Yashica TLRsYashica produced a long series of TLRs from the early 1950s through to the late 1980s. They include a mix of very good and not-so-good, although all of them tend to be regarded as good value for money workhorses now. For the models after the Yashicaflexes, Peter Williams' site is good, with a lot of detail on the lenses and models. Sugiyama's coverage of the extensive Yashica range is somewhat sketchy; McKeown is a bit better, although some areas are not quite right and some important transitional models are missing.
In his 2005 AP article (see below), Ivor Matanle goes with McKeown and concludes that the "Yashica" series generally post-dated the "Yashicaflexes", but it seems to me improbable that Yashima/Yashica would have used such clearly early-fifties design features so late, even for cheaper models. |
Yashica-44The picture at right is of the relatively rare 4x4 (127 film) model Yashica produced a - the Yashica 44 - I obtained this in a bundle with one of my Yashicaflexes! |
|
Pigeonflex The Pigeonflex's history is obscure. As noted above, Sugiyama shows two in the period of transition from Shinano to Yashima. He also shows a Yashimaflex with Tri-Lausar lenses and other great similarities to the later of the two. Where this gets interesting is that MY Pigeonflex has the same shutter as the Yashimaflex, but the same "Pigeonar" lenses as the EARLIER Pigeonflex model. It also looks more like the earlier Pigeonflex in Sugiyama... As so often with Japanese TLRs from the early 'fifties, little is wholly standard about any model. This, by the way, is serial-numbered 50411. Click on the thumbnail at right to see larger pictures - and also a couple of a Yashimaflex (not mine). |
|
.JPG)
The Yashicaflex Series
 Yashicaflex SThis is a fairly early model from 1954 and was launched as the first Japanese camera with a selenium meter, using a huge light sensor under the nameplate. This is a particularly early S model, without the Bay 1 filter mounts. |
.JPG) Yashicaflex S (later)Near-identical to the previous model S, but by the time it was made, Yashica had adopted the Bay 1 bayonet filter mount copied from Rollei. The lens is an unusual Heliotar and the shutter is an improved Copal. This lovely camera is in mint condition. |
.JPG) Yashicaflex AI'm not sure I have the model designation 100% right here, but it seems probable it was the first (A) non-exposure-metered model - it is an early and basic model, but rather rare - none of the guides shows it and you won't see one very often, although the AII (next) is more common. |
 Yashicaflex AIIAnother early camera - probably from 1954, fairly basic beside contemporary competitors, although it introduced semi-automatic film winding. Not to be confused with the Yashicaflex A2, whuch is an entirely different camera - see below. Differs from the "A" primarily in the design of the Copal shutter, with integrated synch socket. |
 Yashicaflex CRather upmarket from the A model (presumably there was also an early "B" model, but I've never seen or heard of one). The Yashikor lens was supposed to be an improvement on the Yashimar, but I suspect there's little difference, both being rebadged Tri-Lausars from Tomioka. |
 Yashicaflex A2As Yashica produced the B and C Yashicaflex models, it clearly still felt the continued need for a basic model with the basic three-element Yashimar (rebadged Tri-Lausar) lens. The updated A2 dates from 1956, with an improved Citizen-MXV shutter. |
 Yashicaflex New Model BIn 1957, Yashica launched two new model variants with auto-stop winding - the A and B. The A is simpler with a lesser Copal shutter - a 1/25 to 1/300 version. The B here has Rollei-style settings in a window above the viewing lens, set by two wheels offset between the two lenses. |
 Yashicaflex ASThis is also from around 1957, and is substantially similar to the New Model B preceding. Like the Model B, it copies the Rollei setting wheels and window. The only significant differences are the finish of the wheels, the shutter and the nameplate design. |
The Yashica Series |
Yashica RookieThe Rookie is an oddball. It is pretty much the same as the Yashica-A (see next), but has the older Yashimar lens. It almost never turns up on sale in Europe or North America, but occasionally in Japan. I can only think that it was primarily a home-market product, using the same bits as the A, and perhaps some older lenses in stock? This one is in quite nice condition. |
 .JPG)
Yashica-AAfter the Yashicaflex came the alphabetical series of basic TLRs with three-element lenses. The A was the first of the series - McKeown says in 1959, but this has to be far too late - I'd say somewhere from 1954-7. I have both grey and black models in my collection - identical other than the colour. |
 Yashica-B (grey)This is said to be the rarest Yashica. McKeown's description is muddled - I'm not sure he's ever seen one. In fact it looks like the C but uses the same shutter as the A. This is an unusual grey one. US websites indicate that they are very hard to find; the only ones I've seen have been in the UK, so maybe it wasn't sold in America for some reason? |
 Yashica-B (black)Only the colour differs from the previous one. This camera had been badly stored when I got it - everything works, but it's due for some cosmetic surgery soon. |
 Yashica-CThis looks very like the B. It has the same frontal design with unified lens surround, but it benefits from the new Copal MX shutter to improve its aperture range. It introduced semi-automatic film stop for the first time, but is otherwise a relatively unsophisticated model, still with the basic Yashikor lens. |
 Yashica-DA clear step up, reconfigured like Rollei, with aperture and speed in windows over the viewing lens, set by wheels between the lenses with a new improved shutter. Similar to contemporary Yashica-Mat. Sugiyama dates from 1958, McKeown 1958-74, which makes no sense to me - I'd guess it went out before the end of the fifties. |
 Yashica-ERadically different, fixed-speed electric-eye camera with inbuilt bulb flash under the nameplate. The meter is unreliable, and it has no manual capability. Looks nice, but it's actually fairly useless! |
 Yashica LMThis is essentially the same as the Yashica-C in most respects, although the hinge plates are as for the A. However, it has a built-in uncoupled Selenium meter with sensor under the nameplate. |
 Yashica-635Interesting derivative of the Yashica-D, which is designed in dual format - as well as 120 film, it can use 35mm in 24mmx36mm. There are extra rewind and cutout buttons on the left side. This camera was also made with a Yashinon lens at the end of the run.
|
 Yashica-AutoThis is a fascinating item, and very rare - the only one I've seen and sold to me by a trader in the US. The Yashica-Auto is clearly a short-lived precursor to the Yashica Mat, which began the whole Mat series. It is apparently derived from the Yashica-D, but is probably the first Yashica TLR to have crank-winding - belatedly catching up with the Rolleiflex. It must be amongst the last of the series to use the Yashikor lens before the general switch to the Yashinon. |
The Yashica Mat Series |
 Yashica-MatThe Mat was introduced around 1957, in similar general format to the Yashica-D, and it's not clear which exactly came first. The Mat series take the Rolleiflex route of wind lever and auto-cocking shutter.
|
 Yashica-Mat LMRelates to the basic Mat in the same way the Yashica LM does to the Yashica C. It's fitted with a built-in uncoupled Selenium meter, slotted in where the nameplate would otherwise be. (c1958/60)
|
 Yashica-Mat EMThere isn't much practical difference between this and the Mat LM, except a rather different meter layout, with needle alignment adjuster to ease the calculation. It's later though - from 1964.
|
 Yashica-24The last four cameras are all similar, with coupled CdS meter. This one was designed for 220 film only - hence the "24" (exposures) name. It's quite rare, and this one's in lovely condition.
|
 Yashica-12Near-identical to the 24, the 12 was introduced a year later (1967) to cater for 120 film. Again, it's quite rare, and this one is in very nice state - I tracked it down in Belgium.
|
 Yashica Mat-124Pretty much the same as the 12 and 24 models, but the 124 added switchable capability to handle both 120 and 220 film - hence the combined name. This one is quite sound, but needs a good clean!
|
 Yashica Mat-124GThe 124G differs from the 124 really only in minor technical detail (the "G" is for "Gold" electrical connectors). Cosmetically, most of the chrome turned to black plastic - it's very "Seventies"! (1970-86).
|