Removing the date function on a Yashica T4D

I had a backup Yashica T4D (date) which I tried to sell on eBay. I thought it worked, but the buyer did not, so I gave her a refund. I’m pretty sure it works, so I decided to disable the date function non-destructively, in case anyone wants to resurrect it. Turns out it’s really easy. You’ll need a small Phillips head screwdriver, some black electrical tape, and an Xacto (or similar) knife.

Open the film door and look at the film pressure plate (that bumpy plastic rectangle in the middle of the back door). There are four small Phillips head screws, one on each corner (circled in red in the photo above). Remove them.
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Cameras

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2012/10/03

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Arista.EDU Ultra 100 AKA Foma 100

McClures Beach, Point Reyes, California. Arista.EDU Ultra 100 120, Yashica-Mat, Rodinal 1:50

Here’s a keeper. It’s tough to throw out anything shot on 100 speed 120 film – the size is so great that you can’t miss as long as you have your exposure and focus right where you want them. But I shot some Arista.EDU Ultra 100 from Freestylephoto.biz which is rebadged Foma 100 recently, and I was thrilled with the outcome.
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Darkroom, Film, Film + Developer, Landscape, Outdoors, Process

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2012/09/05

4 Comments

Fotokemika/Efke/Adox Can No Longer Make Film

Whiz Burgers, Adox CHS 100 ART, San Francisco

Urban cowboy, Adox CHS 25, Canon EOS 1V, 50mm 1.0L

Freestyle Photo reported this on Twitter, and it’s on their home page, but I’ve seen nothing else about it (quoting from Freestyle):

Time for some bad news – We have officially been informed by Fotokemika/Efke, that due to a fatal breakdown in machinery, they will no longer be able to coat any more black and white films or papers. We are working with them to secure any small remaining quantities of product that they have in stock and will keep you updated.

(Note that not all films branded Adox are manufactured by Fotokemika, but most of them seem to be.)
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Film

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2012/09/04

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Stanley Greene on film photography and young photographers

The always-relevant John Sypal posted a link to this, including a funny anecdote about shooting film versus digital. It’s a good read, too short, and inspiring for anyone who enjoys real photography.

Look3 Report: Stanley Greene on Luck, Film and Supporting Young Photographers

Thanks to John for posting this on Tokyo Camera Style

Photographers, Process

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2012/06/14

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Welcome Home!

I feel like I should have had a cake waiting or something.

Uncategorized

2012/05/16

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Yoga practice: Part 1

Projects and assignments are great practice. When someone else gives you a brief and you decide to interpret it, and you have to deliver, you realize how buttoned up you are in some ways and how sloppy you are in other ways. You may also learn to improvise.

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Cameras, Film, Lenses, Uncategorized

2012/05/01

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No-name camera doesn’t work

For the love of ______. The unnamed camera will now be outed as a Yashica T4. I just got back a roll of color slide film I had processed at L&I (highly recommended if you’re in NYC). Nothing’s in sharp focus. It replaced a T4 Super which had started to behave badly. I tried to get that one fixed, but parts are no longer available. And now it joins the heap. 

Seriously–I love the Minolta lenses, but the bodies are so loud. Until I can get my Leicas fixed, I might dust off a Yashica GSN/GTN. Fingers crossed. I haven’t used them in a while…

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2012/04/25

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Broken Tower

I’m not superstitious, but it would be easy to think that I jinxed myself by posting about my broken cameras and specifically calling out my Tower/Nicca 3 as working. It is explicitly not working. I tried loading it on the walk to the subway this morning, then on the subway, then at my desk, and it’s just not taking up the film properly. I am now shooting with a point-and-shoot camera which I will not name for fear of it dying, too.

 

Uncategorized

2012/04/25

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Broken cameras

Cameras that do not work are completely useless. They sit on the shelf, dusty reminders of the format or fixed lens or funky aperture ring that you’re not using. My fiscally irresponsible reaction to every camera calamity has been very simple: replace it, and place the camera in the “broken” pile (actually neatly arranged clear plastic storage containers) for future repair.

Except there is no future repair. I fall in love with the new camera and use that one until it, too develops a temporarily-fatal flaw. If only it really were temporary.
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Uncategorized

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2012/04/24

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TMAX 100 (120) stand developed in Rodinal

Untitled

Early in March, we walked through Gowanus, toward a friend’s studio. I shot TMAX 100 in 120 size with my New Mamiya 6 (it’s not new–that’s really the name). Read more…

Darkroom, Film + Developer

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2012/04/11

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