Yashica 635: Still my favourite TLR

[@Caballeroshot]

What a lovely story about such a special camera. Truly enjoyed the video and that you weren't held back from tearing it apart to clean it, I do that with every camera I buy. ✌🏽

[@NatalieRosellaBoonzaier]

@@Caballeroshot I’m glad that you enjoyed the story. It is a special camera. Do you have a Yashica 635 as well?

[@Caballeroshot]

@@NatalieRosellaBoonzaier I actually do not but I received a Yashica D for free with some gear I purchased and did the same as you tearing it apart to clean it and give it a new life.

[@NatalieRosellaBoonzaier]

@ lovely :)

[@Aura-Bravo]

Not me crying over the seller's story and her request 🥺

[@NatalieRosellaBoonzaier]

@@Aura-Bravo 🥹 she had even told me when I met her to buy this camera that another buyer had offered her triple for the Yashica 635 to sell at his camera shop. But she wanted it to go to a photographer that would use it ❤️‍🩹 so she sold it to me for less.

[@jedt3d]

I am going to get one of this soon. Your video help me a lot to make a decision I am going to. ❤

[@NatalieRosellaBoonzaier]

@@jedt3d that’s great! Did you get yours yet?

[@jedt3d]

@ will com by this xmas. 2nd hand but seems to be in a good condition. 6500THB along with Sekonic 308. Around $190 👍

[@NatalieRosellaBoonzaier]

@ that’s great!

[@gordonwill6885]

At last! I thought exactly that about the font on some yashicas! I'm not alone!!

[@NatalieRosellaBoonzaier]

Haha! It's such an odd font for a camera from Japan :) I'm sure we are not alone!

[@curleyfries11]

Awesome video. I found a 635 at a local antique shop in mint condition. I absolutely love it! Such a fun camera to use.

[@NatalieRosellaBoonzaier]

Lovely! Do you search through antique shops a lot for cameras? Or was it a one-time thing?

[@阴险肝]

Nice video!!!

[@NatalieRosellaBoonzaier]

Thanks!

[@JenniferM13]

My favs are Rolleiflex cameras, I have three of them and they are just a joy to use and always inspire me to take pick them up and use them. So I definitely understand why you love TLRs. I've been using TLRs for over ten years now and the square format, which I initially found challenging, has since become the way I often 'see' a scene. The Carl Zeiss lenses are my favourites too, there's just something about them. The lenses are my Mamiya cameras are technically brilliant, but I just prefer the way the Zeiss lenses render the world.

[@NatalieRosellaBoonzaier]

With my limited experience, I feel the same about the Carl Zeiss lenses - even my damaged one on my IKOFLEX produces gorgeous and interesting results.

[@souvikkarmakar4059]

I've been trying to figure out my TLR and been searching for videos on KZbin for quite some time now. I don't know how I did not find your channel sooner. This video was all I needed before starting to shoot. I like your photos, script, voice and the way you have cramped so much information in the video.

[@NatalieRosellaBoonzaier]

I'm so glad you found the video helpful!

[@djtoman6875]

Beautifully made and narrated video. Your sample images are very evocative. I have a Rolleiflex from my grandfather, who collected and didn't use it. But I actually enjoy using my Yashica Mat 124G even more. It was my first TLR, so maybe I am sentimental. The Mamiya C330 is also fabulous, although a bit heavy and bulky.

[@NatalieRosellaBoonzaier]

I've read good things about the Yashica Mat 124G. I don't know why, but I don't find myself drawn to the Mamiya C330. I suspect it's the heavy and bulkiness you just mentioned. If I were to find one at a market though, I would totally indulge :) Have you shot some rolls through your grandfather's Rolleiflex?

[@richardwest217]

I was lucky enough to acquire a mint condition example of this camera, complete with 35mm adapter and close-up lenses. I love using the camera and it's often a conversation starter. Don't forget to pull the 35mm rewind button out when using 120 film or you get a little shadow on the bottom right of the picture.

[@NatalieRosellaBoonzaier]

Oh! I had never pulled the little 35mm button out. I will inspect my photos closely to see if I can see the shadow. If there is one, it's faint enough that I have never even noticed it. Thank you for the advice :) Do you ever use the 35mm adapter?

[@richardwest217]

@@NatalieRosellaBoonzaier Maybe not all versions of the 635 show the shadow. I have seen it on other peoples pictures so it's not just me. Re the 35mm adapter, I have used it for one roll of film and I got good results however I'm not a great fan of portrait orientation so I'll stick to one of my many Pentax SLRs for 35mm.

[@NatalieRosellaBoonzaier]

@@richardwest217 fair enough! I’d barely considered that it will be portrait orientation - will be interesting. PS - I checked and can’t see a shadow (I wonder if maybe my button was already sticking out without me noticing- maybe that’s why I don’t see a shadow). I will be sure to take your advice when I put 120 film back in.

[@JasperLawan]

them textures ✨✨

[@NatalieRosellaBoonzaier]

Thanks :) I hope you enjoyed the vid!

[@henryschroer]

A wonderful and very thoughtful video! Regarding your question on plans re TLR, not yet. I got rrecently a Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 521/2 from 1938, which I call my dad's camera (because he had the same). And I agree with your assessment, medium format brings back a lot of joy, its relaxing and results in b&w are stunning. Keep up the good work, your channel is an inspiration

[@NatalieRosellaBoonzaier]

Thank you, Henry. Your Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 521/2 I'd assume is somewhat similar to my Ensign Selfix 420 :) I'm so glad you enjoyed the video and my channel. I will see you here again soon, I hope. Have a lovely week :)

[@henryschroer]

@@NatalieRosellaBoonzaier Thanks! curious how it goes with your Zeiss Ikoflex, Nettar, and Contina 🙂

[@NatalieRosellaBoonzaier]

@@henryschroer the brief update is that they are all producing lovely photos, with the exception of the Contina (it’s currently in Cape Town and I’m not sure I have the skills to fix that one- looking forward to giving it a go!).

[@NatalieRosellaBoonzaier]

Do you shoot with a TLR? Or do you plan to?

[@kameranpuster]

Natalie great video as always! I always learn so many new tricks. Haven't gotten to shoot with TLR but plan on it in the cold months of winter.📸

[@NatalieRosellaBoonzaier]

@@kameranpuster lovely! Let me know when you eventually find a TLR. Would be interesting to know what you decide on :)

[@kameranpuster]

@@NatalieRosellaBoonzaier Certainly will keep you updated.📸

[@jackthompson8377]

TLRs are the real sleepers of film photography. Very high image quality. We have 3 Yashica and 1 Rolleicord. The ‘Cord is especially compact and light.

[@NatalieRosellaBoonzaier]

@@jackthompson8377 what do you mean by ‘real sleepers’? Do you mean they encourage you to slow down?

[@dzemski]

mine too :)

[@NatalieRosellaBoonzaier]

@@dzemski it’s just so well thought out! All the buttons and knobs make sense at their locations.

I have this camera with the 35mm adapter

[@NatalieRosellaBoonzaier]

Cool! :)

[@Wisconsin.pikachu]

Have you ever flocked the inside of a yashica? I was thinking of getting some musou black flocking sheet to cut internal reflections

[@NatalieRosellaBoonzaier]

No, I haven't felt the need to Flock my Yashica. I have flocked another camera. I don't think I will Flock any of my TLRs because they seem to perform fine as they are. Best of luck if you decide to flock yours - and keep me posted!

[@aristoioannidis7490]

The Yashica 635 was a war (Vietnam) correspondent's camera of choice. Image and build quality is outstanding. Kudos Natalie.

[@NatalieRosellaBoonzaier]

How did I not find this fact when researching for this video? That is an interesting detail about the Yashica 635. Thank you for sharing it!

[@arte100desastre]

I have a Yashica TLR 12 Copal SV inherited from my father. Too bad I don't know how to use it

[@darrenkirana]

is 80 pounds in good condition a reasonable price for this camera?

[@NatalieRosellaBoonzaier]

@@darrenkirana if it is in working condition with clean optics, and if you plan to make use of it, then I’d say yes. I’m saying Yes based on what I have seen online in the past. If you end up getting it I hope you enjoy shooting with it!