nha_le

I love this camera. I took many lovely photos with it. I also just got the version with the Novar lens to compare. But the one with Tessar lens is better and harder to find. Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 521/16

<p>I just asked him about a Yashica 12 I got in a bundle which has a none working shutter and he sent me a final repair fee for $165. I sent him payment via Paypal and shipped my camera to him today. He replied me in reasonable time. I saved money to send my camera to him before he retire.<br> I asked the only one reputation camera service near my place and the cost is almost the same. I choose to send to Mark Hama because of his reputation for Yashica and I saw the camera from his service has a resale value. It wasn't cheap to put in almost $250 for the camera but I really like the camera so I just try my luck with Mark Hama. Don't know if it worth it. I saw some Yashica 12 on ebay said working for around $150 but I can't trust it. You know old camera, even if it seem working it's always still need service. DOn't know if I make the right decision and not burn my hard working money ;-)</p>

<p>Another silly question! I just got this camera in a bundle on ebay. So far everything moving smoothly and shutter working in different speed. But when I look through the len I see nothing. It's black. I can see some light shadow but no image shown. Did I do anything wrong or the camera is not working :(?<br> thanks</p>

<p><img src=" alt="" />I got one while ago but never tried it because I couldn't find good deal on film for it :-). Good to know yours is working.<br />

<p>Thank you everybody for precious opinion! I just ran a test roll and the camera is working but it need some service for lubricant those wheels due to grease up. Very nice and easy to use camera, indeed!<br> </p>

<p>Sorry to hear about your Yashica. I also has the Ricohmatic 225 but it doesn't has a exposer meter as the Yashica 12. It took great picture too but I found myself use the Yashica 12 more often :D</p>

<p>I took the battery out and it said 625 on the it so I went to Radio shak and found exactly the same one. I replaced it and the metter started moving in different light condition. I read the manual and they said when the exposure and shutter speed is right, the yellow needle and the red needle will line up. I followed it and it worked exactly like that. <br /> I will have to wait until I develope the test roll film to see if it's accurate :-)<br> I paid $48 for the camera so I still have some budget left for fix up. </p>

<p>After putting a new battery in, the light meter is working beautifully. It's one of the think I like of the Yashica 12 over the Ricohmatic 225<br /> Here is the camera<br />

<p>The Yashica 12 and Ricohmatic 225 are the best candidate so far. They look and funtion pretty much a like. I haven't test them out yet so I can't tell. Before putting money to the service, I'd like to ask if anybody used any of them before? Thanks :-)</p>

<p>Thank you all for very precious opinions. The Mamiya is now out of the budget.<br> The Yashica 12 seem like the one in best shape. All the nods and shutter working but I am not sure it's accurate. There is still an old fim in it from the previous owner. I'll bring it to the service to check up to make sure.<br> Compare to other, Yashica is stand out because of its well build and functional.</p>

<p>I just got one in a great shape but haven't figure out how to use it. I am using the Kodak Retina 1a<br> and had some fun with it. Is anybody has experience using both of them? If so which one is your favourite. I am thinking of selling one of them :-)</p>

<p>I bought a whole set of Polaroid land 100 from a retire collector and after replace the battery, the camera worked like a charm! Brought tears of joy to my eyes ;-)<br> I used the Fujifilm which is just $8 on amazon. There is also B&W which I want to try out after I master the camera since the B&W film is more expensive.<br> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000ALLYO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1<br> Once you firgured out the right setting for the camera, you will get pretty photos and the camera is a main attraction everytime I brought it out to take photo ;-). There are a lot of video on internet show you how to use the camera.</p>

<p>Sound like all good ideas here :-)<br> Maybe I'll take them out to take picture and see wich one I like the best.<br> As a collector I'd like to keep them all but it's all about budget :-)</p>

<p>Yeah Chris, the Mamiya looks like the most expensive one. I'll have to see if it's in working order ;-)</p>

<p>Thank you Jochen. Another helpful information. I am so new with TLR since the only one flex camera I have is the Argusflex and it's really just for decoration. I took some photos with it but the lens and the viewfinder is horrible. That's why I am so excited for this lot in hope of finding a good camera to use often.<br> I'll post photo and condition of them when they arrive next week :-)</p>