Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

murrelet · 11-16-2017, 01:14 PM

Just for back scans from my first 2 rolls of 120 film. Camera is a Yashica-A TLR I bought for fairly cheap and immediately got serviced. Very disappointing. Do I need to take it back to the shop? Not sure what they could do if the lens is all shot to hell. Any thoughts?

photoptimist · 11-16-2017, 01:41 PM

Yipes!

This looks like the effects of a flipped lens element. Is there a chance someone took apart the lens and reassembled it with one of the elements reversed?

emergo · 11-16-2017, 01:44 PM - **1 Like**

A lot of shooters are going for that look these days... Were you shooting wide open? In any case, I don't think there's anything wrong with your camera, but I am no expert on this model. It was a basic consumer model from the 50s. I found some sample images from that camera, and some resemble what you have here. Yashica-A – Sample-Image.com

skierd · 11-16-2017, 01:50 PM

Make sure the rear element is fully screwed in. I had that happen once to a recently serviced camera and it caused all kinds of wonky focus issues. But yes, definitely either have it serviced again (locally?) or return it, though I do like the effect and think it could be an awesome portrait camera...

murrelet · 11-16-2017, 02:58 PM

Originally posted by emergo

A lot of shooters are going for that look these days... Were you shooting wide open? In any case, I don't think there's anything wrong with your camera, but I am no expert on this model. It was a basic consumer model from the 50s. I found some sample images from that camera, and some resemble what you have here. Yashica-A – Sample-Image.com

I was using Portra 400 and it was overcast. Pretty sure the shutter speed was set at 1/50 so probably had the aperture at F8 or F11? Almost positive it wasn't at F3.5. Hopefully I didn't just buy an expensive pinhole camera.

Here's a scan with leaves in the foreground and the bridge in the background. Center of frame looks reasonable so I don't think it's a DOF issue.

Originally posted by skierd

Make sure the rear element is fully screwed in. I had that happen once to a recently serviced camera and it caused all kinds of wonky focus issues. But yes, definitely either have it serviced again (locally?) or return it, though I do like the effect and think it could be an awesome portrait camera...

It's a local shop I've used a few times, mostly for Pentax 35mm SLRs. They've all done great work and they warranty for 6 or 12 months, can't remember which. I'll definitely take it in after I pick up the negatives.

thazooo · 11-16-2017, 03:44 PM

Make sure your taking lens isn't loose.
Make sure your lenses and carriage are running parallel to the film plane.
Check to see if the film plate located attached to the rear lid, isn't messed up, bad springs, crooked, etc...
Good luck

Silent Street · 11-16-2017, 05:44 PM

That looks like astigmatism, and the sort of photo one might arrive at using a tilt-shift lens or a lensbaby for special effects.
Other than to admire your accidental handiwork (and suspect a serious fault with the lens of your Yashica), nothing much to do except maybe make comparisons with pinhole photography. And on that note, a pinhole camera is soft and fuzzy (in a positive way) right across the image, not just partially.

Swift1 · 11-16-2017, 07:13 PM

That's definitely not right. I suspect something wrong with your lens. Your Yashica A has triplet lenses made by Tomioka, I have a Toyocaflex TLR that has basically the same lens, and mine never does that, wide open or stopped down.

**arnold** · 11-16-2017, 09:34 PM

Looks like a reversed lens to me.

dsmithhfx · 11-18-2017, 07:41 AM

Wish me luck with my Mamiyaflex c2. First roll in ~30-years (tri-x) came back from lab a month ago completely unexposed (probably) thanks to a sticky shutter. Fixed that Cleaning a Mamiya TLR lens | iamthejeff

Tried to load roll of hp5+ couple of weeks ago, but the film advance in the c2 is very futzy and I'd forgotten the procedure and somehow managed to wind through the roll without engaging the film stop release, at which point I realized I would need to manually re-spool the film and try again (either that or toss it and ten bucks + HST. Noooo!).

Fast forward to today. Luckily I have an old changing bag, which I struggled with figuring out (it has a separate zippered liner the film has to go in else you can't touch it), then I struggled with the orientation of the film (I had wrongly assumed it is stuck to the backing) and after a few tries I got it re-spooled correctly (I think).

Onwards to the film loading: by following this guide Film loading and advancing in Mamiyaflex C2 | Twin Lens Reflex | Flickr I got the stop release to engage at the same time as "1" appeared in the tiny, dim red peephole on the camera back.

Wish me luck...

murrelet · 12-08-2017, 11:14 PM - **6 Likes**

Wanted to follow-up with good news. I took the Yashica A back to the shop where I originally got it CLA'ed. It was still under warranty and when looking at the negatives, immediately identified the problem as a reversed lens. They fixed it and I had it back within the week. Ran a roll of Portra 400 through it, got it developed, and just got the scans this evening. Now I just need to get used to focusing and composing with the waist level finder and making sure I don't overshoot when I wind the film (like I did that first roll).

dsmithhfx · 12-09-2017, 06:54 AM

Originally posted by murrelet

Wanted to follow-up with good news. I took the Yashica A back to the shop where I originally got it CLA'ed. It was still under warranty and when looking at the negatives, immediately identified the problem as a reversed lens. They fixed it and I had it back within the week. Ran a roll of Portra 400 through it, got it developed, and just got the scans this evening. Now I just need to get used to focusing and composing with the waist level finder and making sure I don't overshoot when I wind the film (like I did that first roll).

Great shot of a pair of wild-looking buildings. What are they?

**Bonner04** · 12-09-2017, 08:20 AM

Nice when we hear of a good ending to camera woes.

murrelet · 12-09-2017, 08:39 PM

Originally posted by dsmithhfx

Great shot of a pair of wild-looking buildings. What are they?

Brand new office building. It's being marketed to the creative industry, i.e., hipsters. It is a fun building to photograph. But I do wonder how well the paint job will last over time.

**Bonner04** · 12-11-2017, 04:09 PM

Originally posted by murrelet

Brand new office building. It's being marketed to the creative industry, i.e., hipsters. It is a fun building to photograph. But I do wonder how well the paint job will last over time.

Another side of Portland (11th Ave., two weeks ago)...

11-16-2017, 01:14 PM	#1
murrelet Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Portland, OR, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 506	TLR woes Just for back scans from my first 2 rolls of 120 film. Camera is a Yashica-A TLR I bought for fairly cheap and immediately got serviced. Very disappointing. Do I need to take it back to the shop? Not sure what they could do if the lens is all shot to hell. Any thoughts?

11-16-2017, 02:58 PM	#5
murrelet Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Portland, OR, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 506 Original Poster	Originally posted by emergo A lot of shooters are going for that look these days... Were you shooting wide open? In any case, I don't think there's anything wrong with your camera, but I am no expert on this model. It was a basic consumer model from the 50s. I found some sample images from that camera, and some resemble what you have here. Yashica-A – Sample-Image.com I was using Portra 400 and it was overcast. Pretty sure the shutter speed was set at 1/50 so probably had the aperture at F8 or F11? Almost positive it wasn't at F3.5. Hopefully I didn't just buy an expensive pinhole camera. Here's a scan with leaves in the foreground and the bridge in the background. Center of frame looks reasonable so I don't think it's a DOF issue. Originally posted by skierd Make sure the rear element is fully screwed in. I had that happen once to a recently serviced camera and it caused all kinds of wonky focus issues. But yes, definitely either have it serviced again (locally?) or return it, though I do like the effect and think it could be an awesome portrait camera... It's a local shop I've used a few times, mostly for Pentax 35mm SLRs. They've all done great work and they warranty for 6 or 12 months, can't remember which. I'll definitely take it in after I pick up the negatives. Last edited by murrelet; 11-16-2017 at 03:16 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Ricohflex VII TLR camera help	ripper2860	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	2	10-16-2016 06:52 AM
For Sale - Sold: Mamiya C33 TLR, prism, WLF and 80mm 2.8 lens	gabriel_bc	Sold Items	3	10-27-2011 07:41 PM
Zeiss TLR Filters	Portland Pete	Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands	3	02-20-2010 06:33 AM
For Sale - Sold: Mamiya C3 tlr mf camera	Steve Beswick	Sold Items	16	05-30-2009 06:32 PM

11-16-2017, 01:41 PM	#2
photoptimist Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,128	Yipes! This looks like the effects of a flipped lens element. Is there a chance someone took apart the lens and reassembled it with one of the elements reversed?

11-16-2017, 01:44 PM - 1 Like	#3
emergo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coloroado Photos: Gallery Posts: 271	A lot of shooters are going for that look these days... Were you shooting wide open? In any case, I don't think there's anything wrong with your camera, but I am no expert on this model. It was a basic consumer model from the 50s. I found some sample images from that camera, and some resemble what you have here. Yashica-A – Sample-Image.com

11-16-2017, 01:50 PM	#4
skierd Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Fairbanks, AK Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,472	Make sure the rear element is fully screwed in. I had that happen once to a recently serviced camera and it caused all kinds of wonky focus issues. But yes, definitely either have it serviced again (locally?) or return it, though I do like the effect and think it could be an awesome portrait camera...

11-16-2017, 03:44 PM	#6
thazooo Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 854	Make sure your taking lens isn't loose. Make sure your lenses and carriage are running parallel to the film plane. Check to see if the film plate located attached to the rear lid, isn't messed up, bad springs, crooked, etc... Good luck

11-16-2017, 05:44 PM	#7
Silent Street Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Castlemaine, Victoria, AUS Photos: Albums Posts: 1,151	That looks like astigmatism, and the sort of photo one might arrive at using a tilt-shift lens or a lensbaby for special effects. Other than to admire your accidental handiwork (and suspect a serious fault with the lens of your Yashica), nothing much to do except maybe make comparisons with pinhole photography. And on that note, a pinhole camera is soft and fuzzy (in a positive way) right across the image, not just partially.

11-16-2017, 07:13 PM	#8
Swift1 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oregon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,079	That's definitely not right. I suspect something wrong with your lens. Your Yashica A has triplet lenses made by Tomioka, I have a Toyocaflex TLR that has basically the same lens, and mine never does that, wide open or stopped down.

11-16-2017, 09:34 PM	#9
arnold Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,299	Looks like a reversed lens to me.

11-18-2017, 07:41 AM	#10
dsmithhfx Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Toronto Posts: 5,154	Wish me luck with my Mamiyaflex c2. First roll in ~30-years (tri-x) came back from lab a month ago completely unexposed (probably) thanks to a sticky shutter. Fixed that Cleaning a Mamiya TLR lens \| iamthejeff Tried to load roll of hp5+ couple of weeks ago, but the film advance in the c2 is very futzy and I'd forgotten the procedure and somehow managed to wind through the roll without engaging the film stop release, at which point I realized I would need to manually re-spool the film and try again (either that or toss it and ten bucks + HST. Noooo!). Fast forward to today. Luckily I have an old changing bag, which I struggled with figuring out (it has a separate zippered liner the film has to go in else you can't touch it), then I struggled with the orientation of the film (I had wrongly assumed it is stuck to the backing) and after a few tries I got it re-spooled correctly (I think). Onwards to the film loading: by following this guide Film loading and advancing in Mamiyaflex C2 \| Twin Lens Reflex \| Flickr I got the stop release to engage at the same time as "1" appeared in the tiny, dim red peephole on the camera back. Wish me luck...

12-08-2017, 11:14 PM - 6 Likes	#11
murrelet Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Portland, OR, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 506 Original Poster	Wanted to follow-up with good news. I took the Yashica A back to the shop where I originally got it CLA'ed. It was still under warranty and when looking at the negatives, immediately identified the problem as a reversed lens. They fixed it and I had it back within the week. Ran a roll of Portra 400 through it, got it developed, and just got the scans this evening. Now I just need to get used to focusing and composing with the waist level finder and making sure I don't overshoot when I wind the film (like I did that first roll).

12-09-2017, 06:54 AM	#12
dsmithhfx Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Toronto Posts: 5,154	Originally posted by murrelet Wanted to follow-up with good news. I took the Yashica A back to the shop where I originally got it CLA'ed. It was still under warranty and when looking at the negatives, immediately identified the problem as a reversed lens. They fixed it and I had it back within the week. Ran a roll of Portra 400 through it, got it developed, and just got the scans this evening. Now I just need to get used to focusing and composing with the waist level finder and making sure I don't overshoot when I wind the film (like I did that first roll). Great shot of a pair of wild-looking buildings. What are they?

12-09-2017, 08:20 AM	#13
Bonner04 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Ventura, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 685	Nice when we hear of a good ending to camera woes.

12-09-2017, 08:39 PM	#14
murrelet Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Portland, OR, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 506 Original Poster	Originally posted by dsmithhfx Great shot of a pair of wild-looking buildings. What are they? Brand new office building. It's being marketed to the creative industry, i.e., hipsters. It is a fun building to photograph. But I do wonder how well the paint job will last over time.

12-11-2017, 04:09 PM	#15
Bonner04 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Ventura, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 685	Originally posted by murrelet Brand new office building. It's being marketed to the creative industry, i.e., hipsters. It is a fun building to photograph. But I do wonder how well the paint job will last over time. Another side of Portland (11th Ave., two weeks ago)...

TLR woes

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!