Yashica J

Yashica J image by John F Richardson (Image rights)

Introduction[]

The Yashica J is a 1961 rangefinder camera. It has a high quality lens and a rather limited set of shutter speeds. At the time of release, it was probably considered a budget model, since the better equipped Yashica Lynx 1000 and Yashica Minister series were being marketed at approximately the same time. Confusingly, the Yashica Penta J SLR and its successors are often referred to as the Yashica J line.

Specifications[]

Two sets of framelines are visible in the viewfinder, one set for infinity focus and the other one for closer focus. There's no automatic parallax correction as on the later Yashica Electro 35 series. The rangefinder is coupled to the focusing ring. This ring has a small lever to make focusing more comfortable.

The lens is a fixed 45mm F/2.8 Yashinon with apertures from 2.8 to 16. The minimal focusing distance is 1 meter. There a framecounter around the advance lever, counting up from 1 to 36. On the back a small screw permits adjustment of the rangefinder without opening the body. The Yashica J has a rewind crank which will not open the back door; opening the camera is achieved by moving and depressing a small button on the bottom plate.

Variations[]

There are at least two variants of this well-known camera: one with the J logo in a black frame with a black lens barrel, as shown in the pictures, and another with a metal colored frame and lens barrel.

The Yashica Campus is similar to the J, but with shutter speeds 1/500 down to 1s