Episode 1: Yashica D (Review and Sample Photos)

[@drewh79]

"3 feet if you're american... or old" I laughed so hard

[@h78j.2]

That smile at 3:10! I agree, it is a lovely sound.

[@positivelynegative7753]

You can't help but smile when you hold these old beauties!

[@danielkbarton]

Us older folks like these cameras too. 😊 Just came into a lot of 120 film so I'm getting back into learning and using this camera again. Good video, looking forward to your other videos. Thanks.

[@positivelynegative7753]

Of course! And thank you. It really is a lovely camera. New videos coming soon. Happy shooting!

[@robhowarth77]

My D is an early 1958 model and has a f3.5 viewing lens and Yashicor taking lens . I actually love square format for compositional purposes . The camera is very capable of delivering professional quality pics and I use it quite often. Also have a Mamiya C330 Pro and although heavy, it is probably my favourite camera for what I call "critical shots " . In terms of 35mm , I have 3 Pentax cameras , which I really trust and enjoy.

[@positivelynegative7753]

I really dig the square format as well. I use my Mamiyaflex for the same reason!

[@darryld9719]

Also the D along with the 635 are the top of the line of the Knob wind series for Yashica.....

[@positivelynegative7753]

I've never seen a 635 in the wild before! But that's good to know if I ever come across one!

[@darryld9719]

Yashinon lens came later and has the Tessar type 4 element opposed to the yashikor 3 element.....I have 6 Yashica TLRs and the D is on my list but I only want the yashinon.....great camera bud and great review!.....thanks

[@positivelynegative7753]

Interesting! Thank you for the comment. I still think the D is great value for money, considering how popular (and expensive) the Yashicamats are becoming.

[@certs743]

I just found your channel. Great video and a great camera. My favorite TLR is the Yashica 635 which is pretty much just a Yaschica D modified to use both 120 and 35mm film. They simply added a second frame counter for the 35mm film and made an adapter for the camera. I have 2 of them with the adapter for 35mm and the fairly rare wide angle and portrait add on lenses made for it. I have also owned a Rolleicord and I still have the Yashica and sold the Rollei. I would say they are about equivalent but the 635 variant in particular is much more flexible.

[@positivelynegative7753]

Interesting! I've never come across a Yashica 635 before but it sounds like a very cool camera! I think I have some Googling to do!

[@donaldlampert331]

Nice review. I’ve had a Yashica D for a few years, but just loaded it up to try out. Thank you

[@positivelynegative7753]

Thanks! Cool! Good luck! I hope your pictures come out well.

[@Daphnea65]

Excellent review. I just bought a Yashica-D. I owe a Rolleiflex, but am still too "scared" to use it. I think the Yashica-D will be a nice introduction to TLR/medium size format photography. Thanks a lot for your review.

[@anzaeria]

I have a Yashica D with Yashinon lenses as well. That's a beautiful portrait at the end.

[@edwardsblake3630]

Beautiful images!

[@positivelynegative7753]

Thanks so much!

[@alangauld6079]

I have an early Yashica-D with the f3.5 viewing screen and much smaller adjustment dials. Nice review. One gotcha worth mentioning is that there is no protection against double exposures so you have to be disciplined and always wind the film on after a shot (Or always wait till just before a shot but that risks an accidental press of the shutter spoiling the last one!). Otherwise you will mess it up at some point! Also the filters are bayonet fit so not that easy to find.

[@positivelynegative7753]

That's a very good point! I have definitely made some accidental double exposures before and they never look as good as the ones I see online!

[@bobcole612]

I have a D I bought in Amarillo Texas in 1980. I paid $10 for it, it's a little banged up, but still shoots great.

[@positivelynegative7753]

They feel so solid. I'm sure it'll keep going for another 40 years.

[@Bean-pq2su]

I got one of these from my moms old friend and I found it so interesting because it looks so nice and how it works I want to have a picture shoot with it for my mom and her friends

[@positivelynegative7753]

Awesome! Happy shooting!

[@ihak707]

The yashinon lenses are the later versions of the Yashica D, and the f2.8 viewing lens you have is rather rare and sought after. So if you ever decide to sell this camera, make sure to emphasize the f2.8 viewing lens :)

[@positivelynegative7753]

Is that so? Very interesting! Thank you for sharing!

[@DanRegueira]

I'm stuck between getting a cheaper TLR like this one or a Bronica ETRS as my first foray into medium format. Suppose waiting for the best deal on ebay is the way to go but I'm indecisive. Thanks for the video! Subbed!

[@positivelynegative7753]

Hi Daniel. Thanks so much! Honestly, you can't really go wrong with either. I've wanted a Bronica for ages mainly because of Steve O' Nions' videos. They look like great cameras for the money. I've never shot 645 before but I've always thought it must be nice to get the extra few shots out of a 120 film roll. I just really like the square format of 6x6. I would say, look out for the best deal and that condition is the most important thing.

[@randallstewart175]

That comparison is the classic apples v. oranges. The Yashica TLR is a fixed lens camera. The lens, if the three element version cannot make a sharp 8x10 inch print unless you close the aperture to 5.6 or smaller. The 4 element version is better, but not greatly so. The Bronica lens line is some of the best made, The Bronica is modular and can be configured with chosen parts and accessories to fit your own needs. The Yashica TLR, this model D, is worth about $100, but may cost over $200 depending on where you shop. The Bronica has been quite low priced, but would still cost significantly more to equip a basic camera version. A mistake many make, including me, is to start MF buying the lesser, cheaper camera, thinking that you have less at risk if you decide you don't like MF. I think that is a mistake, because you end up buying equipment which does not give you the full MF experience, or as here, a TLR so cheaply made that you fail to experience true MF quality. You then buy the better camera you should have chosen and have the hassle of unloading the first purchase to recover your investment in it.

[@aspookyfox]

ETRS is awesome because it is modular. Infinitely upgradable

[@mitchellhughes5180]

Good video. I've been wanting to get the 124G but I think I might get this instead.

[@positivelynegative7753]

Thanks! I don't think you can go wrong with either one - but I think you might get a better deal on a D!

[@mitchellhughes5180]

@@positivelynegative7753 Exactly!

[@randallstewart1224]

The Yashikor is a three element lens. more or less in the style of the Zeiss Novar. It was phased out around 1960 or so in favor of the Yashinon, which is a four element lens, from the family of Tessar copies popular with Japanese TLRs from the early 60s to the late 1970s. The Yashinon is better corrected for image aberrations, like spherical distortion, but among the family of Tessar copies, like it probably the poorest imaging lens of the type. It was the only lens used in Yashicamats from the beginning to their end in 1986.

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Hey Wesley, welcome to KZbin! You're off to a cracking start. A quick question for you. I recently bought the Yashica D and shot my first roll of 120 with it (though I'm old enough that I grew up shooting 35mm film). The photos came back washed out and lacking much contrast. I used my DSLR's light meter to get the correct exposure, but I suspect I overexposed the film somehow anyways. Do you have and use a handheld light meter to get your correct exposure? Just trying to figure out how to get good looking negatives without having to make drastic contrast adjustments in Lightroom. Thanks!

[@positivelynegative7753]

Hi Steve. Thanks so much. That's interesting. Was it colour negative film, slide film or black and white negative? In my experience of shooting with negative films, I've found that under-exposure leads to washed out images. With negative film, I always shoot at least one stop over exposed - I meter my Tri-X 400 at 200 ISO, for example. That extra stop of light does wonders for the contrast and the density of the negative. You could even go two stops over. Slide film is far less forgiving, though, which is why I largely avoid it! That being said, it could also be a problem with the developing or even the scanning - some places will deliberately scan negatives "flat" to give you the most flexibility in Lightroom. I use a free Android app. I think it's just called LightMeter. The interface looks like an old fashioned handheld meter and I've found it to work perfectly well. I hope your next roll comes out better!

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

@@positivelynegative7753 Thanks for the great reply Wesley. I don't expect a reply to this but since you asked... ;0) I shot HP5plus 400, so it was black and white negative film. I started looking closely at whether it might have been a problem with a light leak and so looked at the seal and what I found really surprised me. There is a thread of black wool that rings the edge of the cover and it didn't look too good, so I replaced it with new wool. I also noticed that the edge of the cover was slightly bent outward at the edge which could cause light to leak, so I carefully bent it back to make a good seal again. I did install the light meter app you mention and will take your advice to overexpose by a stop, so hopefully, that'll solve the problem. Again, thank you for taking the time to help out an amateur clicker like myself. Cheers!!!

[@positivelynegative7753]

@@SteveAtkinsonFineArt Ah, I see. I hope that light leak fix does the trick. I once read that Rolleiflexes are built to such a high standard that they don't need light seals - the metal parts just fit snuggly together. Maybe that's just urban legend but it might explain the jump in price! Good luck!

[@jacovanlith5082]

It is up to you to find the difference in quality of the lenses of the Rollei, Yashica, Mamiya, Minolta and Fodorflex. I bet a few people can see the difference of the quality of the prints. And a miracle will happen when low speed film is used, the camera is on a tripod, and there is a cable release. Plus a well developed film. Some lens types: Tessar, Planar and Xenotar Yasikor and Yashinon Sekor Rokkor

[@silvestersze9968]

What do you think of the Yashica Mat 124G compare to the ‘D’?

[@devispesaresi9069]

Yashica d have remote cable?

[@tplyons5459]

My first medium format roll film camera was the D. I got it in 1960 but the shutter died in 1962 or I would have taken it into the Air Force with me. No biggie, I got a Mamiya C-3 in Nam. This year I found another D on eBay end even though I usually shoot with a 645Z or D850 I'm guanna have some fun.

[@positivelynegative7753]

Cool! Thanks for this comment. I have a Mamiyaflex C2 - but I didn't get it in Nam. Happy shooting!

[@victorcardoso656]

I also have a Yashica D, and I don't like to apply the rule of thirds, I don't think it looks very cool. I like to center the highlights, or divide in half, but not horizontally or 45º, I always stay in the middle.

[@positivelynegative7753]

The square format does seem to favour symmetry.

[@jacovanlith5082]

I just bought a Mamiya C220 plus 55mm, 80 mm, 135 mm and 250 mm lenses at the biggest photoshop of Europe. The body and lenses had their CLA. The shutter of the 55 does not fire. The rest of the lenses have rotten apertures. What to do ......?

[@positivelynegative7753]

That's a pity. I hope it can be fixed - and not for a fortune!

[@neilpiper9889]

Yashica D has the focus knob on the 'wrong' side if you are used to a Yashica Mat,.

[@positivelynegative7753]

Interesting! My Mamiyaflex fixes that issue by having a focusing knob on each side!

[@pieterdegelder6563]

how did you get your pictures so sharp? just got mine pictures back from the lab and they are unsharp.

[@positivelynegative7753]

It's just practice, I think. I've also missed focus on many shots. Try and use a smaller aperture, like f11 or f16 for added depth of field. If that still doesn't work, it may be possible that your lenses are out of alignment and may need to be serviced. I think that last option is pretty unlikely, though.

[@ElMikey225th]

Great video man ! Hey , is your viewfinder really dim indoors ? I just picked up a Yashica D and it’s very hard to see through the finder . But I have the 3.5 not the 2.8

[@positivelynegative7753]

Thanks so much! Mine's pretty bright, actually. I think your 3.5 might be the reason. Are your lenses clean? No haze or fungus blocking some of the light?

[@ElMikey225th]

@@positivelynegative7753 yes , I think I have some in the viewing lens . In the taking lens everything looks pretty normal . What do you suggest I do ?

[@positivelynegative7753]

@@ElMikey225th If the taking lens is clear, the photos themselves should be fine. If the haze doesn't affect the useability too much, just leave it. Otherwise, you could always get it serviced professionally but it could cost you a bit of money.

[@ElMikey225th]

@@positivelynegative7753 I just put it in bulb mode and looked through the lens from the back and noticed some dust but I don’t think it has any haze . So it should be fine . Can’t wait to run a roll of film through it . Thanks a lot for replying back .

[@positivelynegative7753]

@@ElMikey225th Awesome! A few specks of dust shouldn't be an issue. Happy shooting!

[@carlinifoto]

The Yashica D is more in line with a Rolleicord, The Yashica-Mat was designed more after the Rolleiflex...

[@positivelynegative7753]

You're absolutely right.

[@ajthealchemist]

Bruuuu another lekker video! I love it! Been binging a couple of your vids, I'm excited to see more. I think you might have an SV still if I remember correctly, so maybe do a video on the legendary Spotmatic too? I have a couple of homies here in CPT who are all very interested in film so I'm going to spread the Postively Negative word🤙🏼 Local is lekker bru🔥 oh I see you've got a beard going on as well, maybe check out one or two of my beard vids😂 film has been keeping me from my next YT vid this past month but you've inspired my creative juices again after watching your content. If you have an IG, drop it here, let's get you some more exposure coz your channel is super underrated bru. Apologies for the long message. Have a good one.

[@positivelynegative7753]

Thanks so much for this awesome comment! I'd love to try the Spotmatic. If I can find one for a good price, I'll definitely pick one up. My Instagram is @positivelynegative - feel free to share it far and wide! Good luck with your content and thank you again for taking the time to write this awesome message!

[@nic_viper_153]

Hello where in SA are you based

[@positivelynegative7753]

It's a secret! Kidding. Watch my other videos and you'll see. ;)

[@FactorChill]

I'm from Somerset West, South Africa and got one for sale

[@larryfromwisconsin9970]

Thanks. If a 50 year old camera has a light meter it probably doesn't work or worse, works incorrectly.

[@soundstreamrecords6138]

Can you compare the Yashica D and the Mamiyaflex C2? That’s the cross roads I am at

[@positivelynegative7753]

Good idea for a video, thanks! Offhand, I would say they are actually quite different. The Yashica is much smaller and has a fixed 80mm lens. It's very nice to carry around and the lens is lovely. Its big drawback for me is the inability to focus close, so tight portraits are impossible. The Mamiyaflex is much, much bigger and heavier. Its big strength is the built-in bellows, which allows close focusing. Also, the ability to change lenses is very nice. However, I would say that the Mamiya is more suited to slower, tripod work than the Yashica. I mean, you can hand-hold the Mamiya and carry it around but I find it quite tricky due to its size and weight. The Mamiya is also more of a system camera, with the ability to buy grips and prism finders and that sort of stuff, if that's something you're looking for. So, in summary: Yashica - small, well-built, great lens, fun to use, but has some limitations. Mamiya - Big, heavy, versatile, and more suited to slower, tripod work. I hope that helps.

[@paullacotta5645]

Those are beautiful photos you shot...who cares about the camera?😂

[@positivelynegative7753]

Thank you! I guess the camera doesn't really matter. But we still like talking about them!

[@suryazamronny]

i have one at home, wanna sale

[@fbowie21]

did you have to put that jab about being really old