Yashica D [1958]

Picked up locally from the collection of a local layout/graphic artist who worked with many photographers in the Pittsburgh area in the 80s and 90s. This one took an impact on the rear section at some point, but it doesn’t seem to affect operation or the ability to close the door. Haven’t yet checked to see if it remains properly light tight; I’ll be looking carefully at how my first roll comes out.

My model is also missing the cover over the lens focus knob. This doesn’t affect functionality, although it does make me wonder if someone was tinkering with it.

The camera feels quite solid, and feels clearly like a predecessor of my 124G. Same film path, same door, similar controls, though no meter. Lots of chrome, where the 124G moved to a more matte black appearance. I’m not sure how much use I’ll get out of it, as I’m more likely to run to the 124G with it’s slightly brighter view finder and built in coupled meter. I definitely want to run a roll or two through this camera at some point, particularly since my 124G has occasional issue with the winder.

What’s So Special?

According to some, the best knob-wound, meterless TLR from Yashica. Of course it is a Rollei clone, with Yashica building their own advances in over time.

Personally I love the look and feel. Unsurprisingly it is quite similar to other Yashica TLRs. What I didn’t expect is that many of the actions are smoother – except shutter speed which for whatever reason is quite tight. Obviously my commentary is based only upon the models in my collection, with unknown histories or storage information. It could be they were all perfectly smooth when new!

Pros

Copal shutter MXV
Nice actuation
I like the focus on the right hand side
Quite a solid camera
Can do multiple exposures – just don’t wind the film
For my examples, pressure on the shutter is far less than on the 124G
Quite operation

Cons

Heavy
Dim viewer
No meter (or is this a pro?)
Don’t change the shutter speed after the lens is cocked
Flash sync must be in X setting before using the self timer, as with the Yashica MAT 124G
No protection against accidental double exposures
Similarly there is no protection against advancing the frame after *not* taking an exposure
On my model, the protruding foot at the bottom is quite sharp and dug some notches in a wood table; my 124G doesnt do that.

Specifications

Manufacturer: Yashica
Made in: Japan
Introduced: 1958
Camera Type: TLR
Taking lens: Yashikor 80mm f/3.5
Viewing lens: Yashikor 80mm f/3.5
Format: medium format film, 6×6 frame (12 shots/120 roll)
Battery: none
Dimensions (cm):
Weight: 950g (actual)
Serial: D7050450 (1967)
taking lens: 758317
viewing lens: 759916

Accessories

Lens cap: metal Yashica folding type, with two separate silver rings
Strap: mine came with an all leather strap… with a Nikon branded shoulder pad. I’m not sure if the pad was added, or if the entire strap was not original. It is of the slot and rivet type which I’ve seen on pretty much every Yashica I own, except the others are all plastic and this one is stitched leather.
Case: leather, everready type – mine did not come with one
Suggested Flashes: requires manual flash with wired sync cable
Other: bay (3?) compatible wide and tele lens attachments
Remote release: screw over type