More homage to the Yashinon 45mm f.17

[Avotius]

Every time I use my wee Yashica GSN and get the results back I think...."why do we buy anything else?"

The answer to that is simple for some and not for others. For me it was the viewfinder. Im sure I could get mine cleaned somehow but it just never was bright enough, although I was able to use it in some very demanding situations. For others its everything from size (not the smallest rangefinder for sure) to lack of bragging rights. Somehow 13 dollar camera (what I paid for mine) doesn't seem something that you can boast about unless the person you are showing off to is a fellow super geek.

But anyway, I love this camera for its discrete clicking shutter, the lack of movement when those thin metal leafs spring into action. I love the light meter, its absolutely fabulous, in dozens of rolls of film I think I have no more then 3 shots that were off, situations that would make my Canon 20D cry like a baby are simple for this little masterpiece. But the main reason I love this camera is that its lens is just top notch for my style of shooting. Its got character, its got sharpness, its got smooth gradients, great out of focus qualities, its fast, and best of all, its a normal. A hair wider then a 50, and thats just great. The metal on the barrel, the double focus nubs, the confident aperture ring...its all a tactile experience that make it just that much better. If I could have this lens in M mount I would sell my Zeiss Planar on the spot. For me this lens is just the business.

And now that I have gushed about the lens so much, how about a few pictures recently developed by yours truly. Ilford HP5 in LC29 1:29.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2300/2073600278_244357564a_o.jpg

The alley way I took this photo in had the perfect lighting, the sun was situated in just a way that it didn't illuminate the wall but did cast a glow on the person sitting in the middle of it. She just looked at me on that hot day with barely a response as I snapped a few shots and walked on.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2222/2073600090_713fd464f5_o.jpg

Old guys wasting away the hot Chongqing days playing cards in a little tea shop. Hard to imagine some of these practices lasting much longer and younger generations have found new alternative entertainments.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2209/2073600272_333d9898f3_o.jpg

A couple of boys cooling off by the river on a particularly hot day. Actually it seemed pretty nice, I could have used a dip myself.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2266/2073600098_c9c029991b_o.jpg

An old style Chinese country house with many of the old style things still in it makes it a quaint little place to grow up in, even if they may dream of opportunities in the cities.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2014/2073600088_3a969de566_o.jpg

Two boys playing around someones door, who knows what mischief they are up to.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2233/2073600084_d2ccb79582_o.jpg

Little girl takes a stretch after waking up from a nap on the chair.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2001/2073600092_09035044d7_o.jpg

Lighting up the pipe of tobaco and bark chips they grow in the countryside. Only the older people smoke this stuff as it is considered too vile by younger city people.




Cheers! :D

[nikola]

Great! Love the last one.

You can have it in Leica mount, someone is doing conversions but I can't remember exactly... I read it here tough, do a search. :)

[Avotius]

Great! Love the last one.

You can have it in Leica mount, someone is doing conversions but I can't remember exactly... I read it here tough, do a search. :)


Thanks, I like the last one too! Some group out of japan I think but they dont sell outside of japan and I didnt see any info about the yashinon on there, mind you my japanese stinks but searching for the word yashica and then looking at what the specs of the lenses are I didnt see it :(

[Keith]

Very nice indeed ... pic number two is my favourite ... they are all wonderful shots though. I just bought a black GT and was out yesterday running a roll of Plus-X through it to make sure all was well ... while scanning the very ordinary pics last night was reminded of just how good the lens is! :)

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g196/wheelie52/RFF%20Storage/ElectroGT_10.jpg

[Nikon Bob]

You can't argue with those photos, I enjoyed everyone.

Bob

[Trius]

Please stop posting photos made with this lens. That is all.

[Keith]

Please stop posting photos made with this lens. That is all.

Sorry can't do that ... it's such a good lens! :D

BW400CN
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g196/wheelie52/RFF%20Storage/Electro017.jpg

Plus-X
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g196/wheelie52/RFF%20Storage/ElectroGT_12.jpg

[Terao]

Just excellent all round, shots with great character, nice development, nice everything.

*heads off to search classifieds :) *

[Avotius]

Please stop posting photos made with this lens. That is all.


hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm................no


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2252/2073600094_7984675425_o.jpg

[pesphoto]

I sold my GSN after a CLA to a RFF member and am having major seller's remorse! All for what? To help pay a lousy bill! Maybe he'll sell it back to me?

[Avotius]

I sold my GSN after a CLA to a RFF member and am having major seller's remorse! All for what? To help pay a lousy bill! Maybe he'll sell it back to me?


Bills suck, best not to pay them at all.

[pesphoto]

Bills suck, best not to pay them at all.

I'm starting to lean that way. I recently picked up a GS but the meter seems dead. Even bought a battery adapter from Yashica Guy:mad:

Here is one with my old GSN that I sold:
http://www.paulshelaskyphotography.com/Photos/PhotoOfWeek/Industrial1.jpg

[Avotius]

Oh what the heck, one more cant hurt:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2105/2073133061_1f26d7f488_o.jpg

In Dazu there is a bunch of weird looking doors in places that look as if no one has passed through in years. The whole area is thousands of years old with stone carvings and artifacts scattered all through the mountain side (which is now the most unholy of tourist traps) but some times you can see something uniquely out of place like this door and take it all in.

[jan normandale]

Colin... remember what Trius/Earl wrote... ;- )

my personal Yashica count? 8.... images in my gallery here at RFF are marked in the shot info

ttyl,

here's one....

[Keith]

one more for luck ... :p

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g196/wheelie52/RFF%20Storage/Electro035.jpg

[Joe Vitessa]

Wow, Avotius, great tonality on the hands shot. Really beautiful. I had no idea this little (and inexpensive!) wonder was so good. Who needs my pricey Konica S3?

[stuken]

Theres one of these cameras at one of the local thrift shops right now that is going for i think 15 bucks. It's in need of a CLA by the looks of things, but man, how tempting.

[mfunnell]

I have a GTN that arrived (fairly) recently that I haven't had a chance to use at all (not even run a film through it yet to see if it works). This thread has seriousluy motivated me to change that!

The GTN gets used this weekend.

...Mike

[KoNickon]

Avotius and Keith, simply marvelous. Guess what I need to pull out and use? But I sure won't get photo essay-like results as Avotius is getting. You really need to publish these, my friend.

Anyway, the lens and meter of the camera are great. I'm not wild about the focusing ring grip, though (rather cramped), and the shutter button has awfully long travel before it trips, it seems to me. In short, ergonomically the GS/GT series isn't the greatest, not by a long shot. But it's true, the results from the camera are fantastic.

[Keith]

Avotius and Keith, simply marvelous. Guess what I need to pull out and use? But I sure won't get photo essay-like results as Avotius is getting. You really need to publish these, my friend.

Anyway, the lens and meter of the camera are great. I'm not wild about the focusing ring grip, though (rather cramped), and the shutter button has awfully long travel before it trips, it seems to me. In short, ergonomically the GS/GT series isn't the greatest, not by a long shot. But it's true, the results from the camera are fantastic.

You've identified the two things that irk me about the camera also. Those little plastic grips on the focusing ring are not where they need to be and I keep thinking there must be a way to improve the design. The shutter travel issue is much improved with a Luigi soft release on mine ... it makes a huge difference! :)

It's hard to force this lens out of it's comfort zone
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g196/wheelie52/RFF%20Storage/yasicafuji_25-1.jpg

[Trius]

OK, you guys are going to have to answer to my wife. Sheesh.

And Keith ... no fair with posting a GSN host of Mad Carol. That's just evil.

[Avotius]

Wow, Avotius, great tonality on the hands shot. Really beautiful. I had no idea this little (and inexpensive!) wonder was so good. Who needs my pricey Konica S3?



Thaaankssss, its fun to use cheap stuff and put out nice pictures that can easily be blown up to size. I just got myself a yashinon 50 1.4 m42 lens to stick on my digital and hoping for some more of those fun times with the yashica stuff.

[fdigital]

Colin, I really enjoy your little mini photo essays/reviews that you post up every now and then. I too think the electro 45 1.7 is just a beautiful lens. I really love that combo of hp5 and lc29.

Feel free to post more at any time in this forum community - everyone enjoys these and I don't think you'd ever tire us of them.

I'd love to see some color from the electro as well! I've had 3 of them but each hasn't worked properly in some way or another. I will persist and find a good one soon though!

[Avotius]

Colin, I really enjoy your little mini photo essays/reviews that you post up every now and then. I too think the electro 45 1.7 is just a beautiful lens. I really love that combo of hp5 and lc29.

Feel free to post more at any time in this forum community - everyone enjoys these and I don't think you'd ever tire us of them.

I'd love to see some color from the electro as well! I've had 3 of them but each hasn't worked properly in some way or another. I will persist and find a good one soon though!


Thanks a lot, I like writing these things, and if everyone will excuse my stupid spelling and grammar mistakes im sure that we can all have a little fun looking at them.

Color eh? I have shot some color with the GSN, I think I posted these before, but what the hey, couldn't hurt I guess: Provia 100f this time:


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/144/371052474_61f067bdeb_o.jpg

Horse in sunset graising on the Aba grasslands plentiful grass.


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/121/371052562_ef80527ac6_o.jpg

An Buddhist icon in the window seal of a small Buddhist building.


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/180/371052614_c6e6e5375c_o.jpg

Morning just before sunrise on the hillside next to this small Buddhist village. My 20D stopped working here, the Yashica GSN was fine.


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/134/371052666_e9fd3861e1_o.jpg

A famous stopping point on the journey through the Aba grasslands. Note all the Yak and Sheep.


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/142/371052715_e16fd98d4c_o.jpg

Horse and Sheep farmer's house on the grasslands.


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/140/371052766_3e5dafa484_o.jpg

Small Buddhist building on top of a grassy hill.


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/147/371052927_55a014c4e3_o.jpg

Tibetan prayer flags blowing in the wind.


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/180/371052822_cc3755806f_o.jpg

Tibetan prayer flags and alter.


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/188/371052877_5ff707e417_o.jpg

A Lama left his clothes here.


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/169/409738965_775f600190_o.jpg

These Tibetan prayer flags reminded me of the sails on a ship.


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/127/371053001_21c5d60a7d_o.jpg

Morning prayers, walking around a building containing a prayer wheel.


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/149/371053055_2a0b9087ef_o.jpg

A native of the grasslands who stopped to see what I was doing next to the road. Note the Dog.

[lic4]

Is that Tibet? (or Tibetan parts of Yunnan, Sichuan, Qinghai?) I went to Tibet once and being silly, didn't take a camera--many regrets--it's such a photo-worthy place especially since it's constantly changing at the hands of B'jing. I like your shot of the village at dawn. It reminds me of a John Ford film in a strange way.

I once taught a small photography class with cheap rangefinders and the best images seemed to consistently come from whoever had the Yashica camera and the Konica S2 (they rotated cameras). Part of it was the lens. Most of it was that they can be very easy to use and don't breakdown! (my favorite to use was the Konica C35)

Maybe some of us here should take a vow to only use <$50 cameras for a year and focus only on the craft. Your photos remind me that I've become too gear conscious these days. Regards.

[chikne]

Those photographs are nice!!! I guess people who use such a cameras don't have much to talk about, they can only show off....

[jan normandale]

Here are some taken at a fall fair using my trusty GSN

[KoNickon]

My God, Colin, those are remarkable. Great stuff. Some tricky lighting too.

[pesphoto]

Here are a couple from my old GSN that I regret selling. But Ive got a new(to me) one on the way.
Thanks to a kind fellow RFF member!

http://www.paulshelaskyphotography.com/Photos/PhotoOfWeek/PAW1005.jpg

http://www.paulshelaskyphotography.com/Photos/PhotoOfWeek/PAW34.jpg