Yashica TL
Revision as of 18:07, 12 June 2023 by Tarn McDaddo (talk | contribs) (corrected an error in the statements about the TL model)
The Yashica TL series Single Lens Reflex 135 film cameras were initially a very similar design and specification to the Asahi Pentax Spotmatic series. The TL indicated through-lens (stop-down) metering.
The first two cameras featured a Spotmatic-style viewfinder "center-the-needle" metering system. Unlike the rival Spotmatics, the TLs used silver oxide batteries, and the TL Super instruction manual claims the camera was the first to use these batteries.[1]
- TL Super (1966)
- TL (1968) - similar to the TL Super but with a reduced shutter speed range and no mirror lock-up.
The later Electro series replaced this with miniature viewfinder lamps, and electronically timed shutters.
- TL Electro X (1968) also had electronically timed semi-variable shutter speeds.
- TL E (1969) - a TL with Electro-style miniature lamps in place of a viewfinder needle pointer (and mechanical shutter).
- TL Electro X ITS (1971) - essential the same as an Electro-X, but was only made with a black finish.
- TL Electro (1972) - a cut-down version of the TL Electro X, which had conventionally stepped mechanical shutter speeds, and lacked FP sync and mirror lock-up.
- Yashica Electro AX (1972) - aperture priority auto exposure.
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| Yashica TL-Super image by Denny Narciso (Image rights) |
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| Yashica TL-E image by Casual Camera Collector (Image rights) |
Notes
- ↑ The Mamiya/Sekor TL models were also introducing silver-oxide power at nearly the same time.
Links
- Yashica TL Super manual from Mike Butkus's OrphanCameras.com
