Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

rwingsfan · 10-27-2013, 08:09 AM

Picked up a very nice Yashica FRII for $20 today at a thrift shop. Came with a Tamron adaptall 28mm, Tamron 2X, flash, Yashica winder, etc. Anyway I just wanted to pay around with a film camera but there seems to be a problem. There is no film or battery in it now. Should I not be able to advance the film lever and fire the shutter? In the film window is a red "S" and the lever will not budge. I posted this in the non-Pentax section first but got no replies so thought maybe ya'll could help.

garythesnail · 10-27-2013, 08:18 AM

Originally posted by rwingsfan

Picked up a very nice Yashica FRII for $20 today at a thrift shop. Came with a Tamron adaptall 28mm, Tamron 2X, flash, Yashica winder, etc. Anyway I just wanted to pay around with a film camera but there seems to be a problem. There is no film or battery in it now. Should I not be able to advance the film lever and fire the shutter? In the film window is a red "S" and the lever will not budge. I posted this in the non-Pentax section first but got no replies so thought maybe ya'll could help.

I'm not familiar with the Yashica, but it seems to be an 'electronic' camera, meaning that you'll need batteries in to activate the shutter.

Someone with some real knowledge will be along soon, I'm sure!

LesDMess · 10-27-2013, 08:29 AM

"Make sure the battery is installed properly. Without the battery, the shutter system and the exposure control of Your Yashica FR 11 will not function."
Yashica FR-II free instruction manual, user manual

rwingsfan · 10-27-2013, 09:43 AM

Originally posted by LesDMess

"Make sure the battery is installed properly. Without the battery, the shutter system and the exposure control of Your Yashica FR 11 will not function."
Yashica FR-II free instruction manual, user manual

Ahh, seems like other slr's I have had in the past would advance and the shutter would work, even without battery. I'll have to get a battery and check it out.

LesDMess · 10-27-2013, 01:28 PM

Yashica wanted to minimize camera shake with the FR series so they used a feather light electronic switch to go along with the electronically controlled shutter. I have the FR and this does seem to help in that respect. This was a collaboration between Contax (RTS) and Yashica (FR) resulting in the Contax/Yashica lens mount.

rt22306 · 10-29-2013, 04:04 PM

Originally posted by rwingsfan

Ahh, seems like other slr's I have had in the past would advance and the shutter would work, even without battery. I'll have to get a battery and check it out.

The other respondents are right on the mark; I've had an FR-II for 32 years. It will not allow the film advance lever to work without the battery. Spent $60 on a CLA and new foam a few years ago for mine, should last another 20. Enjoy your new find!

rwingsfan · 10-30-2013, 02:45 PM

Got a battery today and viola! Works like a charm.

10-27-2013, 08:09 AM	#1
rwingsfan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 274	Help with a Yashica FRII Picked up a very nice Yashica FRII for $20 today at a thrift shop. Came with a Tamron adaptall 28mm, Tamron 2X, flash, Yashica winder, etc. Anyway I just wanted to pay around with a film camera but there seems to be a problem. There is no film or battery in it now. Should I not be able to advance the film lever and fire the shutter? In the film window is a red "S" and the lever will not budge. I posted this in the non-Pentax section first but got no replies so thought maybe ya'll could help.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Cheap Yashica FRII info?	rwingsfan	Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands	0	10-26-2013 02:00 PM
Nature A mothers love...with a little help...	Nerdlinger	Post Your Photos!	4	07-03-2013 09:48 AM
Help: Yashica TL Electro X	L&D	Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands	14	01-03-2013 06:07 PM
HELP! Contax Yashica mount CY Lens to Pentax K	Hptx	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	8	06-03-2012 09:47 AM
Help! - Yashica Needs Repair	J.Scott	General Talk	3	11-16-2007 08:37 PM

10-27-2013, 08:18 AM	#2
garythesnail Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: South West Wales Photos: Albums Posts: 82	Originally posted by rwingsfan Picked up a very nice Yashica FRII for $20 today at a thrift shop. Came with a Tamron adaptall 28mm, Tamron 2X, flash, Yashica winder, etc. Anyway I just wanted to pay around with a film camera but there seems to be a problem. There is no film or battery in it now. Should I not be able to advance the film lever and fire the shutter? In the film window is a red "S" and the lever will not budge. I posted this in the non-Pentax section first but got no replies so thought maybe ya'll could help. I'm not familiar with the Yashica, but it seems to be an 'electronic' camera, meaning that you'll need batteries in to activate the shutter. Someone with some real knowledge will be along soon, I'm sure!

10-27-2013, 08:29 AM	#3
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	"Make sure the battery is installed properly. Without the battery, the shutter system and the exposure control of Your Yashica FR 11 will not function." Yashica FR-II free instruction manual, user manual

10-27-2013, 09:43 AM	#4
rwingsfan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 274 Original Poster	Originally posted by LesDMess "Make sure the battery is installed properly. Without the battery, the shutter system and the exposure control of Your Yashica FR 11 will not function." Yashica FR-II free instruction manual, user manual Ahh, seems like other slr's I have had in the past would advance and the shutter would work, even without battery. I'll have to get a battery and check it out.

10-27-2013, 01:28 PM	#5
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	Yashica wanted to minimize camera shake with the FR series so they used a feather light electronic switch to go along with the electronically controlled shutter. I have the FR and this does seem to help in that respect. This was a collaboration between Contax (RTS) and Yashica (FR) resulting in the Contax/Yashica lens mount.

10-29-2013, 04:04 PM	#6
rt22306 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 164	Originally posted by rwingsfan Ahh, seems like other slr's I have had in the past would advance and the shutter would work, even without battery. I'll have to get a battery and check it out. The other respondents are right on the mark; I've had an FR-II for 32 years. It will not allow the film advance lever to work without the battery. Spent $60 on a CLA and new foam a few years ago for mine, should last another 20. Enjoy your new find!

10-30-2013, 02:45 PM	#7
rwingsfan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 274 Original Poster	Got a battery today and viola! Works like a charm.

Help with a Yashica FRII

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!