Yashica Lynx 14E

<p>Been after one of these for several years, but never managed to snag one at auction until recently. The exterior looks pretty good, but the VF needs a good cleaning. Rangefinder seems spot on as do the shutter speeds and apertures. Battery compartment had a couple of spent PX 640 mercury cells so there's some corrosion in the chamber. Don't know if I can get the meter up and going, but that's not a priority. It's hard to appreciate how large this camera is (due to its 45mm f1.4 Yashinon). It arrived yesterday and within an hour I was running a roll of Plus-X through it. I may get a CLA for it later, mainly to clean up the VF.</p><div></div>

<p>First, a few outdoor shots.</p><div></div>

<p>Image two.</p><div></div>

<p>Third image.<br>

1/125 at f11, Plus-X</p><div></div>

<p>From the east side of the house. </p><div></div>

<p>Now, what would a test of a camera with an f1.4 lens be without an image taken at f1.4? So here's an f1.4 photo. I used 1/30. Yes, with an f1.4 lens and a quiet, low vibration leaf shutter, Plus-X becomes a useable available light film.<br>

As with any wide aperture lens, DOF is minimal and contrast is lower.</p><div></div>

<p>Mike,<br /> How large is this camera. I heard that it is 2 lb?</p>

<p>Clean, crisp results, Mike. I've must bid, and lost, a half a dozen times trying to win one of these at a good price. No soap. The word is out. After viewing your pics, I can see why.</p>

<p>Good for you Mike. They are a great camera.</p>

<p>Rod</p>

<p>Good find, <strong>Mike</strong>. Like Louis, I've missed out on a few of these; they've always been in demand, though they're certainly a big and bulky rangefinder. As with all Yashinon-DX glass, that lens is tack sharp. I hope you can get it fully up and running, and please post some more pics.</p>

<p>Excellent shots!</p>

<blockquote>

<p>How large is this camera. I heard that it is 2 lb?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Pretty much. It is a huge, but beautiful camera. The lens is a monster and as large as a Mamiya M645 standard lens. However, the viewfinder is pretty dim and focusing in low light is mostly guesswork (see below). That's a big drawback for a rangefinder with such a fast lens, otherwise it would be a perfect available light camera. It's still a nice picture-taker with wonderful bokeh, but I sold mine.</p><div></div>

<p>Mike, those are nice & crisp shots and a nice body. I have one too, a cheapie from Ebay, but the battery issue rotted out the wiring and I haven't had the gumption to do surgery yet. I just peeked at Ebay and some are asking > $600 USD, crazy stuff.</p>

<p>The Lynx 14E tips the scales at 30 ounces loaded and ready to take pics. One fine lens but I find I need good light to pull a sharp focus (combo of dim finder and one that needs a good cleaning too and old tired eyes). Imagine any rangefinder today with a gigantanormous hunk of glass like that, paradise.</p>

<p>Jim M.</p>

<p>Good stuff Mike; I have one and it's one of my favorites. My finder needed cleaning and I bought a battery adapter from Yashica Guy, but as you point out the meter is not a necessity. I did get a lens hood for mine -- after shooting a bit I found that huge lens seems particularly prone to flare.</p>

<p>Very nice, Mike. I recently won one of these, but mine is the earlier non-IC version. The shutter seems to work at every setting but the meter is dead. No problem though; it'll still get a lot of use. I love the big howitzer of a lens mounted on this thing! Great post, great pics. Thanks for sharing!</p>

<p>Nice.</p>

<p>I sort of did my Yashica RF thing with a nice <a href="00WQDe">Electro 35</a> a while back. I'm still looking for a TLR, however.<br>

:)</p>

<p>Thanks, all. Don't know the exact weight, Kozma, but Bueh's numbers sound about right. <br>

Andy- I wonder if the IC version is really a step forward since it requires 2 PX640 batteries as opposed to the PX 625 of the original 14. Both models share the same smooth shutter release (paired of course with that fabulous f1.4 lens).<br>

JDM- Yashica RF cameras (regardless of model) are always good to discuss. We used to sell the Yashica GSN (last of the f1.7 RF Yashicas) and they were a big hit. Even the budget MG-1 and Campus models are great. <br>

Donnie- lens hood is probably a good idea. Didn't get flare this time, but I can see how this big lens might be susceptible to flare since the front element isn't recesssed very far.<br>

Rick, Louis- I've missed out on this one a lot of times too. I had to work to win this one. I had my winning bid typed in at about 30" left and only had to hit confirm to win. Hit confirm at the 3 or 4" mark and won.<br>

Jim- my finder is not only dim, but a bit hazy so I will eventually have it cleaned.<br>

Thanks again, everyone for the kind comments. This camera is definitely a keeper.</p>

<p>Wonderfully sharp indeed.</p>

<p>Hey Mike - nice post and good images. You managed nice pics with it especially wide open and I tip the hat to you.<br>

Mine has not been used in a while, long while, but may get some time to exercise it at least. Thanks for sharing.</p>

<p>I just threw mine on the postal scale: 1 pound, 15 ounces (with batteries, w/o film). Add another 6 ounces for the ERC.</p>

<p>It's a chunk alright!</p>

<p>I have this model and the 5000E as well and the it is a monster. I read either here or somewhere a comment that basically said you can't find one that works. I have seen them go on ebay and those detailed enough to say shutter works,RF works Meter works were already beyond my pocketbook. Mine was basically given to me by a friend who said it's broken. And indeed the meter doesn't work and the RF is badly in need of adjustment. Also there's a dent on the filter ring. But like yours it has a beautiful lens and it delivers an excellent photo. I was struck by Buehs comment that the VF/RF was too dim. I used the smaller 5000E in a club shooting a live band and remember it as being a breeze compared to the SLR I was using. I too have toyed with having it repaired but frankly I've got other more promising cameras that would benefit from a CLA. This is still a great performing camera with a very impressive lens. Your results are a good example. I love PlusX too!!</p>

<p>I was tempted to get one of these but I already have three rangefinders and one of them is a GSN. As it is I am not using them enough.</p>

<blockquote>

<p> I read either here or somewhere a comment that basically said you can't find one that works.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I can tell you that mine required considerable work to get it in tip-top condition, but well worth the effort. That reminds me, I should run another roll through it. I didn't know they made an 'IC' version of this camera, mine is slightly different (but I don't know where it is just now, and I don't remember exactly how the meter works).</p>

<p>There seem to be a higher percentage of Lynxes that have frozen shutters than GSN/Electro 35's, but the Lynx is older so age is likely a factor. I have a Lynx 5000 (f1.8) that I found in storage that has a frozen shutter. It's even older than my Lynx 14E. One day I may try to revive it as cosmetically it still looks pretty good. I also have a Canonet QL 2.5 with the same problem. <br>

For those who are still searching, if you can find one with a working shutter they're certainly worth the effort if they need a bit of cleaning. Auction descriptions are not always reliable as a frozen shutter will still click when released; it just won't open. Hence the description: "shutter clicks when released."<br>

Now, what really interests me is that Yashica also made a half-frame camera that had an f1.4 lens, but I've only seen one and my pockets weren't deep enough to snag it at auction.</p>

<p>I won on ebay this Lynx 14E in mint condition and perfectly working order. The same I was searching for a lens hood and started playing with some keywords in German and French; BINGO, a new old stock showed up for EUR 39. I'm buying right now a B+W UV filter for obvious reasons and get the crapy tifften. I'll post my first rolls of Ilford HP5 400 and T-Max 100<br>

<img src="http://www.mindthemix.com/film/Yashica%20Lynx%2014E%20-%20Welcome%20to%20the%20Electros.jpg" alt="" /><img src="http://www.mindthemix.com/film/Yashica%20Electro%2035%20%26%20Lynx%2014E.jpg" alt="" /><img src="http://www.mindthemix.com/film/Genuine%20Yashica%20Lynx%2014E%20Lens%20Shade%20(5).jpg" alt="" /></p>