C41
Kodak Portra 400
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
View profile35mm SLR
Yashica J1959
- Format
- 35mm
- Mount
- M42
- Years
- 1959–
- Shutter
- 1s – 1/500s
The Yashica J (1959) is the founding member of Yashica's J-series 35mm SLR line, built around the M42 screwmount standard that was rapidly becoming the de facto interoperable mount for Japanese and European manufacturers in the late 1950s. The camera is fully mechanical, requires no battery, and carries no built-in light meter - exposure is determined externally or by experience. The shutter is a cloth horizontal focal-plane design running from 1 second to 1/500s plus Bulb, with X-sync flash at approximately 1/25s.
Reference
Find film for your Yashica J
Recommended film stocks for the 35mm format your camera takes.
ISO 400
BW
Kodak Tri-X 400
Kodak Tri-X 400 is a classic black-and-white film known for strong tonality, visible grain, and documentary character.
View profileC41
Kodak Gold 200
Kodak Gold 200 is a daylight-balanced C-41 color negative film with warm color, moderate grain, and a classic consumer-film look.
Develop 35mm film
Labs in our directory that process 35mm film.
Before you buy used
- **Rarity**: The J is less commonly encountered on the used market than the J-3 or J-5, partly because it predates the period when surviving examples were well documented. Expect lower prices but also fewer parts cameras available for reference.
- **Shutter cloth**: Horizontal cloth shutters of this vintage are prone to pinholes. Inspect with a light source through the open back with the shutter cocked and fired at all speeds.
- **Slow speeds**: The 1-second and B settings depend on a speed retarder that gums up with dried lubricant over 60+ years. A complete CLA (clean, lubricate, adjust) is advisable on any example that hasn't been recently serviced.
- **Mirror bumper foam**: Standard deterioration on all examples; the original foam becomes adhesive tar. Pre-cut replacement kits are inexpensive and widely available.
- **Light seals**: Door and hinge seals require replacement on virtually every unrestored example.
- **Viewfinder**: Check for haze, fungus on the fresnel or condenser elements, and prism silvering loss. The last manifests as dark blotches and is cosmetically distracting but does not affect mechanical function.
- Bodies in working condition typically fetch $20-80 depending on condition and included lens. The J's obscurity relative to the Spotmatic can result in underpricing.
About this camera
The original M42 J-series body - Yashica's 1959 entry into the screwmount SLR era.
Key Specs
Frequently asked questions
- What film does the Yashica J use?
- The Yashica J shoots 35mm film.
- What lens mount does the Yashica J have?
- The Yashica J uses the M42 mount.
- What shutter speeds does the Yashica J offer?
- The Yashica J's shutter speeds range from 1s to 1/500s.