This was the last camera I bought a little while ago and I am not buying any more until I have thinned down the ones I have no intention of using and begin focusing on a core set of cameras (unless my dream camera appears at a shockingly low price!).
Anyway, this is the Yashica-44 which is easily confused with the Yashica-44. Yep, Yashica released two cameras with that name but they are slightly different and the later one, which replaced this one, is commonly known as the 44a.
This, the original version, has a crank wind, shutter speed up to 1/500 and a bayonet mount for filters; it’s a really good package. However, this competed with another Yashica TLR which had almost the exact same spec but at a different price point and when Yashica realized their mistake they down graded this by removing the crank in favour of a knob, reduced the shutter speed and took away the filter mount. They kept the model name the same so, if you are looking at these, as well as the above feature changes, one way to identify the later ‘a’ version is the name plate on the front has a number of short vertical lines just below the Yashica-44 name which some liken to teeth.
The 44 came in a range of fashionable two-tone colours including black, blue, rose pink and this colour grey being the most popular; it has been said that Yashica were copying a Rollieflex Baby which also came in a grey and was a similar size/configuration.
On initial receipt of this camera the shutter was sticking open like you were permanently in bulb mode, cocking the shutter closed it but on operating it it just opened and stayed there. After a couple of days of playing with it though it loosened up again and all was fine.
It takes 127 film which may not very readily available but my local camera shop does stock it so I am lucky there. You end up with 4cm x 4cm negatives (hence the 44).
| Make | Model | Film/format | Year | Lens | Shutter | Aperture |
| Yashica | 44 | 127
TLR |
c1958 | 60mm 1:3.5 | B, ½, ¼, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250 and 1/500 | F3.5 -22 |
Loading the film is a bit of a procedure; first you fit the spools it (empty one on the bottom) then you wind until the START lines up with a couple of markers. Then close the door and crank the film so that the 1 is in the red window. As this camera is somewhat indexed you don’t use the red window once the film is properly loaded apart from this initial step. Next you press the little button just below the winding handle to set the counter at 1. Now you are ready.
Winding on does not cock the shutter so you have to remember to do that; double exposures is an easy mistake to make. Remembering whether you wound on last or took a shot last is just a habit that you’d need to get into so you either always wind on after a shot or you always wind on just before a shot (I think I favour the former).
The crank only turns about two thirds of the way round so it’s an easy crank and release process to move the film on (with the crank returning to the start when released). Once the counter reaches the end you just keep cranking until the film is off the spool.
First time using this camera didn’t go well. I must have not loaded the film correctly as halfway through it got harder to wind on and eventually seized. When I got it home and into a dark room (not quite a darkroom) I found the film had come off the spool and was trying to wrap back around on itself. No shots came from that film.
The second attempt was much better and I found the camera lovely to use. The viewfinder is nice and bright and the quick action on the winding crank is great. The only thing I didn’t like was that the focus is on the left so I often had to switch hands as I naturally went the other way. I am sure this is just something to get used to.
The camera came with a case in matching grey and is in great condition; as is the camera itself. Unfortunately in the short time of using this some of the stitching has broken opening up one of the seams; I will have to restitch it at some point.
I took it out on a recent visit to the pier at Manhattan Beach and I am very happy with the results. This may not be a regular shooter for me (due to the film availability) but it will certainly come out every now and again.
It’s a nice looking camera too so will enjoy and prime location on the shelf.
View from the Carrot Room 
October 20, 2017 at 10:23 am
If I had a reliable source of not-too-expensive 127 film I’d so buy one of these. I love my medium-format Yashica TLRs and I’m sure I’d love the 44 too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 20, 2017 at 10:28 am
It’s a really cute little thing, I like the crank action on the winder and the whole package has all that you would need. Film availability and cost is the issue so it will only come out on special occasions 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 20, 2017 at 12:05 pm
Another lovely little classic, you lucky man!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 20, 2017 at 12:18 pm
Lucky that I bought it I guess 😀
LikeLike
October 20, 2017 at 6:02 pm
Nice stuff. I love my Y44 (the knob version, not the crank). Two questions… Which camera shop near you stocks 127 (I live in Burbank). And, do you have scanner inserts for 127, or did a lab do your scans?
And BTW, you can buy cutters that will slice down 120 to 127. I can now run Ektar, Portra, even Velvia through my little beast!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 20, 2017 at 9:20 pm
HI James. Check out Cam Photo on Glenoaks http://www.camphotobur.com/ They are really friendly and helpful. At the moment I am getting the lab to scan my photos (well the medium format ones anyway) Haven’t tried slicing as I have been just buying it off the shelf (life’s too short :P)
BTW if you meet up with any other local photographers let me know I’d love to get out with some new faces.
LikeLike
October 21, 2017 at 7:19 pm
Yes, I know Henry and gang at Cam Photo. Didn’t realize they sold 127, though… it must be the Rerapan…? I’ve heard that Film Ferrania managed to salvage their 127 machinery, so I’m hopeful we may get some different fresh stock some day.
I’m working in Toronto for a few weeks, then back home to Burbank in December. I’ll let you know if I hear of any meetups.
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 23, 2017 at 12:12 pm
Yes I think it is Rerapan I will double check as I don’t have any around at the moment
LikeLike
October 23, 2017 at 2:19 pm
Also, don’t know what your budget is, but there is currently a limited supply of 127 chrome film on the FPP store website. I snagged a few because fresh 127 stock is so rare.
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 1, 2021 at 11:57 am
Hi, hope you still check these comments. Did you ever have the jamming issue again? I think im having this issue and just wondered if you had any advice. For some reason it jams and it always feels as though it’s an issue with the new reel and not the take spool or mechanism.
Regards
LikeLike
March 1, 2021 at 12:34 pm
Hi Yes, I do still check 🙂 No I have not had this happen again though I rarely use this camera. Not really sure what to advise. What do you do to resolve? Do you take the roll out and re-insert and it’s better?
LikeLike
March 1, 2021 at 1:25 pm
Thanks. I’ve tried 3 rolls, a commercial 127 roll and 2 cut down 120 rolls. The 127 roll jammed right at the end so I hand rolled to the end. The 1st cut roll tore the film 😱. The last one freed itself as soon as I opened the back.
However after reading your article I do now wonder if the curved silver friction strips behind the reels are out of shape.
LikeLike