Yashica MG-1
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| MG-1 in black image by Steve Harwood (Image rights) |
The Yashica MG-1 belongs to the typical fixed-lens automatic rangefinder cameras of its time. Compared to its main competitors it has a rather large and heavy body. Yashica introduced it in 1975 as a successor of its discontinued Electro 35 series. It is kind of an odd combination of the old oversized body with a more simple lens. It almost looks like that Yashica wanted to get rid of already produced Electro 35 series parts in form of a cheaper camera, without jeopardising their new high end model Electro 35 GL (better lens, slightly smaller body) or the other entry model Electro 35 FC (similar lens, compact body). Interestingly, this is the only camera of the entire series, which does not carry the term "Electro" in its name.
The lens is a fixed Yashinon 45/2.8 which focuses from about 1m to infinity and takes 55mm filters. The aperture priority exposure system is measured by a CdS meter above the lens. CdS metering requires batteries. Two LEDs on the top of the body indicate slow speed and over-exposure. The camera was available with either a black or chrome body.
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| in chrome image by Romuald Swieconek (Image rights) |
Yashica Electro 35
| 35 | G | GT | GS | GTN | GSN | MG-1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction | 1966 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1973 | 1973 | 1975 |
| Colour | chrome | black | chrome | black | chrome | black/chrome | |
| Shoe | cold | hot | |||||
| ASA | 12-400 | 12-500 | 25-1000 | 25-800 | |||
| Meter | CdS | ||||||
Links
- Yashica MG-1 manual available at Mike Butkus Orphan Cameras
- Yashica G Series chronology
- Lionel's Yashica MG-1 overview in french at 35mm-compact.com
- Yashica MG at The Camera Site by Reijo Lauro
- Yashica MG-1 on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand (in French)
