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LYNX
- 14 |
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Introduction
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The Yashica Lynx-14 is a rugged fixed lens
rangefinder camera of a type that was very popular in the mid 1960s to
the mid 1980s. The Lynx was quite unique due to its use of the very fast
45mm f1.4 lens*—other cameras made due with f1.7, f1.8 and f1.9 lenses.
Very robust in its construction, the Lynx has
a heavy, solid feel and to those who appreciate the basics, it is a joy to use.
Introduced in 1965, the Lynx-14 remained
in production for a bit over a decade. It features a built-in coupled
meter, parallax corrected viewfinder and a superimposed rangefinder.
The Lynx-14 presents a very reasonably
priced alternative to those who dream of a Leica or Nikon Rangefinder. The
perfect camera for
those with Champaign tastes but a wine cooler budget
*My mind may be
going but I can't think of any other fixed lens rangefinder camera that
had a f1.4 lens. Please
contact me if you know of any. |
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Design & Construction
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The design of the Lynx-14 is very traditional and
except for its f1.4 lens, little new ground is broken. Of course the f1.4
dominates and makes this camera somewhat unique.
The lens is an excellent design that has been optimized for use at its
maximum aperture of f1.4 and the version III features an early version of
multicoating to improve contrast and color saturation.
All controls are well laid out and fall readily to hand. The camera has
a robust feel and while a bit on the heavy side feels very well balanced.
The range/viewfinder is of the very common superimposed type with a
long baseline for accurate focus even with the very short depth of field
provided by the f1.4 lens.
As far as construction goes only the term tank-like fits. This
camera is solid with heavy duty everything. The castings are thick and
solid and everything fits together nicely. This is a hand assembled camera
and while the workmanship is very good it is not quite up to Leica or Zeiss. It is on a par
with its contemporaries from Canon, Minolta and Olympus—fine company
indeed.
Considering when and what it was designed for there is only one thing I
would have liked to see—a ratchet ed advance. The advance stroke is
a bit long and can be a bit awkward as it must be completed in one
continuous stroke. |
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In Use
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As a pure mechanical camera the Lynx-14 does not dazzle with features but
impresses with its well placed controls and hefty solid feel. By any
standard the lens is an outstanding performer, especially designed for
wide open picture taking. The lens on the version III uses an early form
of multicoating that yields very good contrast and high color saturation.
The shutter release stroke is short, light and smooth and because of the
cameras weight, hand holding even at slower speeds produces very good
results. The viewfinder is large and bright with illuminated frame lines.
These frame lines move as you focus to compensate for parallax. The
superimposed rangefinder is bright with good contrast and with its long
baseline, needed for accurate focus with the f1.4 lens, sharp images are
obtained. The range/viewfinder has excellent eye relief and even eyeglass
wearers will find it exceptionally easy to use.
The built-in CdS lightmeter is a bit primitive by today's standards but
it will yield excellent results under high to medium low light. Indoors
and under low light conditions the meter suffers from the bane of all CdS
meters—photocell memory. This can be overcome by giving the meter a few
minutes to settle down when going from bright to dim lighting. The meter
is a simple centering type and is visible both in the viewfinder and on
the top of the camera.
The film advance is smooth and light and although a bit sloppy feeling,
produces evenly spaced negative & transparencies. Loading the camera is
straight forward but for someone used to today's auto-loading cameras, a
bit of practice may be necessary.
Overall the Yashica Lynx should prove a fun camera to use that will
produce very serious results. |
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Why You Want One
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The Yashica Lynx-14 is one of only a very few (maybe the only) cameras of its type that
employs a f1.4 lens. The camera is very well built and although a wee bit
on the heavy side, is a pleasure to use. Under appreciated by most
collectors I think this will change as there are not many good examples of
this camera available and and it represents the best of its genre.
For people who are more interested in the picture taking than gadgets and
gewgaws, this is a camera that concentrates on the photographic basics.
With care and maintenance the Lynx-14 will last and last. Almost all metal
and easily serviced
Future prediction: I would not anticipate a large increase in value in
the near future, the Lynx-14 will hold and even gain in value. |
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Specifications
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Camera
Name
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Lynx-14
with variation models I~III |
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Manufacturer
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Yashica |
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Place of
Manufacture
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Body:
Japan
Lens:
Japan |
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Date of
Manufacture
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1965 ~
1978 (end of production still available 1979) |
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Focusing
System
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Fully
coupled rangefinder with built-in parallax compensation
Lens use
helical focusing |
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Fixed
Lens
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45mm,
f/1.4, Yashinon DX lens (7 elements in 5 groups)
Minimum
focusing distance = 0.8 meters (~2.6 feet)
Right
focusing (infinity on right side)
58mm
screw-in filter; 60mm push-on lens cap |
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Shutter
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Copal SVE
leaf shutter 1 secs - 1/500 (1 stop steps)
X-flash
sync at all speeds (electronic flash)
M-flash sync with 23ms delay (M class flash bulbs)
Selftimer with 12 sec delay (approximate)
B
setting |
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Metering
System
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CdS cell
mounted on rangefinder
Coupled exposure meter (match-needle)
EV 3 - 16
(at ISO 100) |
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Apertures
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f/1.7 -
f/16 stepless
Right
stopping down (f/16 on right side)
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Flash
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External
cold-shoe only
PC
cable connection
X-M
switch |
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Film
type / speeds
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Type 135
film (35mm standard)
ASA 10 to
800 |
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Battery
type
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1.35v
PX625 mercury-oxide (discontinued) |
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Dimensions and weight
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5 1/2" x
3 3/8 x 6 5/16"; 30 oz. |
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Retail
price
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¥24,000
(1965) Approximate 2006 $500.00 |
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Buying a Lynx-14
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Buying a good Lynx-14 can prove a real challenge but quite rewarding if you
persevere. Although very robust in its construction many Lynx-14s have
suffered from time, disuse and abuse. Realize that most Lynx-14s are 30~40
years old so unless the camera has had service recently expect to have it
reconditioned. The Lynx-14 does not have any weak or known problem areas
but look out for the following:
- Deteriorated seals. These foam seals are found throughout the camera
both inside and out and simply replacing the door seals is not enough
- Shutter frozen due to lack of use and oil build up
- Battery corrosion damage. The mercury battery originally used lasted
so long many people forgot about it. Mercury battery corrosion would
track up the lead wire destroying it. Luckily, because of the the design
of the Lynx-14, the corrosion stopped at the meter switch and did not
destroy the meter circuit.
- Focus stiff due to helicoid grease oxidizing
- Various range/viewfinder problems
- Misalignment
- Clouding
- De-silvering (A REAL DEAL BREAKER)
- Fungus and dirt in the lens (May be serviceable varies from camera
to camera)
- Sticky advance due to deteriorated lubricants.
All these problems except for deterioration in the range/viewfinder are
straight forward and a competent repairman should have no problem putting
the camera in tip top shape.
Like all cameras don't even consider impact, water or corrosion damaged
units. Also cosmetic parts are very difficult to find and must be sourced
from other cameras or fabricated from scratch.
Worried about not being able to find the correct voltage battery—don't
despair. I have devised the perfect solution
click here
for details |
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