Confused about the Lynx 14 series

[Compaq]

I've been reading, but I feel I'm not getting any wiser. So, that's why I'll ask here.

How many different 14 series models are there?

- Lynx 14
- Lynx 14 IC
- Lynx 14 IC e

??

And, the more important question, what would the difference be between these? IC ("Integrated Circuit")... what exactly does that mean? The "e" probably means "electronic" or something. What does that in practice mean?

Is there a lynx that fulfills the following:

All I want in the rangefinder is a coupled focusing system, and a mechanical shutter. Do I get that with the Lynx 14 series? I'd buy it for the lens... I've always wanted one, but I need to figure out which I actually want buy.

I'd also like a Lynx 1000 for it's awesome shutter speed and f/22 possibilities.

Thanks for help!

[Jack Conrad]

They each have mechanical shutters and work fine as manual rf cameras.
The meters differ somewhat between the variants, in location of cds cells
and meter windows, lcd lights vs needle and so on.
I like the earlier ones with match needle metering on the hood, myself.

At the moment I have a 5000e in which the meter is dead. I have yet to finish a roll, but off hand, I think it's a better balanced tool that the 14, which is
very large, though supposedly the lens is sharp wide open.

At the moment I cannot remember what the diff is between the 5000 and the 1000, except maybe age and marketing.

The shutter on my 5000e is quite impressive though. I don't know if it's twice as fast as 1/500 but it's definitely faster.

[NotFlashy]

Originally Posted by Compaq

I've been reading, but I feel I'm not getting any wiser. So, that's why I'll ask here.

How many different 14 series models are there?

- Lynx 14
- Lynx 14 IC
- Lynx 14 IC e

??

And, the more important question, what would the difference be between these? IC ("Integrated Circuit")... what exactly does that mean? The "e" probably means "electronic" or something. What does that in practice mean?

Is there a lynx that fulfills the following:

All I want in the rangefinder is a coupled focusing system, and a mechanical shutter. Do I get that with the Lynx 14 series? I'd buy it for the lens... I've always wanted one, but I need to figure out which I actually want buy.

I'd also like a Lynx 1000 for it's awesome shutter speed and f/22 possibilities.

Thanks for help!

Here is where you want to go for the skinny on the Lynx 14:

http://www.yashica-guy.com/document/chrono2.html

[Compaq]

I've visited that site many times. However, I'm still left confused.

So, the Lynx 14. What exactly is the specs of this camera? Is the rangefinder coupled? How does the metering work? I'm used to the metering in the Oly 35 SP, which uses exposure values.

[Steve M.]

http://www.cameraquest.com/yaslyn14.htm

Coupled RF, exposure is by under and over exposure lights. Early models are manual exposure, later are AE. I found this info on the above website, as I've never seen one of these cameras in the wild.

[ColSebastianMoran]

Originally Posted by Compaq

I've visited that site many times. However, I'm still left confused.

So, the Lynx 14. What exactly is the specs of this camera? Is the rangefinder coupled? How does the metering work? I'm used to the metering in the Oly 35 SP, which uses exposure values.

I don't know about "exactly" but:

Rangefinder is coupled and is pretty good.

Metering is center the needle, if it still works. Camera is fully manual and I use a modern meter.

[farlymac]

There was a short lived Yashica 35 Lynx, with a 1.8 Yashinon lens.

Then the 1000 Lynx that introduced the 1/1000sec speed to rangefinder cameras.

The Lynx 5000 actually had a 1/500 top speed, but because of marketing mores, you couldn't call it the 500 because there were too many improvements over the 1000, including a CdS metering system using a galvanic meter on the top deck, and visible in the finder.

The 14 was introduced at the same time as the 5000, and got it's name from the f1.4 maximum aperture lens.

Later, the 5000 and 14 were upgraded to E status with the newer Over/Under lights type of metering system that took advantage of using an integrated circuit (hence the IC in the name), and which was used in every Yashica rangefinder starting with the Electro 35 Gold Mechanica.

So, there are only two models of the Lynx 14:
Yashica Lynx -14 with the needle meter readout
Yashica IC Lynx-14E with the Over/Under meter lights

35mm Fixed Lens Rangefinder
Lens: 1:1.4 45mm coated Yashinon-DX with 58mm filter ring (uses a clamp-on 60mm hood)
Shutter: Copal-SVE X-M sync with speeds B, 1 to 1/500sec mechanically timed, delay, and PC connection on left side of top cover
Viewfinder: Coupled rangefinder (43mm baseline) combined in viewfinder with bright framelines and parallax correction
Meter: CdS photocell driving a galvanic meter (14), or IC and Over/Under lights (14E), momentarily operated by switch on front of camera.
Battery: For 14E use 2x Eveready E-640 1.4v (or equivalent). NOTE: Two 675's work fine in an adapter. The 14 used one E-640.
Accessory Shoe: Cold, with access to rangefinder adjustment

PF

[btgc]

I wonder if Yashica Guy did his job to no avail? His site cover Yashica rangefinders pretty well, explaining also E variation of Lynxes.

[Compaq]

Farlymac, that's very helpful! Thanks!

I'm aware of Yashica guy, but I find his articles rather messy.

Thanks again for your help. It's definitely the Lynx 14 (not the "e" version") I'm after

[farlymac]

You're welcome, Compaq. I too refer to the YashicaGuy site for information, but find his articles somewhat scattershot. Lots of good info, but as is in most sites, not complete.

PF

[one90guy]

Yashica Lynx 5000e with dead meter, fell in love with this one first time I used it.

[Dave S.]

Yes, the Yashica Lynx 5000e is a beauty. I picked one up for nothing at the "free" table at our local swap meet a few weeks back. The shutter was stuck and the Yashica name plate had fallen off, but otherwise it was minty. Got the shutter unstuck and voila! Shutter speeds all seem to be spot on, meter works great, and compared to my other 5 or 6 Lynx cameras this one has the smoothest focus and the most contrasty rangefinder! I'm eager to run a roll through her...