Yashica A
Posted 8-26-'02
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Yashica A camera

Yashica A camera

REMOVING THE CAMERA FROM THE CASE

TO remove the camera for film loading raise the two metal Lock Slides.

Yashica A camera      Yashica A camera
Spread the sides of the case apart and lift the camera free.

Just snap off the bottom when removing the entire front element of the carrying case.

Your Yashica camera comes complete with a deluxe, leather eveready case. While the camera is in the case, all working parts are visible and ready to use. All you need to do is open the back-snap and lift the top of the case forward.
     Yashica A camera



LOADING FILM

* 120 size film

* 12 pictures per roll in the popular 2 1/4 X 2 1/4 size

* Black-White or Color


Yashica A camera

(1) To unlock back cover, turn the tripod socket in the direction marked '0'. Then open the Back Cover by swinging it out.

(2) Remove the Take-Up Spool in the Lower Film Chamber by pulling out the Lower Film Spool Locking Spring.

(3) Place the Take-Up Spool in the Upper Film Chamber by pulling out the Upper Film Spool Locking Spring.

(4) Place a new roll of size 120 film in the Lower Film Chamber.

Yashica A camera Yashica A camera Yashica A camera


(5) Gently draw out the film leader. Thread the film leader into the wider slot of the Take-Up Spool in the Upper Film Chamber, then turn the Film Winding Knob. Make sure that the film leader is placed evenly.

(6) Turn the Film Winding Knob three or four times so that the film leader is held securely on the Take-up Spool.

(7) To close the Back Cover. turn the lock in the 'C' direction (clockwise) until it stops.

(8) Carefully and gently turn the Film Winding Knob until the Film Counter Window shows number '1'. You are now ready to take the first picture.

   Yashica A camera
   Yashica A camera    Yashica A camera    Yashica A camera

Caution: When loading or unloading film stand in a shadow-- never in strong, direct sunlight.


PICTURE TAKING PROCEDURE

(1) Open the Viewfinder Hood by lifting it at back. Press the Viewfinder Hood down to close it.

(2) Set the Lens Aperture Control Lever to the desired number on the Lens Aperture Scale.

(3) Set the Shutter Speed Dial on the required speed to the Shutter Speed Indicator.

(4) Push down the Shutter winding Lever. Be sure not to change Shutter Speed after the shutter is wound.

Yashica A camera

Yashica A camera

Yashica A camera

(5) Now gently release the Shutter by pressing the Shutter Release Button.



MAGNIFYING GLASS

Yashica A camera

Assures more accurate focusing

(A) Raise the Magnifying Glass by pressing the front of the Focusing Hood Cover inward. holding the Focusing Hood so that it does not close.
When using the Magnifying Glass, place your eye as close to the Magnifying Glass as possible.

(B) Always make sure that you have first lowered the Magnifying Glass before closing the Focusing Hood.

 

Yashica A camera

Yashica A camera

Depress the Focusing Hood Cover until it click into place.  Lift the Yashica to your eye level.

SPORTS FINDER

Sight your subject through
the Sportsfinder Window.

Push the Release Button when close it.

Yashica A camera

Yashica A camera

Push the Release
Button when closing it.

 

TAKING FLASH PICTURES
As you become more proficient at taking pictures, you will want to acquire accessories that increase the versatility of your Yashica. One of the first accessories you will want will be a flash unit.  Your Yashica is ready and waiting. Synchronization for flash is built-in. A standard PC connector plugs into the flash terminal. Your camera dealer will be glad to supply the proper flash attachment for your camera.  
Your Yashica A offers X synchronization for short peak bulbs-- SM and SF--and for Electronic Flash.

Yashica A camera

CABLE RELEASE
A standard, overlap-type Cable Release can be fitted to your Yashica. Simply unscrew the Shutter Release Ring and screw in the Cable Release.  Your camera dealer will supply the proper Cable Release for your camera.

Yashica A camera

Yashica A camera

To calculate exposures for flash pictures, follow the bulbs manufacturers simple recommendations.

(Web master: Any automatic flash will work with this camera so long as it has a PC cord and handle.  A handle can be purchased separately with hot-shot abilities.)  

 

S E L F  T I M E R
To be attached to the Shutter Release Button after unscrewing the Shutter Release Button Ring. It enables you to take self-portraits, group pictures with you in them, which gives you ample time to move from behind the camera into the picture. Naturally, the camera must be mounted on a tripod or braced on a support.

A flash with an "auto" setting, you just choose the F-stop available on the flash.  Set the ASA of your film on the flash,  Set the shutter to higher then 1/125 and the flash will state what F-stop to use depending on the "color" chosen on the flash.  Depending on the price of the unit, some will only have 2 settings, some will have 4 settings.  The flash will show the "exposure range" in feet and meters with that F-stop setting.   These "auto" units will use their electric eye to determine how much light it should let out.  The flash will usually save the batteries in the unit by only discharging the needed amount of light.  So the unit does not have to recharge from zero.  Most times the exposure is perfect but if only one person, far away in a dark setting may not reflect back enough light to the electric eye and over expose that person.

 

 

UNLOADING FILM

Yashica A camera

After taking all 12 pictures turn the Film Winding Knob about 6 turns, to take up the remaining film. Then open the camera and remove the film.

SIGHTING THE SUBJECT AND FOCUSING

You see the picture before taking

Your Yashica is a twin-lens reflex camera. The lower lens takes the picture. The upper lens is for focusing and composing on the ground glass viewing screen.

To begin, open the Focusing Hood by lifting it at the back. Now point your Yashica at the subject.
Rotate the Focusing Knob until your subject on the ground glass screen is sharp. At the same time compose your subject on the ground glass as you would like to see it in the final picture.

Yashica A camera

COMPOSING

is unusually simple an the Yashica's ground glass viewing screen. The 4 red guide lines help you for properly composing your pictures.

 


In addition to focusing, there are two other basic adjustments on any fine camera: the LENS APERTURE or OPENING and the SHUTTER SPEED

THE LENS OPENING

The Lens Aperture controls the amount of light that will pass through the lens onto the light- film. Your Yashica-A, with its Yashimar lens, offers openings at F 3.5, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22

Yashica A camera  

 

 

Notice that the lower the number, the larger the opening 3.5 is the largest opening, f :22 the smallest.  To set the lens opening, move the Aperture Control Lever to the desired number on the Aperture Scale.

Shutter Speed

The Shutter Speed controls the duration of the exposure. Shutter speeds on your Yashica - A with its fine Copal Shutter are 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/300th of a second and B. The ' B ' setting is for taking pictures with an exposure longer than 1, 25 second. Use a Tripod or Brace when using B. When you press the Shutter Release Button on the "B" setting the shutter stays open until you release pressure on the button. It is advisable to set the shutter speed before you wind the shutter at all times.

Camera may be Hand Held Use a Tripod or Brace Use Tripod or Brace
Average Pictures Pictures Exposure

1/25 1/50 1/100 

Action Pictures

1/300 
Time Exposures

"B"

EXPOSURE

Exposure means finding the right combination of lens-opening (aperture! and shutter speed in relation to the sensitivity (ASA) of your film. (ASA) indicates American Standard Association). For example, if you are using a film of ASA 200 (Tri-X type) sensitivity your correct exposure will be according to the following table:

DAYLIGHT EXPOSURE TABLE

Your shutter speed will be 1/100 with the aperture numbers shown below.

Bright Sun Hazy Sun  Cloudy-Bright  Cloudy-Dull or Open Shade (4)
Light Subject (1) f/32 f/22 f/16 f/11
Average Subjects (2) f/22 f/16 f/11 f/8
Dark Subjects (3) f/16 f/11 f/8 f/5.6

(1) Light Subject: Distant landscapes, near-by people with sea, beach and snow scenes in the background.

(2) Average Subjects Near-by poeple, houses, gardens, buildings and places not in the shade. Advisable to use this class when light and dark objects are in about equal proportions.

(3) Dark Subjects People in dark clothing; trees, flowers, animals and large buildings.

(4) Open Shade: Subjects shaded from the sun but lighted by a wide area of open sky. The less the open sky the larger the lens opening.

If you are using on ASA 100 film, you will make a larger lens-opening or lower your shutter speed 1/50 sec.

But if you never want to make a mistake, use an exposure meter. Be sure to consult your local camera dealer.

HOLDING THE CAMERA

Yashica A camera

When fences or other obstructions are in your way you can hold your Yashica over head, focusing and viewing from below.

Yashica A camera

Hold the camera steady, then gently, push the Shutter Release Button.

Yashica A camera

For low objects rest the Yashica on the ground.

Yashica A camera

Steady the camera on your knee when taking a picture from a lower level.

Yashica A camera

Use the sportsfinder for taking pictures on the eye-level.

DEPTH-OF-FIELD

When you focus the camera on a subjects there is a certain distance in front and back of the subject within which other objects will also appear sharp.
This is known as the " Depth-of-Field", and it varies with the lens aperture.
The smaller the aperture the greater the Depth-of-Field; it is much larger at f 22 than at f 3.5.


Yashica A camera

At the focusing knob is a scale which will indicate the Depth-of-Field when the camera is focused at various distances. You will notice that an either side of the f 3.5 figure is a similar set of numbers which represent lens apertures. When the camera is fecund on your subject look for the aperture you are using on either side of the scale to determine the Depth-of-Field. Thus, if the camera is focused at 10 feet and the lens aperture is f :8 the Depth-of-Field Area in which all objects are sharp is from about 8 ft. to 13 ft.


You can also use the depth-of-field scale to use your Yashica as a fixed-focus camera. In this case set the infinity mark on the distance scale opposite the lens aperture being used. If the aperture is f 8 you will notice that all objects from about 25 feet to infinity will be sharp.

FILTERS

Your Yashica-A accepts sunshades and filters adapter rings in convenient push-on mounts that readily fasten to the 'taking' lens. A complete range of filters and supplementary lenses are available in the popular 32 mm size.

Initially, you will find a yellow filter ideal for bringing out clouds in landscape pictures and for general uses. As you become more advanced, you may want to use various filters, such as orange, green, etc. for different effects. Your camera dealer will give you complete information.

Notice!
Be sure to replace the lens Cap when your camera is not in use. Keep your camera away from dust and moisture. For cleaning the lens surface to remove dust or dirt, always wipe very lightly by using clean gauze or lens cleaning cloth. Do not wipe the lens with a dirty handkerchief. When you are not using your camera for a tuna period do not leave the shutter set. In such cases place the lens cap over the lens to avoid exposure, and release the shutter.

REVIEW:
a.  Select your exposure combination 
b.  Set the lens opening (aperture) 
c.  Set the shutter speed 
d. "Wind" the shutter 
e.  Focus on the ground glass screen 
f.  Compose Ion the ground glass or through the sports finder) 
g.  Take the picture.  Advance the film