Yashica MG-1 (1975)

Yashica MG-1 (1975)

#401

This photo is from the copy I own

History and technical features 

This is a typical fixed lens 35mm rangefinder from the 1970s, but with a body on the large side. The lens is a fixed Yashinon 45/2.8 which focuses from about 1m to infinity and takes 55mm filters. The aperture priority exposure system is measured by a CdS meter above the lens. CdS metering requires batteries. Two LEDs on the top of the body indicate slow speed and over-exposure. The camera was available with either a black or chrome body.

Source: camerapedia


Specifications

...the MG-1 is an interesting model. It appeared in 1975 and seems to have been the end of the line. The MG-1 was produced in both a chrome & black finish. The placement of the light sensor within the lens barrel made it possible as in the CC / CCN, to automatically adjust exposure with filters in place. This is visible as a small circle within the top & center of the lens barrel. A feature of this arrangement which is overlooked, is the inability to obtain a correct exposure indication, if one forgets to remove the lens cap. Come on now, 'fess up....who hasn't lost a shot with an RF when a lens cap was mistakenly left on during an exposure. The lens has a maximum aperture of ƒ:2.8   with a focal length of 45mm. This highly colour corrected lens has 5 elements in 4 groups.

Source: yashica-guy.com

It also comes with the usual silver metal finish.
Type: 35mm Rangefinder Film Camera with aperture priority auto exposure only. Released in 1975. It came out in both chrome or black body versions

Lens: Yashinon 45 mm f2.8. The focus range is from 1 m to infinity. Marked in both feet and metres. 4 elements in three groups. Filter size 55mm.

Viewfinder: Viewfinder combined with a rangefinder. Bright frame with no parallax correction. Magnification 0.59x. Red and yellow exposure indicator arrows visible through the viewfinder. When lightly pressing the shutter button a red light indicates overexposure. Yellow light means that although exposure will be correct a slow shutter speed will be used meaning the camera must be held steady and it is best to use a tripod.

EE Mechanism: Built-in exposure meter with CdS “Top-Eye” cell for automatic exposure control. Shutter speed priority system.

Film Speeds: ASA 25 to 800 / Adjustment on a ring at front of the lens.

Battery: 1 x 5.6v mercury battery (no longer available). (Eveready E164, Mallory PX32, or equivalent). Without a battery, the shutter free runs at 1/500 second so the camera cannot be used. You can also use 4 x 1.5v alkaline or silver oxide button cells stacked together and taped. Or a 6v L28.
There is no manual control of the shutter speed.
Shutter: Leaf Shutter. Speeds range from 2 seconds to 1/500 of a second. Automatically sets aperture, self-cocking combined film/shutter wind, and x synchronization. There is no B setting for long time exposures. However, the Copal shutter is stepless and so does not stick to the standard speeds of 1/500, 1/250 of a second and so on. Instead, it picks any speed to best suit the available light and aperture combination. Although the manual states the camera’s auto exposure can go down to 2 seconds in poor light, in reality, it can easily run for much longer. Mine goes for about 20 seconds.

Self Timer: Yes. Runs for 7 seconds.

Flash Contact: an Accessory shoe with direct contact plus conventional flash socket.
Flash. Shutter speed automatically sets to 1/30 second when the Auto Lever is adjusted to “flash”.

Film Advance: Single stroke approx. 180 degrees.

Film Counter: Resets automatically.

Size: 140 x 72 x 82mm

Weight: 620g

Source: rangefinder-cameras.com


Model

Black model. Serioal number 61220061


Reference sites

camerapedia

rangefinder-cameras.com

yashica-guy.com


Manual

English manual


Batteries

L26 6v. battery

Film


Pictures taken with this machine


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