john_c16 Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 I found this in someone's avatar--it is a very attractive looking rangefinder. Can anyone identify it for me? ThanksJohn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
User_502260 Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 The photo is very small but it's either a Contax or a copy of one. The red color is almost certainly not original. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vics Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 I think it's a Contax IIa (fifties vintage) and either a Camera Leather re-cover or a Henry Shearer custom overhaul. I have a IIIa, it's just like this except with original leather and has a meter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umut_arslan Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 its a yashihara. the company is out of bussines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtk Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 Its an early Contax IIa-D, the digital rangefinder they introduced in 1955. Very big digits back then. You're not seeing the Macintosh tube amplifier that it required. Very fine. Contax planned a 3-D version, but the two-Macintosh kit was deemed impractical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_c16 Posted August 23, 2007 Author Share Posted August 23, 2007 Thanks for the responses...though I can't seem to find anything on the Yashihara. I've found 'yasuhara' but those are very different. Could someone direct me to some info? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_c16 Posted August 23, 2007 Author Share Posted August 23, 2007 Scratch that last post. It appears to be a Yashica 35. Thanks all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troll Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 Thanks, John, for posting this -- I've never seen one (or even known of their existance.). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winfried_buechsenschuetz1 Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 Yes, it's a Yashica 35. These ones look similar to old Contaxes but have a leaf shutter and a fixed lens, usually with f/2.8, the f/1.9 version is pretty rare. It is built like a tank. Different from most other japanese rangefinders, it uses a prism beamsplitter - the disadvantage is that this cannot be replaced if the semi-silvering is gone. There is another camera looking similar to the Contax, the Neoca-SII. But this is a flimsy thing compared to the rock-solid Yashica 35. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winfried_buechsenschuetz1 Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 PS. These old rangefinders can look very attractive when re-leathered. A dark red tone fits very well.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winfried_buechsenschuetz1 Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 Some japanese manufacturers were very eager to give their cameras an expensive look: http://www.cameraguild.jp/nekosan/9906.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_shriver Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 Quite a few high-grade Japanese rangefinders used beam splitting prisms. All the Canons (from the S-II at least) did. The Topcon 35-S, 35-L, etc. also do. While repair of the prism isn't very feasible, it generally isn't needed, since it is so durable. Cheaper ones, like the Aires Viscount, use the ordinary half-silvered mirror. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nzdavid Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 <I found this in someone's avatar>?!? Can someone translate? Is this ia Second Life camera? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_c16 Posted August 27, 2007 Author Share Posted August 27, 2007 It's the little picture next to someone's name in a forum thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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