More info on the lens of the Yashica Lynx 14E IC

[lars_arvid_s.]

Hi, yesterday I accuired an Yashica Lynx 14E IC, R/F and meter are

working and I`m putting a roll of TRI-X through it right now. I just

wondered if anybody had more information about the lens and the

meter of this camera (I`ve read Mike Conneally's great thread).

 

How accurate are the meter (accurate enough for slide film use?) and

how good is the lens wide open (or stopped down a stop or two?).

 

I will use the camera in paralell with my Olympus XA (when it gets

too dark for the small XA) and I was a little disappointed with

the "loud" (when comparing to the XA`s electronic shutter) shutter

sound on the Lynx, but it's not as bad as my SLR's. Also, I don't

find the Lynx too big, after all I've read I thought it would be

enormous, but it's just big ;-)

 

Ah, a couple more musings/questions, with the rather large front-

element, wouldn't the lens benefit from a lens-shade? And where do I

find a suitable shade? Same about hood, I've read that it takes a 60

mm slip-on-hood, anybody know it these are easy to find (nothing's

easy to find here in Norway, just glad I finally found a Lynx 14E!)

 

Well, off to finish the first roll now.. :-)

[winfried_buechsenschuetz1]

I mainly use slide film, and the meter of the Lynx14E (like the meters of most cameras equipped with CdS cells) is sufficiently accurate for slides. And there is no reason NOT to use the lens wide open, it is surprisingly good, and stopped down it's probably one of the best rangefinder lenses of the 70s.

 

Instead of a 60mm push on lens shade, you also can use a 58mm screw-in shade which probably is more current.

[michael_linn]

Yes, it's an excellent lens in all respects. With the meter, the only caution concerns it's location. It is easily fooled in bright light by the reflection from the huge satin-chrome lens barrel.

[lars_arvid_s.]

I've just developed the first roll, it looks good so far (after just inspecting the negatives). I compared the meter readings to a couple of other cameras, and I think you are correct Michael, it tends to get fooled by bright light-sources (like uplights indoors) and it then underexposes about a stop. I will of course try some more testing, this time with slide film (thanks Winfried & Michael!)

 

Haven't seen screw-in hoods or shades, but I'll look some more.

[rob_murray]

I find cheap rubber hoods in the bargain bin at my camera dealers

shop in the right size and cut the rubber part off since it might

get in the way and end up with a 3/8 of an inch long mini hood

I leave attached all the time. It also protects that metal filter

ring from getting bent like so many of them are. I have not stacked

two rings together yet for a deeper hood. I may try that.

Camera still fits in the leather case with one ring on it.

Rob