Yashica FR-II
Yashica FR-II
Yashica FR-II user manual
Yashica FR-II current value
Yashica’s third group of compact SLR, the FR and FX cameras, came to compete with the Canons and the Pentax SLRs. The Yashica RF was first in this line, a shutter priority, a stripped-down version of the popular Contax RTS. It was followed by the FR-I, an aperture priority or manual, and after that came the FR-II, a fully automatic camera. Further, this model has a stepless shutter, as in the Yashica MG-1 and the Electro line or the Pentax ES II.
The market was saturated with similar cameras by all Japanese makers, where the K1000 and the AE-1 lead the pack. I have no sales figures, but I suspect sales were not stellar.
The camera is simple to use if you don’t mind the weight. It is on par with the German models of that time, heavier than most the Japanese equivalents. First, set the ASA speed by lifting the dial around the rewind button. The dial around it sets over / under exposure to cheat the automatic exposure. Push right the slide at the back, just under the winding lever, which will activate the meter needle in the viewer, and you are good to go. The speed options are auto, flash sync, and B. Nothing much to worry about. A hefty battery can be checked via a button by the rewind dial, where the meter needle comes alive. To activate the self-timer, press the tiny point hidden behind it. The timer delay depends on how much you pull the lever.
List number | 3514 |
Brand | Yashica |
Format | 35mm |
Model | FR II |
Introduced | 1978 |
AKA | |
Qty made | |
Country | Japan |
Type | Compact SLR |
Body material | Metal |
Mode | Auto |
Weight | 670 gr, Body only |
Class average weight | 590 gr, Body only |
ASA range | 12-3200 |
Kit lens | 1.9/50 |
Lens make | Yashica |
Filter size | 52 mm |
Lens mount | Bayonet |
Mount size | Contax / Yashica (C/Y) |
Aperture | |
shutter | Focal plane cloth horizontal, stepless |
Light meter | TTL |
Winder | Lever |
Lock | No |
Speeds | B, sync, 4/-1000, stepless |
DOF preview | No |
Exposure lock | No |
Exposure compensation | Yes |
Shoe | Hot |
External sync | X |
Sync speed | |
Timer | Yes |
Battery | 4LR 44 |
Battery style | |
Battery voltage | 3V |
Integral flash | None |
Other |