Since you asked: "X" is short for Xenon which was (is?) used in the tubes of electronic flashes, "M" stands for medium time and is used for flash bulbs, flashes using bulbs need to fire before the shutter is fully open so the bulb has time to ignite fully. "V" comes from German Vorlaufwerk meaning delayed action mechanism. German technology was held in high regard in Japan and the "V" for self timer was known by photgraphers of that time from Compur and Prontor shutters, it was just an agreed abbrevation coming from a German word no one understood in the not German speaking world. Thanks for an excellent video again, I really enjoyed it. The font always reminded me on those "WANTED" posters in Western movies. Happy New Year from Austria (Europe)
My Yashica D was my intro to medium format just over 20 years ago. I shot the hell out of that camera. It was my carry-everywhere camera for a stretch of time and I had 8x8" prints made of everything I shot. I've often thought the same thing you emphasised: it's so small and light. There are plenty of 35mm cameras that are bulkier. Saying that, it has one Achilles heel: the viewfinder is dark AF. Getting proper focus was always a big challenge at bigger apertures. My Mamiyas are night and day easier to focus. But you can't argue with the price and compactness. The Yashica D also has no cable release thread or self-timer so it was always a little tricky to avoid camera shake on the tripod at that dangerous range of like 1/2 - 1/15 sec. And yeah. Super easy to load. Easy to operate. The D has a separate wind on, shutter cock system, so naturally you have to be a bit disciplined to avoid double exposures compared to cameras that cock the shutter on wind on. The D doesn't have a meter but I also wouldn't use an averaging meter. Centre-weighted meters are reliable 90% of the time but a meter that just reads an average of anything in front of the camera is going to have you waist film.
Recently I repaired two lightmeters of separate Yashica 44LM cameras with the same lightmeter. The cells were fine, I needed to resolder the contact wires. This is often the case with Selenium cell lightmeters. The lightmeter is easy to dismount and open, does not need removal of leatherette.
The 44LM was my first medium format camera. Picked it up at a camera swap meet in the late '70s for $50. Film selection was very poor - Kodak made a B&W film (Plus X) a color negative film (Kodacolor 200), and Ektachrome 64. I was never a fan of Ektachrome, but it allowed me to shoot "superslides) which were mounted in cardboard mounts that could be shown in a 35mm slide projector, giving a high impact image when mixed in a slide show with conventional 35mm slides,. Kodak dropped support for the 127 format back in the 80s, so mine's on the shelf, next to it's big brother, the Yashicamat 124G.
I managed to find a YM in good shape for $89, but the shutter wasn't firing so I sent it to Mark Hama to have it CLAed. So in reality, the YM was about $300 if you include the CLA. I think you'll only score a YM for under $100 if it's in really rough shape and/or needs repairs.
Wonderful cameras - I have a Yashica D and a II-A that are wonderful and reliable little cameras! I have the advantage of being in Salem, where it doesn’t get xdark until 2:19 pm, but I get by due to only drinking 14 cups of coffee per day, keeping the tremors to a minimum! Also, being 6’5”, the waist level shooting position keeps it from appearing that I’m using a drone! Looking forward to your postings next year! 🙂😘
TLRs are so awesome. Fun to use and usually have great lenses. My first was a Yashica Mat 124G, which I foolishly sold. I bought another in perfect mint condition as a gift to my assistant and rather wish I'd kept it for myself. Recently I bought another one for myself in good cosmetic condition, but it needs a repair and I sadly don't know any competent technicians to send it to.
The first real camera I bought was a Yashica-A. There is just something about square and waist-level. I have two Yashica-Ds, a couple Rollei 3.5 Automats and an Ikonoflex. I need to spend more time with them.
For under $100?!? is what I thought when I saw it was a Yashica. I'll check out your "just got" video to see if you were scouring Japanese nursing homes or bidding $99.99 on every ebay listing for months. But I know what you mean about those TLRs, just got a ($130) Ricohflex Dia and now am scouring ebay for 120 film deals.
Since you asked: "X" is short for Xenon which was (is?) used in the tubes of electronic flashes, "M" stands for medium time and is used for flash bulbs, flashes using bulbs need to fire before the shutter is fully open so the bulb has time to ignite fully. "V" comes from German Vorlaufwerk meaning delayed action mechanism. German technology was held in high regard in Japan and the "V" for self timer was known by photgraphers of that time from Compur and Prontor shutters, it was just an agreed abbrevation coming from a German word no one understood in the not German speaking world.
Thanks for an excellent video again, I really enjoyed it. The font always reminded me on those "WANTED" posters in Western movies.
Happy New Year from Austria (Europe)
My Yashica D was my intro to medium format just over 20 years ago. I shot the hell out of that camera. It was my carry-everywhere camera for a stretch of time and I had 8x8" prints made of everything I shot. I've often thought the same thing you emphasised: it's so small and light. There are plenty of 35mm cameras that are bulkier.
Saying that, it has one Achilles heel: the viewfinder is dark AF. Getting proper focus was always a big challenge at bigger apertures. My Mamiyas are night and day easier to focus. But you can't argue with the price and compactness. The Yashica D also has no cable release thread or self-timer so it was always a little tricky to avoid camera shake on the tripod at that dangerous range of like 1/2 - 1/15 sec.
And yeah. Super easy to load. Easy to operate. The D has a separate wind on, shutter cock system, so naturally you have to be a bit disciplined to avoid double exposures compared to cameras that cock the shutter on wind on. The D doesn't have a meter but I also wouldn't use an averaging meter. Centre-weighted meters are reliable 90% of the time but a meter that just reads an average of anything in front of the camera is going to have you waist film.
Recently I repaired two lightmeters of separate Yashica 44LM cameras with the same lightmeter. The cells were fine, I needed to resolder the contact wires. This is often the case with Selenium cell lightmeters. The lightmeter is easy to dismount and open, does not need removal of leatherette.
The 44LM was my first medium format camera. Picked it up at a camera swap meet in the late '70s for $50. Film selection was very poor - Kodak made a B&W film (Plus X) a color negative film (Kodacolor 200), and Ektachrome 64. I was never a fan of Ektachrome, but it allowed me to shoot "superslides) which were mounted in cardboard mounts that could be shown in a 35mm slide projector, giving a high impact image when mixed in a slide show with conventional 35mm slides,. Kodak dropped support for the 127 format back in the 80s, so mine's on the shelf, next to it's big brother, the Yashicamat 124G.
I put new leatherette on a Rolleiflex 3.5a, getting the old leatherette off is easy, it’s the adhesive that’s a pain.
I managed to find a YM in good shape for $89, but the shutter wasn't firing so I sent it to Mark Hama to have it CLAed. So in reality, the YM was about $300 if you include the CLA. I think you'll only score a YM for under $100 if it's in really rough shape and/or needs repairs.
Wonderful cameras - I have a Yashica D and a II-A that are wonderful and reliable little cameras! I have the advantage of being in Salem, where it doesn’t get xdark until 2:19 pm, but I get by due to only drinking 14 cups of coffee per day, keeping the tremors to a minimum! Also, being 6’5”, the waist level shooting position keeps it from appearing that I’m using a drone!
Looking forward to your postings next year! 🙂😘
What park are you shooting from? Looks vaguely familiar.
Thanks
TLRs are so awesome. Fun to use and usually have great lenses. My first was a Yashica Mat 124G, which I foolishly sold. I bought another in perfect mint condition as a gift to my assistant and rather wish I'd kept it for myself. Recently I bought another one for myself in good cosmetic condition, but it needs a repair and I sadly don't know any competent technicians to send it to.
Nice look at the LM. I’m a fan of the Yashica TLRs.. almost all of them (and that’s alot).
The first real camera I bought was a Yashica-A. There is just something about square and waist-level. I have two Yashica-Ds, a couple Rollei 3.5 Automats and an Ikonoflex. I need to spend more time with them.
For under $100?!? is what I thought when I saw it was a Yashica. I'll check out your "just got" video to see if you were scouring Japanese nursing homes or bidding $99.99 on every ebay listing for months. But I know what you mean about those TLRs, just got a ($130) Ricohflex Dia and now am scouring ebay for 120 film deals.
High Noon
Wear the strap