jim_thomas1

I agree that the Yashica A is an underrated camera, and although it has a limited range of shutter speeds, and a dim viewfinder (compared to the Yashica D and other higher priced TLRs) it is a capable picture taker.

 

I think you are confused about the camera having removable lenses, though. Unless you are talking about an auxiliary telephoto or wide set, the Yashica A has permanently attached matched Yashikor lenses, and no other lenses are not interchangable.

 

Jim Thomas

jwthomas@erols.com

Well, I can tell you that the Hesper lens in my Zenobia is a four element lens, because I took it apart to try and clean a hazy lens element. I had heard someone suggesting that the Hesper was a 3 element and the Neo-Hesper a 4 element, but apparently this theory is incorrect.

 

Jim Thomas

jwthomas@erols.com

Although the Mat 124-G is the best of the Yashica TLRs, you will also be happy with just about any of the other Yashica-Mats, provided they are in good condition and have not been abused. I use a 124-G, as well as a "D" and an "A". I also have owned several other Yashica-Mats, and they perform well if they are in decent condition. The Yashikor lens can be every bit as good as the Yashinon found on the earlier Yashica-Mats, but the Yashinon lens on the 124-G seems to outperform the others, particularly in terms of color rendition and contrast. There has been a suggestion that this lens may be multicoated, and although I can't prove this to be true, it sure seems likely.

 

Take a look at my website "Classic Rollfilm Cameras", where you will find pictures of several Yashica-Mats, as well as a brief review of each. The URL is:

 

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/2786/camera.htm

 

Good luck!

 

Jim Thomas

jwthomas@erols.com

Here's the link to the info site about ROR-1. I am NOT affiliated in any way with the manufacturer, nor do I have any stake in the product at all. Just wanted to pass along the information.

 

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Jim

 

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http://www.ror.net/index.htm

I would bet the farm that the magical mystery cleaning fluid was ROR-1 (Residual Oil Remover), great stuff that was recently discussed on the Leica list. Everyone was amazed that so many others knew of this little "secret". You first blow off the dust particles with canned air, then use a little ROR-1 on a microfiber lens cloth such as Luminex or Photo-Clear. Works great...

 

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Jim

The Yashica D was manufactured for many years, from the late 1950's until at least the late 1970's (possibly into the 1980's). The Yashica Mat-124G was produced between 1972 and around 1988? I've owned two Ds, and a 124G and while the 124-G I own is the best quality medium format optic I have ever used, the D with 3 element Yashikor is no slouch either, and takes pictures on the par of the Rolleicord III I formerly owned (Xenar lens). Very sharp and contrasty. I actually find the D easier to use, but the 124-G is clearly the Cadillac here.

 

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Wouldn't give up either one for the world though. And I wouldn't hesitate to use the D for a critical job. Great cameras, both of them!

I have used the Rolleinar 1, 2 and 3 lens sets, as well as a Telesar #1 set with all of my Yashica TLRs, and they work great! They all have a prism in the top lens to compensate for parallax error. Some of the Rollei sets have a separate prism called Rolleipar, and some have it built in. Both ways work equally as well.

On the subject of light leaks at the red window, I have found that these have only occurred with my cameras when using Kodak film with the yellow paper backing. It doesn't seem to want to keep out light as well as the black paper used by Fuji and others. I have never had a problem with light leaking with Fuji rollfilm and have shot many rolls.

 

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For what it's worth...

 

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Jim