Yashica Minister D

At about the same time as the Yashica Lynx series, Yashica also issued the Minister models. The latter was meant for mid-market users, as Yashica’s home-brewed 35mm rangefinder that replaced the Nicca-based Y models but at a favourable price point. The Minister series debuted between 1960 and 1966 and were followed by the Electro models. The Ministers were well made, paired with superb lenses, and were easy-to-use, no-nonsense cameras that beginners and advanced users could handle.

There were five generations, from the original 1960 Minister, now referred to as Minister I, to the Minister III of 1966, with Minister D and 700 of 1964 thrown in between, an identical pair save for different lenses.

	Minister (I)	2.8/45 1.9/45	Copal SLV	Selenium No battery	1960	AKA Yashica M
	Minister II	2.8/45 1.9/45	Copal SLV	Selenium No battery	1962	AKA Yashica M2
	Minister III	2.8/45	Copal SLV	Selenium No battery	1966	AKA Yashica M3, Meter around lens
	Minister D	2.8/45 1.8/45	Copal SLV	CdS 625 battery	1964
	Minister 700	1.7/45	Copal	CdS 625 battery	1964	Same as Minister D, but 1.7 lens
	All Minister models speeds are B, 1-500

The Minister models seem to have been popular at inception and held the same till now, judging by the vast number of online articles about it. See links at the end of the table below.

The I, II and III used selenium meters with a top-mounted meter lens, suggesting EV-LV number. The value is matched with markings on the front ring on the lens barrel, where values are marked red. Once the user sets the shutter speed and aperture values combination, changing either carries matching compensation of the other. No battery is needed, so the camera is always ready. The D and 700 versions had a CdS meter lens by the viewer, with a similar meter value reading lens on the top fascia. The D and 700 models need a battery to operate the meter, a #625, which is no longer unavailable. An AG13 battery within a piece of cut ½” PEX tube happily replaces the 625.

Much like other camera makers, Yashica had a variety of marking/naming conventions for the cameras. Identifying the models is easy; the ‘I’ had a stepped front window line, with the front meter lens slightly lower than the viewer. The ‘II’ had both at the same level and the ‘III’ had the meter lens circling the taking lens; hence no need to compensate for filters.

The Ministers had twin sisters, the Yashica M, M II and M III, probably for different markets.

Good to know – the meter activates by pushing the red button at the back.

The model on my desk is the Yashica Minister D. It looks and feels as you may imagine a classic film camera, with all settings where you expect them to be. It is a 61-year-old apparatus that is as elegant and up-to-date as a modern camera. The camera buzzes and hums as an eager kid, evidence of Yashica’s legendary quality, or as John Kantymir, may his soul rest in peace, once said: you cannot go wrong with Yashica.

• The solid body is all metal, well-built and immaculately finished.
• The top has the lever winder, with a very long travel, I would guess at 230°. It takes getting used to it, and the strong spring may hit your finger if you let go before fully cocked.
• The frame counter is at the edge by the winder, and it self-resets upon closing the back.
• The film speed knurled dial is by the trigger, marked ASA, but it takes good eyesight to read.
• The meter value viewer lens is large and easy to read. It shows EV/LV numbers, a scale that changes with the film speed. A zebra lines fan directs to a slot where the meter needle hovers, suggesting which LV to use.
• The top also carries a cold accessory shoe and a fold-up rewind crank.
• From the left, the back has a red button that activates the meter, the viewer window, and a plastic cover that conceals the rangefinder mirror adjustment.
• The viewer is large and clear, with a good patch and a live parallax frame that moves with the focusing change.
• The lens assembly contains:
  • Closest to the body is the focusing dial. It has a very long travel, easing precise focusing. The finger rest of previous models is missing.
  • The next ring is the aperture value, which is locked with the shutter speed ring just in front of it. A serrated ring in between is used to change the values.
  • At the front is the LV dial, with values marked red. Match the value here to the value suggested in the meter reading lens.
  • To set the desired shutter/aperture combination, set the aperture first, then select the LV dial. Both aperture and shutter speed will change in unison.
  • Synch selector fin marked X/M.
  • The timer activation fin is at the bottom of the lens barrel.
• The bottom cover has the rewind clutch release, the mounting thread, the battery compartment cover and the back lock release. The latter takes fingernail acrobatics, pushing the tab toward the ‘O’ mark and then pushing it in.
• Inside is a clean film cartridge compartment, film path track, double cog film feeder and a good-sized, easy-to-use take-off spool. A back-mounted pressure plate.

For the collector, it is a typical era camera, better made than the average offered at the time. It is worth having and is available at a modest price. For the shooter, it is somewhat limited due to the cumbersome LV settings, yet an able shooter if found in good working order.