Topic: My First Yashica TLR!

[Glen]

Hi all,

I have just acquired a truly lovely Yashica 635 after a lengthy and exhausting search for one in pristine condition. I have noticed however, that the dial knobs (aperture/shutter control wheels) don't appear to be original. I believe they are genuine Yashica, just not the right ones for this model; is this correct? Perhaps someone can shed some light on this... were these black plastic radials ever standard equipment on a 635? If they are not original, how difficult would it be to find the correct knobs? Silver ones would look sooooo much nicer! Or would I in fact have to buy another 635 to swap the parts? (Yikes!) Perhaps someone on this fine forum has extra knobs they might consider selling?

I am assuming that a lens hood is quite essential. Are the generic (ie Ebay) plastic ones a fairly suitable substitute, or am I better to pay a rather princely sum to get the real deal? (keeping in mind the fact that my fixed disability pension prevents me from being in the same league as Thurston Howell III)

This camera did not come with a case, and after pricing some online, I am admittedly getting a bit worried. My gosh, I saw some cases for over $200! Any and all advice/tips/suggestions regarding my beautiful new camera would be very much appreciated. This is all very new to me. If there are sources out there for things like dial knobs, cases, filters, hoods, etc, perhaps some of you can pass this info on to me.

As you can well imagine, I am very anxious to start shooting with this gem of a camera. As it is not yet even in my possession, I can only hope that it is mechanically as pristine as its appearance. (I have been assured that yes, it is indeed mechanically mint... though we all know that this may be wishful thinking) I should have it in my hands within a week or so, and I'll report back with my findings. In the meantime, any things in particular that I need to look for?

Finally, I wonder what is considered a fair price for a camera like this. Assuming that it is mechanically fine, what would one generally expect to pay for this? (I paid about $100; included was a complete 35mm kit, hand grip, manuals, original lens cap, cable release, and some other odds and ends)

Thanks,
Glen
www.FocusOnNewfoundland.com

[sapata]

Hi Glen and welcome to the forum...

I believe the knobs should be silver but i'm not totally sure ( the logo on the top of yours is also different than mine...) personally I wouldn't worry about changing them as you would have to get the front leatherette out to gain access the screws and shutter. It's not that difficult but the leatherette might get badly damaged depending on the camera's condition... I had to fix the front panel of mine and I was lucky it came out intact.

http://www.picturenoise.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Yashica%20635

This is a lovely camera indeed, mine has a Yashikor lens which is three elements (supposedly less quality) but I just love the effect when is wide open...

I have parts of the 35mm kit missing and I have no money to buy other kit at the moment... I'd love to try some 35mm film in this beauty!

Someone here reminded me about the little 35mm knob the might show up in the picture if you're not carefull... I had that mark in every single frame...

[Urban Hafner]

Congratulations to a great acquisition. And you're right, a lens hood is essential. I bought a Rollei one because they were easier to get, but it really doesn't matter which one you get. There's also the possibility of a bay 1 to thread adapter. They are available in various sizes and then you can mount a normal lens hood and threaded filters (I have a  42mm adapter for my infrared filter).

I don't know anything about cases because I can't stand them! They just get in your way. How about a small camera bag instead?

But of course most importantly, have fun shooting!

Urban

[Photo_Utopia]

You have a bargain, well done! My first real TLR (sorry Lubitel) was a Yashica. It really set me on my way with seeing. As well as a hood, a bay 1 Rolleinar close up lens would be a nice addition.
Regards (and welcome to filmwasters)
Mark

[jojonas~]

welcome, Glen and congrats to your yashica!

I have the same model too (though ratty and undergoing repair) and it's a wonderfull piece of equipment~
as sapata already mentioned about the knob sticking in, it is the one marked with an R one the side that is showing in this picture you posted.

I wonder if the black knobs are in fact original. hm.. it does look like an earlier model compared to mine. though paul sokk at http://www.yashicatlr.com/ says "I haven’t seen any examples with the black radial style control wheels". so I guess he'd be interested in serial numbers and specs from your coming camera.

oh, and as Mark I can wholeheartedly recommend buying some rolleinar close up lenses. I've got the 1 and 2 and they are incredible. there's even a dedicated flickr group for shots taken with them called: ...Rolleinar...1...2...3... http://www.flickr.com/groups/887691@N21/

here's a shot with mine (using the rolleinar number 2 I think):

[Photo_Utopia]

Jonas thanks for the heads up on the Flickr group. Here is a Rollei T with number 2 Rolleinar.


APX 100 in Rodinal (is there another)


Hp5 in Rodinal again

[Urban Hafner]

And if you don't want to spend the money on the Rolleinars, there are also cheap plastic close-up lenses that work surprisingly well:


Autumnal fruits and leave by Urban Hafner, on Flickr

[jojonas~]

I knew I was forgetting something! 

don't use the self timer when the sync lever is set to M -you might damage the shutter!
I hear some fit their sync levers to X permanently.

[Francois]

Wow!...
New filmwaster from NFL!
Welcome!

[Glen]

Quite sick with the flu at the moment, but just wanted to post a quick thank-you for your kind replies. Very informative, thanks! More later.
  Glen

[artobest]

I have the Yashica Number 2 close-up set for my 124G. I love it! It's the best present the new TLR owner can give him or herself.

[Glen]

Well, it took quite awhile to get here, but I'm happy to report that my Yashica 635 with the unusual black control knobs finally arrived in today's mail! It was packaged very well, and is in absolutely perfect condition. It really is flawless; both lenses, screen, leatherette, chrome, everything looks just like new. The dials, focus, everything is so silky-smooth; not so much as a speck of dust, haze or cleaning marks in the lens. I have tested all shutter speeds and find them accurate. It really is a gorgeous camera.

Unfortunately, it could be another week or two before my film arrives from the USA. (I have to date been unsuccessful in finding affordable 120 here in Canada) I have a lovely new hand-stitched leather strap on order, and once my film arrives I'll be using this beauty to capture my Fogo Island (Newfoundland) landscapes.

As this is indeed my very first Yashica TLR, you can imagine my excitement when I opened the parcel to discover that it truly is as perfect as the seller had described! I want to thank everyone for your interest in my camera, and Paul at RFF, for offering to help with the mystery of the unusual control knobs. Seems some like the idea of it having the rare control wheels. The camera was not even yet in my hands, but I was getting offers right and left to buy it, including someone who offered far more than I paid, while another simply said "name your price"! But I think I will be keeping it for a long time!

Thanks again,
Glen

[astrobeck]

beautiful camera!
Happy to hear you are thrilled with it and that it's in great shape.

Now some pix please..... 

[Francois]

Getting cheap film can be a bit of a chore around here too.
I usually get my 120 from http://www.lozeau.com/ in Montreal. I had to get a special order delivered and their shipping rates are at least reasonable, something which can't be said of their processing... win some loose some.

Last time I went, I picked up some PanF at 6.49$, some FP4 and Delta100 at 5.99$ each.

[Glen]

Hi Francois,

Check out www.FreestylePhoto.biz in the USA. They have excellent prices on all of their film. As of this past week they no longer have minimum orders, plus they now have the option of shipping by FIMS (FedEX International Mail Service) which is very cheap to Canada, if you are not in too much of a hurry. I just got a mountain of film delivered for about ten bucks.

Glen

[Francois]

That's pretty nice. They used to have conditions that would rip your arms out!

[Glen]

Here are two nicer photos of my 635, taken yesterday.

Glen

[Photo_Utopia]

That looks lovely, new old stock! congrats!