Yashica FR
Unremarkably simple!
Well, would you look at this thing? This is my first ever film camera, a humble Yashica SLR. It's got a certain charm, don't you think? I love the worn-in look, especially the patina from years of camera straps.
I actually got this camera when I wasn't even interested in film photography. It sat in a drawer for a while until I stumbled upon some old film rolls in the attic. I was curious, so I popped them into the Yashica and, to my surprise, it still worked! All it needed was a battery.
This camera is incredibly simple. You've got your shutter speed dial, aperture ring on the lens, ISO dial, battery check light, film counter, self-timer, flash hot shoe, lens release button, and a depth-of-field preview lever. That's about it. Unfortunately, it lacks a thread in the shutter button to mount a cable release.
The lens on this camera is a Yashica DSB 50mm f/1.9, and it's a real gem. It's sharp, has beautiful bokeh, and it's a joy to use. I've even adapted it to my digital camera and used it for some very pleasant results.
The light meter is simple and pretty reliable for what it is! Conveniently, the shutter speed is shown in the viewfinder and while the aperture is supposed to as well, the aperture indexing doesn't work. But hey, it's a cheap, simple camera, so we can't expect too much.
The only other lens I have for this camera is a cheap zoom lens that's not worth mentioning. It's hazy, full of fungus, and just plain terrible.
While the Yashica FR isn't the most advanced camera, it holds a special place in my heart. It's a reminder of how I got started on my film photography journey. And goddamn that patina looks good. Itβs also really cheap.
Would I recommend it? I mean sure, for $5. It takes pictures.
