May with Film - Through the Looking Glass with the Yashica 635

May with film

Through the Looking Class with the Yashica 635

If there wasn’t a more aesthetically-pleasing contraption encased in a beautiful metal housing to capture images in 120mm and 35mm film formats, it's the Yashica 635. Twin lens reflex cameras (or TLRs) are iconic in its design. The bokeh is sharp with swirly depth-of-field, according to reviewers. It's withstood half a century of use and storage. To an extent, the focus view is almost similar to how the Polaroid Land cameras focus. Could there be some connection? It’s a bulky and heavy camera that some may be shy to bring out in today's smartphone camera age, but I bet you, that you will pique the attention of quite a few people. These beasts can capture quality shots that are worthy or better those on DSLRs.

This camera’s operation is mechanical so no battery is required save for the flash, which requires AA batteries. Although I have yet to try loading film, it seems very straightforward and doesn’t require any particular skills and technique. Although I think the 35mm adaptor may need some careful attention when installing and loading 35mm film. Looking down into the waistfinder view, it’s a real joy when that chunky depth of field knob turns to reveal a very creamy and sharp view of your subject. Although, bright light makes it difficult to see the image through the glass so a little tilting and neck-angling does the trick. Although you'd think that I would have tried shooting manually on a 35mm film camera like my Olympus OM-1, this will be my first time to shoot manually - on a mechanical camera.

While I've taken a few shots already, it’s almost hard to realise a photo has been taken when the shutter release button is so… unclimactic. It almost makes me second-guess if I have taken a photo. It’s so quietly stealthy despite the big look. I’m excited to see the results and hope I've taken a few quality and creamy shots.