Using the Yashica E

<p>I hope everyone had a great Holiday! As is the case, I usually get a little something for myself around the holidays... since I'm already in the spending mood, why not? This year, I decided to expand my Yashica TLR family of a 'D', a Mat 124G, and a 44A with a nice looking 'E' that I stumbled across on the auction site. I thought I'd jump on the opportunity since they're somewhat rare to begin with, and with low expectations of it actually working properly it would at least look good on my shelf.<br /><br />The Yashica E is the much maligned member of the family, emulating the Rollei Magic, automatically setting the aperture with only one shutter speed of 1/60th sec. Just compose, focus, check the needle to make sure you're in the proper range, and shoot! As it turns out, miracles do happen and there are working examples of which mine luckily is. Based on the serial number, my camera was one of the last made during its short production run of 9,447 placing it in the 1965-66 time frame. It was well taken care of, being in pretty much pristine condition.</p>

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<br /><br />Another indicator of its late position in Yashica E production is the placement of the Manual Control Lever f-stop position indicator under a window instead of an exterior plate.<br>

<img id="yui_3_11_0_3_1388083274838_431" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3667/11566534496_1d05b013f4_o.jpg" alt="" /><br /><br /><br />Even though the Yashica E is billed (and as a result reviewed as somewhat useless) as being limited to fully automatic exposure based on it's selenium metering cell, it actually is capable of being operated manually, although being limited to the single 1/60th shutter speed. On bright days, low to medium speed film is the way to go unless a neutral density filter is attached (the 'E' takes standard 52mm threaded filters). However, based on some rudimentary tests, I discovered that with my example, not only did the meter seem to be responding correctly, but was also driving the aperture to varying openings for what seemed to be required for acceptable exposures for different lighting conditions. So out I went with a couple rolls of Verichrome Pan, setting the meter to 80, one roll on a sunny day, the other when it was overcast. I assumed a speed of 80 for the VP due to its 2000 date.<br /><br />The results were surprising! On the sunny day, a meter setting closer to 125 really would have worked better since the negatives were somewhat dense, but easily printable. A setting of 80 on the overcast day turned out to be pretty much spot on.<br /><br />Another sunny day in Fort Lauderdale at the Marina on VP:<br>

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<br /><br />Neighborhood street on an overcast day:</p>

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<p>So as long as everything works reasonably well, the Yashica E isn't quite the doorstop that it's reputed to be... overall it was actually quite fun to use!<br /><br />Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!</p>

<p>Definitely not a doorstop, but it's a faceplate only a mother could love...</p>

Congrats on your acquisition. Verichrome Pan is a good choice to exercise this classic. Great shots, BTW.

<p>That's a neat looking camera, Allan, that I've not seen before. Your results look great. Thanks!</p>

<p>Lovely shots from this quite unique camera. I'm a Yashica lover and the E as well as the B are still on my to get list as well as crank 44.</p>

<p>Tom, LOL! I must confess though, it looks better after a little scotch.</p>

<p>Thanks Mike, Louis and Kris... I agree VP is the way to go for this camera with all kinds of latitude. Good luck Kris finding a 'B', those are indeed quite rare and I don't think it's even known how many were made. My daughter has an 'A' so I consider than one covered.</p>

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<p>I must confess though, it looks better after a little scotch.</p>

 

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<p>So does Mercury II half frame camera. </p>

<p>That's a new one for me, too,<strong> Allan</strong>, and it must have a certain rarity value. The trusty Yashinon f/3.5 turns in a good performance, with no lack of clarity. Thanks for displaying an interesting camera.</p>

<p>I've owned many Yashica TLR, and must admit, I have never even heard of that variant. Thank you for the post. Great results, and although quirky, an interesting camera. And concerning the scotch, I'll bet enough could even make my ex-wife look good.</p>

<p>Wow .. you got some great results. I too would have been worried about a clunker and this I would've avoided. It is in pristine condition and as you so aptly desrbed the use, it seems to be performing well. What could one do if the selenium meter wasn't working? Make some trials and then try to adjust to "how" it can work?? <br>

Lucky You . Keep this in the dark and exercise it periodically.</p>

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<p>Not a camera that I have seen before Allan, didn't know there was such a thing! Looks to have a good lens, but it is a Yashica, so you would expect that.<br>

You are lucky that it works in a sort of fashion, mostly auto cameras from that period are best avoided like the plague! I know, as I have a Rollei-Magic, which is strictly decoration!<br>

Thanks for the post, nice to see an unusual camera like this being used.</p>

<p>Thanks Kris, Rick, Ken, Chuck and Tony, I agree I was quite fortunate in acquiring a working example... and it definitely has the potential to be quirky!</p>

<p>If the meter wasn't working at all, it's still somewhat functional in that you can manually set the aperture using the manual control lever, and set the film speed ring to the red arrow on the bottom. That is meant for flash use and disables the automatic control; you're just stuck with the single 1/60th shutter speed, so you'd have to limit your film choices or use an ND filter if you have high speed film in bright daylight. Other workarounds involve adjusting the film speed ring to get the desired results.</p>

<p>Chuck... excellent advice, my plan exactly!</p>

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<p>Nice images Allan !<br /> Guess when you use this TLR on a tripod the 1/60 sec. will not be that a problem unless you have moving subjects.<br /><br />For those curious, here an image of what you find behind the Lens Cover :<br /> <img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7223/13943366872_3464056abe.jpg" alt="" width="364" height="500" /><br /> <a href="

This one from the earlier type.</p>

 

<p>Hans, fascinating and thank you! Thanks for the link also, a unique insight into a unique machine.</p>

<p>Thanks Allan !<br>

I had to go quite a long way to get it shooting again. Luckily i managed :-)</p>

<p>No doubt the Yashice-E is an unique camera.<br>

Very complicated on one side (auto-exposure system) but also very simple on the other (only 1 shutter speed).</p>

<p>If you know how to handle it (tripod !) descent images can be made and of course it's also a real collectable being that rare.</p>