Yashica

Yashica (originally Yashima Seiki) is a name usually associated with Twin Lens Reflex cameras (the Yashica Mat) or the best selling fixed lens rangefinder in history, the Electro 35. However, for the Leica M-mount and LTM collector, Yashica represents a brief, transitional moment in history.

Yashica's presence in the interchangeable lens rangefinder market is almost entirely defined by their acquisition of Nicca in 1958. For a very short window (roughly 1958 to 1960), Yashica produced the Yashica YF and a small set of high quality Yashinon lenses in LTM mount. These are distinct from the millions of cheap Yashica cameras found at flea markets; they are rare, precision instruments built on the backbone of Nicca's "Leica Copy" expertise.

History

Yashica's entry into the LTM world was not developed from scratch but bought.

The Nicca Acquisition (1958)

In the 1950s, Nicca was one of the premier Japanese manufacturers of Leica clones (often sold as "Tower" cameras in the US). However, they struggled financially. In 1958, Yashica acquired Nicca. They took Nicca's final prototype (the Nicca IIIL) and rebranded it as the Yashica YF.

• The Transition: This was Yashica's only interchangeable lens rangefinder camera. Unlike the classic Barnack Leica copies, the YF featured modern styling, a projected frameline viewfinder, and a film advance lever. It was positioned to compete with the Leica M3 but ultimately failed as the world moved to SLRs [[1]].

The Electro Era (1960s to 1970s)

After the failure of the YF, Yashica abandoned the interchangeable LTM system. They pivoted to fixed lens rangefinders, culminating in the Electro 35 series. While these cameras are iconic, their lenses are permanently fixed to the body and cannot be used on M-mount cameras without destructive modification.

Product Lines (LTM Native)

Yashica LTM lenses are extremely rare because they were only produced to accompany the short lived YF camera. They are branded Super Yashinon.

The Super Yashinon 5cm f/1.8

The standard lens for the Yashica YF.

• Design: A high quality 6 element Gauss design, similar to the Canon 50mm f/1.8 or Nikkor-H.
• Aesthetics: It features a distinct black and chrome "panda" styling that matches the YF body. The focus ring is typically black anodized aluminum, which was a modern look for the late 1950s.
• Performance: It is known for being surprisingly sharp with high contrast, thanks to newer glass types available in the late 50s that weren't available to earlier LTM manufacturers [[2]].

The Super Yashinon 10cm f/2.8

A rare telephoto lens designed for the system.

• Rarity: While the 5cm is rare, the 10cm (100mm) is a ghost. It was produced in very small numbers.
• Design: It mimics the compact telephoto designs of the era, offering a fast f/2.8 aperture in a relatively small package.

Note on "Yashinon" Lenses

Collectors must be careful not to confuse Yashinon LTM lenses with Yashinon DX/DS lenses (which are M42 screw mount for SLRs) or the fixed lenses on Electro 35 cameras. Only the specific lenses marked for the YF system will mount natively to a Leica.

Technical Specifications

Feature	Specification Details
Native Mount	LTM (Leica Thread Mount)
Focus Coupling	Coupled. (Standard rangefinder coupling).
Build Materials	Anodized Aluminum (Black) and Chrome. Lighter than brass Canon lenses.
Filter Thread	46mm (Super Yashinon 5cm f/1.8).
Coatings	Single Coated (But utilizing late 1950s hard coating technology).
Markings	"Super Yashinon-R" or "Yashica Japan".
Compatibility	Fully compatible with all LTM and M-mount cameras (with adapter).

Why Photographers Choose Yashica

• The "YF" Collector: The Yashica YF is often called the "poor man's Leica M3" or the "Japanese Leica M." Collectors buy the Super Yashinon lens specifically to complete a YF kit.
• Late-Era LTM Performance: Because these lenses were manufactured at the very end of the LTM era (1959), they benefit from better optical glass and coatings than LTM lenses from the early 1950s. The 5cm f/1.8 offers a more modern, contrasty look than a Summitar or Summarit.
• Value: While rare, the Yashinon 5cm f/1.8 is often undervalued compared to the Nikkor 5cm f/2 or Canon 50mm f/1.4. It is a "sleeper" lens for those who can find one.

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Sources

• [1] CameraQuest (Yashica YF Profile): https://cameraquest.com/yashyf.htm
• [2] 35mmc (Yashica YF Review): https://www.35mmc.com/12/04/2016/yashica-yf-review/
• [3] Yashica TLR (History of Yashima/Nicca): http://www.yashicatlr.com/YashicaHistory.html