Yashica J

Yashica J
Maker: Yashica Dates: 1961 Variants: black and chrome lens barrel Camera Type: 35mm rangefinder system Focusing: manual Rangefinder: coupled Lens mount: fixed Shutter: blade shutter from B to 1/300 Exposure meter: none Shoe: cold shoe Synchronized: x sync at all speeds X sync speed: all Motor drive: of course not Weight: approximately 640g

Introduction

The Yashica J is a 1961 rangefinder camera. It has a high quality lens and a rather limited set of shutterspeeds. At the time of release, it was probably considered a budget model, since the better equipped Yashica Lynx 1000 and Yashica Minister series were being marketed at approximately the same time. Confusingly, the Yashica Penta J SLR and its successors are often referred to as the Yashica J line.

Specifications

Two sets of framelines are visible in the viewfinder, one set for infinity focus and the other one for closer focus. There's no automatic parallax correction as on the later Yashica Electro 35 series. The rangefinder is coupled to the focusing ring. This ring has a small lever to make focusing more comfortable.
The lens is a fixed 45mm F/2.8 Yashinon with apertures from 2.8 to 16. The minimal focusing distance is 1 meter. There a framecounter around the advance lever, counting up from 1 to 36. On the back a small screw permits adjustment of the rangefinder without opening the body. The Yashica J has a rewind crank wich will not open the back door; opening the camera is achieved by moving and depressing a small button on the bottom plate.

Variations

At least two variants of this camera are known: one with the *J** logo on a black field and with a black lens barrel, as shown in the pictures, and another with a metal colored field and lens barrel.

Images

Links

A Yashica rangefinder chronology on Yashica Guy's page

• Yashica J at www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand