In part one of this post I documented how I had bought a Yashica FX-2 in a Goodwill store for $9.99 only to find that the lens was stuck on f1.9 and the 1/1000 second shutter speed didn’t work. I ended that post saying that I was looking for a lens that worked. Well I found one: a 50mm f1.7 ML (a much better lens than the one on the FX-2 even when it worked properly). This one also came with a Yashica FX-3 body attached, two additional lenses (a 45-75mm ML zoom and a 50mm f2 ML) , a flash, a nice camera case, a camera bag and some manuals. All for $5.99. The leatherette has come off the body (I believe a common problem with old Yashicas and even the much more expensive Contaxs). It leaves a kind of fuzzy covering that I don’t find unpleasant. I can always recover it if I feel the need. There’s also a ding on the filter ring of the 50mm f1.7 lens that doesn’t seem to affect it’s performance although it does make it difficult/impossible to put screw-in filters on. The light seals look as if they will need replacing at some point.

So much for cosmetics. Does the thing actually work? Or does it have hidden problems like the FX-2. I took it out to try it and I’m pleased to say that it works perfectly. I tried all the shutter speeds, and all the aperture settings. Everything works fine. The focus is smooth. No light leaks. The results are below. Any failings with the pictures are the fault of the photographer and not the camera. I used a ten year old roll of Kodak Gold 200 that I found in a box while cleaning out the garage, had processed an scanned and then converted to black and white myself.


Urn


Bench


Rock Face


Toy Turtle on a Rock


Trellis


Fallen Tree


Grasses


Bridge to the lake


Flower

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