. It was released at the same time as the Yashica D and like it, lasted until 1973. As expected, the trim changes mirror the Mat and Yashica D. My 635 database is somewhat sparse but I will cover what I have.

The first examples (I don’t have many body serial numbers for these, the order is based on lens serial numbers) had the Yashica oval between the lenses, black leatherette insert ring in the control wheels and the early hood emblem. The first change was the Yashica oval to block letters at about serial number 1120xxx. I haven’t seen any with the black radial style control wheels. The first prefixed body serial number recorded is ST 1040xxx which now has the early silver control wheels and the narrow “Y” hood emblem and is also the first Yashica 635 with dual distance scale focus knob. The two screws in the back disappeared by ST 2101xxx. The next number is ST 4031xxx and then the prefix changes to SX with the next number SX 4121xxx. The control wheels changed to the later, shinier type around this time. Around SX 7031xxx, the hood emblem changed to the wide “Y” and the parallel bars turned black at around SX 7100xxx.

The numbers get just above SX 9110xxx and then, as with the Yashica D, start again with SX 0053xxx. SX 0091xxx introduces the Yashinon lenses with the f/2.8 view lens without serial number. All subsequent lenses are of these types. Next number is SX 0120xxx followed by SX 1081xxx. Based on Mat and Yashica D sightings, the very last Yashica 635s may have a black locking knob on the baseplate (shown in a late edition of the user manual).

A little mystery. I have seen quite a few 635 cases with “Yashicaflex” on the front and early on thought that these were 635 backs with Yashicaflex fronts. But now I am certain that is not correct (well maybe Yashica did that but not individuals) – there are just too many of them. I think that most of the original pre-635 Yashicaflex cases were an older style and usually the backs and fronts I have seen match in style, colour and wear. Some have a similar logo on front to the Yashicaflex C hood and case (but the Yashicaflex C case style is much earlier) and others have the narrow gold “Y” which first appeared on cameras around 1957 or 1958 and lasted until about 1965. I have seen two cases with the Yashicaflex C like logo on them and which in other respects look like the 635 case except they don’t have the extra cut-outs. These belong to a Yashicaflex A3 and Yashicaflex B. Could it be that the 635 was initially known on the Japanese market as the Yashicaflex 635? Or, complete speculation but perhaps Yashica ordered too many cases before deciding to scrap the “Yashicaflex B” name in favour of the Yashica D and decided to use these fronts on the 635? Or was it just a marketing exercise? Anyone know the answer? Also, is there any connection to the prefix change from ST to SX? I might add that although I have seen sellers refer to “Yashicaflex 635”, I have seen no Yashica literature or manuals that suggest that this was ever officially the case.

Yashica Auto (cheaper premium model with Rolleiflex type control dials and crank advance with auto shutter cocking, unmetered)

The date I have for this is 1959 (according to both Sugiyama and McKeown) as opposed to 1957 for the Mat. I think this is about correct because all the half dozen examples (read photos) or so that I have seen have features that didn’t appear till later in the Mat (and Yashica D). These include the later locking lever, the narrow “Y” hood emblem (albeit with its own colour and size), the “Yashica” name is in block letters between the lenses and the control wheels are black radial. Where I can see it, the name under the crank is “Yashica Co., Ltd.” like the later Mats whereas the early Mats had “Yashima Opt. Ind. Co., Ltd.” Most have grey leatherette and black metal trim although there is an example on a Japanese website of a black one. This is a rare short lived camera which was possibly a marketing exercise to sell a slightly cheaper version of the Mat, probably in the domestic market only because of the metric scale on the focussing knob. This would fit with Sugiyama’s common rating.

I say cheaper because of the lenses. Barry Toogood has a Yashica Auto with Yashikor lenses. On six others from 3930xxx to 3950xxx where I can read the lens name, the lenses are Yashinon (note Yashinon, not Lumaxar which would be expected if this was an earlier camera than the Mat). All other Yashinons on 6x6 cameras (except the odd-ball Yashica-E) have either f/3.2 view lenses or f/2.8 in the late 60s/early 70s. Sugiyama confirms both the Yashinon lenses and aperture. Clearly the f/3.5 Yashinon view lens on all the Autos is a unique budget alternative but why would it be worthwhile for Yashica to commission a lower spec, relatively low volume optic? (This was at least 4 to 6 years before the Yashica E). There are some mysteries to solve here. Are these Yashinons of the same calibre as those fitted to the Mat, could they, or just the view lens, even be rebadged Yashikors? In their 35mm line, there were budget Yashinon lenses. Only someone that has examined the lenses closely can answer these questions for sure. In grey, a pretty camera now sought after because of its rarity in the West.

Yashica Mat-LM (Mat with meter)

Mat fitted with uncoupled selenium meter. Introduced in 1958 with trim development at the same stage as the Yashica Auto. I haven’t seen any with early Mat hood logo, they all seem to have the narrow “Y”, but the early logo appears on the operating manual example and an early ad and brochure so may exist in the wild. Production is claimed to last only 2 years until 1960 but there are a lot on the auction market and as noted earlier, it appeared in an ad in Life magazine in 1962 and in a 1964 brochure. Numbers 630xxx to 660xxx had black radial control wheels. Number 680xxx received the mat silver wheels already. The next block of numbers is MTL 1050xxx to MTL 1120xxx. Then there is MTL 2011357 (mine) to MTL 2123xxx. At around MTL 2120xxx, the LM lost the screws in the back. There were no other changes and this is consistent with the same period of Mat, Yashica D and 635 development. Other blocks of numbers are; MTL 3032xxx to MTL 3121xxx, MTL 4011xxx to MTL 4011xxx and the last camera is MTL 5080xxx.

Yashica Mat-EM (Mat with meter)

Production from 1964 to 1966. Probably less common than the LM. Uses a similar meter set up but with easier to use interface – exposure setting reading scale moved from focus knob to new window on top of the meter housing. Introduces a new square textured covering to metered Mats. View lenses do not have serial numbers anymore. Numbers are in the EM 5010xxx to EM 6120xxx range. The only significant change occurred at around EM 6011xxx when the hood emblem changed from the narrow “Y” to the wide “Y”.

Yashica E (single speed, automatic exposure)

The best thing that can be said about this camera is the fitting of Yashinon lenses. As with the Yashica Auto, the viewing lens is f/3.5 so there is a definite budget element here and the same questions arise. In the examples I have seen, both lenses are unnumbered. Single shutter speed of 1/60 and Selenium cell controlled fully automatic aperture. Now unlikely to work. Built in flash for flash bulbs. Collectible because it is rare and it is an example of something (read more elsewhere). The five numbers in my database range from YE 3060xxx to YE 3110xxx. I understand that production was pretty much limited to 1964.

Yashica 24, Yashica 12, Yashica Mat-124 (Mats with coupled CdS meter)

These cameras are very similar and practically identical in appearance except that the 24 has an exposure meter switch on the left side and the other two activate the light meter by raising the hood and the 124 grew its crank housing to incorporate a 12/24 frame reminder window. The 24 seems to have chrome parallel bars on the hood, the 124 has black and the 12 has at least some cameras with black. All three have aperture and speed coupled CdS light meters with match the needle reading. The 24 takes only 220 film (there are claims that 120 can be loaded – caveat emptor, do the research), the 12 uses 120 and the Mat-124 takes both by switching the pressure plate which also sets the film counter correctly.

Covering is as for the EM, they have unique control wheels with concentric black and white rings. Fitted with shutter locks and threaded cable release for the first time and the “improved” Copal SV shutter. (The SV was, I understand, very similar to the MXV. One site has suggested it contained fewer parts. First seen on the Yashica-44 some 10 years earlier.)

Four Yashica 24s recorded range from L 6090xxx to L 7110xxx. The only Yashica 12 is R 8020xxx. Yashica Mat-124s range from 7110xxx to 9053xxx and 0021xxx.

Yashica Mat-124G

The Mat-124G is basically a Mat-124 with gold plated meter contacts, most bright work, except the Bay 1 filter mounts, painted black and plastic replacing some metal bits. The covering reverted to the more traditional leatherette style of earlier cameras. By reputation, the closer the cameras got to the end of their production run in 1986, the coarser the operational feeling. I don’t know whether this is a fair assessment or not. There are some claims that production finally ceased in 1986 simply because the moulds and dies wore out.

I haven’t tracked any changes, if there are any over its 16 year life span but here is a little enigma with serial numbers. There are three different blocks of numbers and unlike with earlier series, there is little help from trim changes to help put things in order. This is my guess. Since at least 1964, Yashinon view lenses on any model were unnumbered. For the first time, a little over half of the taking lenses are also unnumbered. Because of previous practice, the numbered lenses would, I assume, come first. Therefore the first block probably contains the following sequences; 0102xxx to 0111xxx, 1043xxx to 1124xxx and 2083xxx to 4120xxx. The first block without taking lens numbers continues with sequences; 5020xxx to 5121xxx and 7064xxx to 9123xxx. Then the final block is 053xxx to 235xxx. My guess is that when 7 digit numbers were close to running out, instead of going to 8 digits, they went to 6. The 7 digit numbers continue the pattern of no 2^nd digit (from the left) being higher than “1”. The same pattern does not seem to apply to 6 digit numbers.