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.
Look what I found! A blast back in memory lane ... The build quality is simply remarkable for a reasonably cheap camera, even in its day. Yes, this is from the 1960s!
Ah... simplicity!
Still feels good in the hand, and probably looks better then many of the modern button-covered plastic behemouths!
This fella is probably the REAL treasure in dad's drybox, more so even then the Nikon D80. It brings back many memories of the 1960s I am sure ... Nuff said.
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 which will not open the back door; opening the camera is achieved by moving and depressing a small button on the bottom plate.
1 comment:
Ah, excellent!
The back door opening was a mystery! Mine will have a few rolls used before it becomes just a collector's item.
It's a very well made camera. the "J" logo looks almost as if they intended another function, most likely exposure meter. Mine is J5090040.
I am beginning to realize that despite benefits, digital will die before analogue. I have 100 year old photos, but all my digital material must be copied and duplicated every few years to avoid loss. Long live film and the more simple cameras which allow us to still use it without Kilo's of burden!
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