The Yashicaflex Model C

In September I picked up a Yashicaflex model C camera. After a long period of thinking about how I wanted to get into medium format I decided to get a TLR camera from the 1950s, for two main reasons; the first is that these old cameras are cheap compared to something like a Mamiya RB series or a Hasselblad, so if I didn't like square format or the camera was dead on arrival than it wasn't a huge loss. The second reason was that I really liked the ergonomics of a TLR. The huge, top-mounted viewfinder was unlike any other camera I owned, and hanging it from my neck, cradling this antique in my hands, and staring down and out the viewing lens felt incredible to shoot with.

I found the camera on eBay for $80, it wasn't in the best condition, and the viewing mirror was exceptionally corroded, but the shutter opened cleanly and seemed accurate so I took a chance. Once I had the camera I replaced the ground glass focusing screen, and viewing mirror and fixed the focusing knob which was slipping.

For the first few rolls I was using a light meter app on my phone, I wasn't sure that the app was accurate or the camera. Either way, I pressed on and shot 2 rolls of Fuji Pro 400H on a Saturday afternoon. I think the results turned out pretty good.