Yashica J

[sbazli]

Just acquired a Yashica J, and this is my first time handling a rangefinder. The camera haven't been CLA'd as I wanted to see how the output is from the first roll of film.
Some photos turn out ok, some with white band and some with mysterious red band in the center of the frame.
Can anyone figure out what is causing them?(major light leaks/faulty shutter probably?)

#1. Red band in the center of the frame.
000009.jpg

#2 White band on the right side of the frame
000011.jpg

#3 White and red bands together.
000017.jpg

#4 White band on the left side of the frame
000013.jpg

#5 This one turns out ok
000004.jpg

They were all from the same roll of Fuji Superia 400.
Your advice is very much appreciated, thank you

[Ralverd]

Looks like light leak from a faulty shutter.

Regards, Ralverd

[weitatt]

The Yashica J is a great camera, If it's like my Yashica Minister D it should be a leaf shutter. If so the light leak does not look like it's from the shutter. Hopefully you can solve the problem with some new light seals especially around the back hinge.

Your lens also looks like it needs cleaning, these old Yashica lenses should be super sharp and bright. Restored this would be a truly enjoyable classic camera.

MinisterD.jpg
My Yashica Minister D which I carry around everywhere, older version of the "J""

[finder]

Just sold my Minister D

[sbazli]

Thanks guys. Wow superb condition of the Minister!! My wife's late grandfather has a Yashica Minister(which model I'm not sure) and a Pentax ME-F, tucked under the bed(I just found out, what a surprise!) covered in mold. Will send for CLA.

By the way, I had just sent the Yashica J for CLA at an often-cited camera repair shop in Mutiara Complex, Jalan Ipoh(hint hint). Quoted price is RM180.00. Is that a reasonable price? Where do you guys send your classic cameras for repair/service?

Cheers!

[weitatt]

The price of CLA is really dependent on what is done. Typically for an old rangefinder the following will need attention:-

1. Checking and changing light seals
2. Lubrication of film advance and shutter cocking mechanism
3. Cleaning of lens elements from dust & fungus (not all fungus conditions can be repaired)
4. Checking to ensure that the light meter works (e.g. corroded battery compartment)
5. Lubricating lens focus ring
6. Ensure that shutter is not sticking and testing all shutter speeds
7. Ensure that aperture blades not sticking
8. Cleaning rangefinder viewfinder, mirror & focusing glass.
9. Make sure that the flash sync cable is still correctly soldered and making contact
10. Check film advance counter.

[sbazli]

The price of CLA is really dependent on what is done. Typically for an old rangefinder the following will need attention:-

1. Checking and changing light seals
2. Lubrication of film advance and shutter cocking mechanism
3. Cleaning of lens elements from dust & fungus (not all fungus conditions can be repaired)
4. Checking to ensure that the light meter works (e.g. corroded battery compartment)
5. Lubricating lens focus ring
6. Ensure that shutter is not sticking and testing all shutter speeds
7. Ensure that aperture blades not sticking
8. Cleaning rangefinder viewfinder, mirror & focusing glass.
9. Make sure that the flash sync cable is still correctly soldered and making contact
10. Check film advance counter.

Thanks for the info. One thing about the J though, is that it has no built-in light meter!

[weitatt]

Here are some photos from the Yashica J. The lens is superb.

yashica-J1.jpg

yashica-J2.jpg

[sbazli]

Superb images! How do you meter the exposure with the J?

[chinks]

Definitely back door. The longer the area of film stayed near the slit of light, the whiter the streak.

[sbazli]

Definitely back door. The longer the area of film stayed near the slit of light, the whiter the streak.

Yea I agree. But red band?

[weitatt]

Superb images! How do you meter the exposure with the J?

Thanks

Sunny 16 rule. base exposure on 1/125 and transpose from there.
sunny-16-rule1.jpg

If it is complicated lighting or if absolutely have to get it right. I use my DSLR and check my histograms.

[sbazli]

Thanks

Sunny 16 rule. base exposure on 1/125 and transpose from there.
sunny-16-rule1.jpg

If it is complicated lighting or if absolutely have to get it right. I use my DSLR and check my histograms.

Yup you can never go wrong with that.

[weitatt]

Here's a picture of the Yashica-J.
The light leak is definitely from the hinge, I checked my Yashica-J and it has a felt backing just before the hinge on the back cover. Easy fix.
One of the big pluses with a Yashica-J is that the rangefinder patch is very bright and easy to see.

Yashica-J3.jpg

[finder]

got one unit at Mudah http://www.mudah.my/Yashica+J+vintag...1-14434158.htm

[sbazli]

Ahah! Just realised why some of my photos turned out ok but some with light leaks.
The ones that turned out ok were taken with the camera in the original Yashica holster, effectively covering the back part of the camera.