Serial Numbers

Contents

(Scroll down or click on links)

Acknowledgement
Serial Number Patterns
Decoding Serial Numbers

Serial Numbers from 1957 to 1960
Serial Numbers from 1961 to 1980
7 Digit Numbers - Correlation to Model Release and End Dates
The Yashica Spares System Theory - the Impact on Serial Numbers
Do These Patterns and Date Codes Exist for Other Format Yashica Models?

Serial Numbers Found - All TLR Models
Location of Body Serial Numbers

Acknowledgement

The working out of the date codes and serial number patterns for the TLRs and some of the non-SLRs presented here is entirely my own work. Contributor Chris Whelan worked out that the YE rangefinder and Pentamatic SLR also used date codes but the implementation was a little different to the other models. Together, we solved the YF and other SLR patterns until from late 1968, they again followed the TLR system (the cut-off for our investigations was the introduction of the Contax RTS and the Contax/Yashica mount). The reason I say this is that in late 2017, I have become aware that an unknown Chinese person solved the puzzle, certainly for post 1960 non-SLRs, including TLRs, at least as long ago as August 2006. That is the date of an archived post on Rangefinderforum.com discussing Electro 35 serial numbers where a forum member presented a crude Google translation of the date code theory he had found on a Chinese website. If the forum members had shown less negativity and more imagination and willingness to investigate, they would have got past the translation problems and saved me a ton of work! In 2006, I hadn't acquired my first Yashica yet so the unknown contributor to the Chinese website must get at least some recognition for working out the idea of a date code first.

(Back to Contents)

Serial Number Patterns

Originally, body serial numbers were generally consecutive within a model's production, although sometimes the numbers jumped, or increased digits, at some significant point. The first exception is the first model, the Pigeonflex! Following the first few examples in my database, the body serial numbers dropped some 40,000. The Yashicaflex AS-II is another exception with a short series in the 30xxx range, then from 81xxx to 83xxx followed by a new series from 19xxx to 23xxx. The MolfoReflex has three unrelated serial number ranges. Serial numbers were not consecutive model to model, usually. Two possible exceptions are from Yashima Flex to Yashica Flex B (there may have been a minor jump by about 2,000 or so) and from Yashica Mat-124 to Yashica Mat-124G where the numbers appear to continue on. However, in the latter case, production switched from one model to the other and the appearance of continuity is given by the numbers based on a date code (see below).

As the “Yashica” models came into play, things became interesting with odd sequences, some earlier numbers having more digits than later ones. The numbers seemed to be most confusing in the 1957 to 1960 period after which cameras still in production adopted serial numbers with prefixes and settled into a more logical progression again. The affected models are the Yashica A, B, D and 635 and Yashica-Mat at, or towards, the beginning of their production, the Yashicaflex A (new model) and B (new model), Yashica C and LM at the end of their production and the second two thirds of Yashica 44 and first half of 44A and 44LM production. Yashica also opened their New York office in 1957 - is the new numbering system somehow linked, or a complete coincidence?

As an example, the Yashica A begins with 5 digit numbers, then changes to 6 digit numbers beginning with 79, then changes to 8 digit numbers starting with 5710, followed by 7 digit numbers beginning with 584. Then there are 8 digit numbers beginning with 3810 followed by 7 digit numbers beginning with 391 and then 8 digit again with 3910. These are followed by 6 digit numbers beginning with 61. And then there is the 9 digit 116110451. Similar patterns are found with the other models in this period and usually, the first few digits are the same across the models.

The final block of Yashica A numbers have an “A” prefix. However, the second (from the left) digit of the “A” numbers rarely is higher than “0” and never more than “1” so that there will be for example A 20xxxxx and A 21xxxxx but never A 22xxxxx, the next number being in the A 30xxxxx range. This happens with all the alpha prefixed numbers for all models and also occurs with the unprefixed 7 digit numbers of the Yashica Mat-124 and Yashica Mat-124G. Finally, the solution has hit me in the face - see below:

The Yashica 635 changed its alpha prefix from ST to SX. When the numbers appeared to run out, the Yashica Mat-124G changed from a 7 digit series, with the “0” and “1” pattern noted above, to a new 6 digit series with no “0” and “1” pattern.

Lens numbers began logically but there are some other oddities too. Early in the piece, the Yashica Flex B seems to have started with six digit numbers and then changed to a new series with 5 digits. Some later cameras seem to have blocks of numbers issued almost randomly. Even if there is consistency, it is not unusual for a later camera to have slightly earlier lens numbers than the cameras immediately before it. Generally, the ranges for taking lenses and viewing lenses are the same and often, particularly with earlier cameras the numbers are in close proximity.

To me, there are three issues which contribute to the difficulty with serial numbers. The most obvious problem is that for a time, Yashica used a system that made sense to it but until now, we didn't have the key to decipher - we could get a picture of the correct order from trim and detail changes but not understand the reasoning. The second problem is that serial numbers were pre-stamped on peripheral parts that were delivered separately to the production line and presumably there was more than one line. It's obvious how body numbers, taking lens and viewing lens numbers can easily get out of sequence with each other, if allowed to (not generally the case with bodies), which brings us to the third issue - I don't think keeping lens numbers in sequence was a high priority, certainly at certain times of production. Or, at least that is how it has seemed to me for a long time but with some models with really mixed up lens numbers, mainly in the mid-50's period, it now seems that there may have been up to three different number series being used at the same time. In the end, the numbers disappeared from first, the viewing lenses and then the taking lenses.

(Back to Contents)

Decoding Serial Numbers

As noted above, the early cameras used consecutive number sequences, usually unique but not always.

I believe that serial numbers from September 1957 to February 1980 contain a date code and that I have deciphered that, bit obvious with hindsight really. However, even if I am 100% wrong, by strange coincidence or otherwise, my system will allow you to date a camera from that period to within 12 months of what my database, model release dates and across-the-board trim changes predict.

The key is that with alpha prefixed and late 7 digit serial numbers, not only is the second digit from the left never higher than “1”, the second and third digit together are always in the range “01” to “12”. How simple is that? The step to seeing year and sequence numbers is not great, I have been numbering my digital files since 2005 with year, month and 4 digit sequence codes. With the earlier numbers, the pattern is similar but mostly, the month numbers are “1” to “12” so that at “9”, numbers are 7 digit but at “10”, they become 8 digit. There are some variations with the pre-1961 numbers and the year codes are “interesting” - that is where I believe the guess work is.

The last 4 digits of date coded numbers are, I believe, a sequence number which simply counts monthly production, e.g. “1265” represents the 1,265th camera made that month.

This is how I believe the numbers from 1957 to 1980 operate but you will have to read the following sections to understand the logic and how to apply that knowledge.

Model Identifier Year Month Monthly Count from Zero
Nothing, 2 digits or alpha sequence
1 or 2 digits
1 or 2 digits
4 digits

 

(Back to Contents)

Serial Numbers from 1957 to 1960

The September 1957 to December 1960 models used 6 digits, 8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 6 and some briefly (the Yashica 44LM not so briefly), 9 digits. Sometimes the combinations were slightly different. At this stage, I think that I understand the patterns and month codes but for the year codes, I will need to make some educated guesses based on observation of a lot of serial numbers. Two assumptions I will be making are that the last 4 digits on the right are a production sequence number, starting at “1” each month, and that all the preceding digits to the left are year and month codes, except in one case (the last numbers in the series) where there is also a model code.

September 1957 to December 1959

Until September 1957, each model had a straightforward and mostly unique consecutive number series with the odd jump, up or down, here and there. Then almost simultaneously, all models in production received a new 6 digit numbering system beginning with “79” (perhaps not the rare Japanese market Yashicaflex A which had just been released in August). If there is a date code, the first digit could represent 1957 and the digit “9” could represent September.

This applied to the Yashica A, C, LM, Yashica-Mat and Yashicaflex B. As new models were introduced, they picked up on the apparent date patterns that followed except for the Yashica 635 and Yashica 44 introduced in June 1958 and the Yashica D introduced in November 1958, the first two seeming to initially start with their own discrete 5 digit and the D with 6 digit consecutive series before switching to what looks like a 1958 date code (only the first two examples of the Yashica D in my database have 6 digit numbers, both starting with “58” which could mean 1958, or not).

Back to 1957. Still during September, the Yashica-Mat year numbers changed from “7” to “57” so that the earlier numbers in the month are 79xxxx and later numbers are 579xxxx. Other models seemed to change with October, their numbers becoming 5710xxxx, except that there is one early October Yashica A with 710xxxx and the Yashica LM continued all through October and into November with 711xxxx numbers before the first 5711xxxx numbers arrived. As expected from a date code system, the numbers for models using this system top out at 5712xxxx.

Note that the Yashicaflex B (new model) adopted the new “79” 7 digit numbering system initially but the next range of numbers have different numerical prefixes to other models although the schema looks familiar. By this stage, the prefixes are shared with the Yashicaflex A (new model). Both are domestic Japanese models and the last of the Yashicaflexes and could have been given their own series for some reason. The two Yashicaflexes have numbers ranging from 3210xxxx to 3212xxxx. The numbers seem to imply October to December and seem to align with the 5710xxxx to 5712xxxx numbers of other models. Fast forward a couple of years and it suddenly became clear to me from a Japanese blog site decoding Yashica YE and YF serial numbers that the Yashicaflex numbers were using the Japanese calendar (I'm slow); 1957 = Showa 32 (the Shōwa era, Enlightened Peace, was the reign of Emperor Hirohito).

Strangely, a Yashicaflex A (new model) has turned up with a 329xxxx. By lens number, it comes before the 3210xxxx numbers suggesting that it might be a September number - perhaps the change from 79xxxx to 329xxxx numbers happened in the middle of the month. This is much the same as the Yashica-Mat anomaly mentioned above - in that sense it is consistent.

January 1958 to September 1958

What I assume are 1958 Yashica numbers are back down to 7 digits and range from 581xxxx to 589xxxx with “58” equating to 1958 and “1” to “9” representing January to September. Seemingly logical. The two Yashicaflexes have similar pattern numbers but the first two digits are “33” which fits Showa 33 for 1958. They go up to “338xxxx”, I assume August.

September 1958 to December 1958

The next 15 months requires a real leap of faith to believe that there is a date code. The 1958 numbers appear to have made it to September (“58” for Yashicas and “33” for Yashicaflexes). However, also beginning in September 1958, all models moved to “38” for 1958. So September 1958 numbers can be 7 digit numbers 589xxxx for Yashicas, 339xxxx for Yashicaflexes or 389xxxx for either variety. The new 7 digit numbers only appeared for part of one month and so far I have only found Yashica-Mat, Yashicaflex B and Yashica 44 examples. Why “3” instead of “5”? My guess is that Yashica was trying to get a little tricky with disguising its production details, the “3” possibly coming from the Showa date and the “8” from 1958. Logically and in a similar pattern to 1957, the October to December numbers appear to be 8 digit numbers 3810xxxx to 3812xxxx.

January 1959 to December 1959

1959 serial numbers seem to start with a familiar 7 digit pattern, 391xxxx to 399xxxx which I interpret to mean 1959, January to September. Why “39” instead of “59” or “49” combining the Japanese and western calendars? Well the “3” might be from Showa 34 and the “9” from 1959. Then come the familiar 8 digit numbers but only for October, 3910xxxx. October also seems to bring a change to a new “4” prefix instead of “39”. Presumably, this is shorthand for Showa 34 by itself. These numbers range from 410xxxx to 412xxxx, what I believe to be the typical October to December pattern.

January 1960 to September 1960

Every model in production at the time had a bunch of similar 6 digit numbers beginning with “6”. These ranged from 61xxxx to 69xxxx. By their trim, they are undoubtedly 1960 cameras. I interpret these numbers to be “6” for 1960 and “1” to “9” to be the months January to September.

September 1960 to December 1960

If the January to September 1960 numbering system continued on for the rest of the year, you would expect 7 digit numbers 610xxxx, 611xxxx and 612xxxx and this exactly what happened, except that the numbers are now 9 digit with two variable digits in front.

My database has one Yashica A (serial number 11611xxxx), one Yashica D (serial number 12611xxxx), one Yashica 635 (serial number 13611xxxx), four Yashica-Mats (all serial numbers 14610xxxx), two Yashica Mat-LMs (serial numbers 15609xxxx, mid-way from September already, and 15611xxxx ) and twenty three Yashica 44LMs (serial numbers 16609xxxx to 16611xxxx). The pattern suggests that the first 2 digits from the left indicate the model, and as before, the “6” indicates the year, and the 4th and 5th digits indicate the month from 09 to 11 in the examples found (no 12s but possible). Note, this is the first time that a leading “0” was used for the month - September is represented by “9” in the 6 digit numbers and “09” in the 9 digit numbers, the cross over occurring in the middle of the month. This was both a long term system and a short lived interim solution. Effective from 1 January 1961, the 7 digit date and production code introduced in September 1960 would remain in use for the the next 20 years but with an alpha code replacing the 2 digit model code.

In summary, the September to December 1960 model codes are:

11 = Yashica A
12 = Yashica D
13 = Yashica 635
14 = Yashica-Mat
15 = Yashica Mat-LM
16 = 44LM

That leaves the Yashica B and 44A without any examples so far. My guess is that the Yashica B and the Yashica 44A may not have been produced between September and December 1960. The Yashica B was a low volume model, possibly offered in limited markets and was likely made in limited batches. 44 model production seemed to be very heavily focused on the 44LM in this period. Of course, I just may not have found any yet, several models are represented by just one found example so far.

1957 to 1960 Serial Numbers Table

The table summarises my analysis of the serial numbers by model from this period but does not include the earlier Yashica 635 and Yashica 44 style consecutive series numbers before they too adopted this system from mid-1958. The serial numbers and dates that they represent are numbers that I have found, nothing has been extrapolated. Any gaps indicate that either I haven't found any examples, or that there wasn't any production of that model in that month. There were a lot of models at the time and there is evidence that at least some of the lower volume cameras were produced in batches.

Model Serial No. Year
Showa
Month
From
To
From
To
Yashica all
79xxxx
79xxxx
1957
  
September
-
Yashica-Mat
579xxxx
579xxxx
1957
Late Sep
-
Yashicaflex A
329xxxx
1957
 Showa 32
Late Sep
-
Yashica A
710xxxx
710xxxx
1957
  
October
-
Yashica LM
710xxxx
711xxxx
1957
October
November
Yashica all
5710xxxx
5712xxxx
1957
October
December
Yashicaflex all
3210xxxx
3212xxxx
1957
Showa 32
October
December
Yashica all
581xxxx
589xxxx
1958
  
January
September
Yashicaflex all
331xxxx
338xxxx
1958
Showa 33
January
August
All
389xxxx
389xxxx
1958
Showa 33
September
-
All
3810xxxx
3812xxxx
1958
Showa 33
October
December
All
391xxxx
399xxxx
1959
Showa 34
January
September
All
3910xxxx
3910xxxx
1959
Showa 34
October
-
All
410xxxx
412xxxx
1959
Showa 34
October
December
All
61xxxx
69xxxx
1960
  
January
September
Yashica A
11611xxxx
1960
November
Yashica D
12611xxxx
1960
November
Yashica 635
13611xxxx
1960
November
Yashica-Mat
14610xxxx
14610xxxx
1960
October
Yashica Mat-LM
15609xxxx
15611xxxx
1960
September
November
Yashica 44LM
16609xxxx
16611xxxx
1960
September
November

Note: From September 1958, Yashica seems to have got tricky by mixing up Japanese with western dates culminating with using “4” from Showa 34 for all models from October to December 1959.

It could be argued that I have simply put the number patterns in an order that fits my theory. As I explain further down, the order of the patterns fell out from placing cameras (several thousand) into my database based on known factors, lens serial numbers, trim and other variations. The possible date code link between the patterns came later, in 2014 in fact.

(Back to Contents)

Serial Numbers from 1961 to 1980

Alpha prefixed 7 digit serial numbers and also 7 digit Yashica Mat-124 and Yashica Mat-124G numbers (note, does not apply to 6 digit prefixed Yashica D Hong Kong production or the last 6 digit Yashica Mat-124G numbers both of which appear to be simply consecutive), appear to incorporate a date code which is a bit more obvious than the preceding period. All the relevant numbers follow the pattern and generally match the release and end dates of a particular model, but there are some date discrepancies which I will discuss later. Basically, the alpha prefix identifies the model, sometimes obviously and for some models, seemingly chosen at random. The first digit from the left is the year, e.g., both 1961 and 1971 will be “1” (this leads to numbers being repeated and is exactly what has happened for certain long running models). The second and third digits are the month, i.e., from “01” through to “12”. The last 4 digits is a straight numerical sequence which starts with “0001” for the first camera of that model made that month. Therefore we can refine the general formula in Decoding Serial Numbers to:

Model Identifier Year Month Monthly Count from Zero
Alpha sequence, later nothing
1 digit
2 digits
4 digits

 

For example, the serial number MT 9050490 breaks down to MT|9|05|0490 and translates to Yashica-Mat, 1969, May, 490th made that month.

If we accept the commonly quoted 16 year life span of the Yashica Mat-124G and 573,362 produced, that is an average production of approximately 2,986 per month. Not all, perhaps any, models will have achieved similar average rates. In most cases, the “monthly production” will seem plausible with the first digit from the left of the four digit sequence rarely reaching “2” and often remaining “0” or “1”. But there are exceptions, the early Yashica Mat-EM reaching over 9,000 in both its first two months of production of February and March 1964. My database has quite a lot of examples from both months but there are no examples from April through to and including August. My interpretation is that Yashica produced an initial stockpile for the model's release in June 1964. Similar things have happened on a smaller scale at other times.

(Back to Contents)

7 Digit Numbers - Correlation to Model Release and End Dates

This numbering system started on 1 January 1961. The Yashica A, B, 635, D, 44A, 44LM, Yashica-Mat and Yashica Mat-LM were already in production. Their new numbers started with “10xxxxx”. Please note that the “Start Year” (apart from 1961) represents the commonly quoted dates which could be either start of production or on-sale release dates. The “End Year” (apart from Yashica Mat-124G) represent the commonly quoted end dates which could be either end of production or end of official sales. In the first case, there could still be a lot of stock to dispose of. So, in some cases, there won't be an exact match between the serial number range and the dates of a models life. Also, some dates, particularly end dates may be questionable.

Model Start
Year		 End
Year		 First Serial
No. Found		 Last Serial
No. Found		 Match or
Comment No.
Yashica A
1961
1969
A 1040xxx
A 8080xxx
1
Yashica-Mat
1961
1971
MT 1030xxx
MT 3030xxx
2
Yashica 635
1961
1964
ST 1010xxx
ST 4050xxx
3
Yashica 635
1964
1971
SX 4061xxx
SX 1081xxx
4
Yashica B
1961
1961
B 1030xxx
B 1120xxx
5
Yashica D
1961
1973
D 1020xxx
D 1092xxx
6
Yashica 44A
1961
1965
FA 1020xxx
FA 5060xxx
7
Yashica 44LM
1961
1965
FL 1020xxx
FL 5090xxx
8
Yashica Mat-LM
1961
1964
MTL 1020xxx
MTL 4011xxx
9
Yashica E
1964
1965
YE 3060xxx
YE 4070xxx
10
Yashica Mat-EM
1964
1967
EM 4023xxx
EM 7070xxx
Match
Yashica 24
1965
1967
L 5110xxx
L 7111xxx
Match
Yashica 12
1967
1968
R 7020xxx
R 8050xxx
Match
Yashica Mat-124
1968
1970
7100xxx
0072xxx
11
Yashica Mat-124G
1970
1980
0091xxx
0042xxx
12

 

Comments

  1. The last Yashica A serial number starts with “8” which suggests a production end date of 1968 as opposed to some sources which suggest 1969. However, there is nothing to say that a camera starting with “9” won't turn up.
  2. The Yashica-Mat was thought to come to an end in 1971 but the serial numbers suggest that 1973 is more likely. Note however, that after September 1971, there is a 4 month gap in my database until January 1972, and then a seven month gap until August 1972. There are ten cameras between then and March 1973 so production may have stopped and then re-started a couple of times. On the other hand of course, the distribution of cameras in my database may be a little uneven.
  3. The end of the Yashica 635 “ST” series and start of the “SX” series appears to be a smooth transition between May and June in 1964. However, there was one camera with a very clear number, ST 6120xxx. Unlike the cameras around it from either 1964 or 1966, it still has 2 screws near the exposure window and yellow metre focusing scales both of which disappeared in the first quarter of 1962 and the 2 screws in the back which disappeared in the last quarter of 1962, and the lens numbers suggest a camera from between the last unprefixed number, 670xxx, and the first prefixed number, ST 1010xxx. I thought that this camera probably had a new nameplate from the official Yashica spare parts system (see below). Now a second has turned up with a very similar number, ST 6120378 owned by correspondent Vincent Walsh, the fact that the nameplate serial numbers are very close reinforces my theory but the features and lens numbers suggest that both cameras were made in early 1961. Is that simply a coincidence, or is there something else going on? No answer on that.
  4. According to the Kyocera/Yashica documentation quoted by the website “A Partial History of Yashica TLRs”, Yashica 635 sales are said to have ended in 1972 or 1973 (I don't understand the table). The last serial number I have found is from 1971. Later numbers may turn up or production may have ended earlier with enough stock for a further year or two of sales but that document also contains some obvious errors.
  5. The Yashica B end date is not known but it does appear in a 1961 Swedish brochure.
  6. The Yashica D also seems to have finished up to two years short but there are the Hong Kong cameras which may have come after Japanese production finished - they certainly have the very last trim features. My own thought is that 1972 might be about right. Note that after 10 years, the numbers appear to be repeating themselves. That is the failing of using a single digit year code.
  7. I haven't found a reliable end date for the Yashica 44A. By trim, it is earlier than the last of the 44LM examples and the 44LM appears in at least one late 1965 brochure. Now I have also found a 1965 ad with both models appearing. Interestingly, no cameras starting with “FA 4xxxxxx” have turned up so far, i.e. no 1964 production.
  8. The Yashica 44LM seems to match up nicely but there are four cameras not included in the table , FL 5090xxx, two with FL 6111xxx numbers and FL 6120xxx, that seem to come up to 15 months after the previous example. The cameras themselves have much earlier features and lens numbers than the cameras around them and I believe these are other examples with parts from the official Yashica spare parts system (see below).
  9. The Yashica Mat-LM looks like another match but I have not included all the cameras in my database. There are quite a few MTL 4011xxx numbers (January 1964) which look like the last production cameras. However, also included in these are two cameras with earlier lens numbers and the screws near the exposure window which disappeared in 1962. One also has the yellow metres focusing scale on the focusing knob which changed to white also in 1962. There is one later camera, MTL 4020xxx (February 1964) which could be from the end of production (not all details are visible) but following camera MTL 4021xxx has the earlier 1962 features again including the screws near the exposure window and yellow metres scale on the focusing knob. Then there is a big jump from February to November for camera MTL 4110xxx which has all the 1962 or earlier features. Similar numbered MTL 4110xxx is a more extreme example - it is actually the highest serial numbered Yashica Mat-EM in my database (from the number on its hood and matching Yashinon) and obviously has a replacement LM exposure metre. Following are the last two Mat-LM examples, both with MTL 5080xxx numbers (implying August 1965) very close to each other. It is no surprise that all the features are 1962 or earlier. In my view, the exposure meters, and hence serial numbers, on some of the January and perhaps February 1964 cameras and on all later examples have been replaced from the official Yashica spare parts system (see below). Consequently, the last production numbers are likely to be in the MTL 4011xxx range.
  10. The Yashica E serial numbers suggest a production start in June 1963, a long way in advance of the claimed 1964 release and September 1964 at that. In the Yashica E entry on the 66 Models page is concrete evidence that the camera was reviewed as early as June 1963 and release was actually February 1964 or earlier and some evidence that it was in 1963. The end date of 1964 matches some claims (another claims 1966) but it does appear with a Yashica 24 in a brochure. The Yashica 24 was claimed to be released in December 1965 and the first serial number is from October 1965, a close match so perhaps there was a large unsold inventory stock of the Yashica E.
  11. The first Yashica Mat-124 serial number puts it into 1967 rather than 1968 but it is October 1967 so with production starting early, it probably still fits comfortably with a claimed February 1968 release.
  12. The 1970 start date for the Yashica Mat-124G appears to be a match. The 1980 end date is simply the changeover to the new 6 digit consecutive numbering system.

(Back to Contents)

The Yashica Spares System Theory - the Impact on Serial Numbers

Except for serial numbers located inside cameras, Yashica had a habit of sticking them on easily removable components which could either be damaged in a fall or like exposure meters, be susceptible to failure. I am aware that there have been “new, old stock” nameplate, exposure meters and even Yashica E flash assemblies for sale. How did Yashica deal with the serial number issues? No one really knows apart from the fact that the new items definitely have new serial numbers. I can think of three possibilities:

Theory 1

You have a camera bought new in 1960. You have dropped it and Yashica has supplied a new focusing hood and nameplate which now has a 1965 serial number. Later something else goes wrong and you walk in to the local Yashica service centre and ask for a new part. You are asked for a serial number - how will Yashica know it's a 1960 camera with a 1965 serial number?

Based on the Yashica 635, Yashica 44LM and Yashica Mat-LM examples above, it is possible that Yashica used higher serial numbers for their spares than they anticipated producing by their date code. That wouldn't identify the camera correctly but would flag that the number had been changed. Note that nine of possibly ten cameras affected have exposure meters on which the serial number is located. Exposure meters are both vulnerable and also likely to suffer the occasional fault.

Theory 2

This is a similar theory but instead of wanting to identify that a camera has a new serial number, Yashica didn't want to get its camera count out of order. With or without date code, each serial number includes a sequence number which is an easy way of keeping tabs on total production. If nameplates or exposure meters were simply whipped off the assembly line, that could have created problems for keeping track of production and/or accounting for other parts destined for assembly. Therefore numbered parts destined to be spares were given a “future” number anticipated to be beyond normal production.

Theory 3

Or, more simply, perhaps the spares were produced after production ended and the date code reflects the date that the part was made or distributed. Once production was finished, it probably was finished complete with a supply of parts for the spares department but it is possible that numbers were added afterwards.

These are simply guesses based on my logic which may have absolutely nothing to do with reality. What we do know for certain is that a small but significant number of cameras have higher serial numbers outside the limits of apparent production and these do not fit neatly within the serial number patterns that work for every other camera in the period. Plus there are cameras at the upper end of the Yashica Mat-LM serial number range with earlier trim and lens serial numbers than all the cameras around them so that they definitely do not match their very late numbers. Not to mention the Yashica Mat-EM with LM exposure meter with high serial number. Therefore, even without factoring in the date code, there is something very different about these examples. But there is one more.

This camera is a Yashica LM from 1957 from before the commencement of the date code in September. It has a body serial number inside near the feed spool, 119xxx, and lens numbers 816xxx (taking) and 812xxx (viewing), all consistent with each other and with the camera's trim. It also has a serial number on the nameplate flap over the exposure meter, just like the last LM examples. This is 3920xxx. Obviously, the nameplate flap has been replaced. By date code, the date is February 1959. Of the last four Yashica LM examples in my database, three have 5810xxx and one has 5820xxx serial numbers - January and February 1958. It doesn’t really prove/disprove anything to do with a date code but it does lend credibility to the idea that spare parts had higher serial numbers than production cameras (we can see from trim and lens serial numbers of other models that 582xxxx numbers come well before 392xxxx numbers).

Since I wrote this section, contributor Tom Heckhaus has been through his Yashica bits and pieces. In the 1980s, Yashica in the US sold off its stock of TLR spares and Tom was one of the purchasers. He has three Yashica Mat-EM focusing hood assemblies. Until now, the highest EM serial number in my database was EM 7090xxx, September 1967, and just past the claimed end date of August 1967. Tom's three hoods have the following numbers EM 9120238, EM 9120277 and EM 9120286, all suggesting December 1969. One of these is below (the number is hard to read but zoomed in, EM 91202xx is clear enough):

(Image courtesy of Tom Heckhaus)

(Back to Contents)

Do These Patterns and Date Codes Exist for Other Format Yashica Models?

The short answer is “Yes, probably, in the late 1950s and early 1960s at least but the YE, YF and SLRs are more complicated”. Towards the end of the 1950s, Yashica started to move into 8 mm movie cameras, 35 mm cameras and then sub-miniature with the short-lived Y16. It is likely that initially at least, the the date code concept applied for most/all models but at some point, there could well have been a divergence for any number of reasons. I have tracked mainly TLRs and with a large database, I have lots of confidence about my date code theory and the patterns involved. I have also collected sample serial numbers for some other models and it seems to me that there are two broad approaches used by Yashica; the interchangeable lens rangefinders (YE &YF) and SLRs fit into one group where the idea of a date code and sequence number still holds but the implementation varies model to model and everything else which follows the general TLR pattern. My analysis of the YE, YF, Pentamatic SLRs and following M42 models has been in conjunction with contributor Chris Whelan who identified the existence of the date codes for those models in the first place. This is what has been discovered model by model, TLR-like patterns first.

Y16 Miniature Cassette Camera

The Y16 was released in 1959. It didn't last long, I'm not sure how long but in 1964, Yashica released the 16EE using a different cassette system (Minolta type). A correspondent has given me eleven serial numbers. Ten are typical of Yashica TLR numbers from 1959 and the eleventh is typical of 1960 numbers. But there is a catch. The 397xxxx numbers are a direct match, the “39” I believe equating to the year 1959, the “7” to July, and the “xxxx” the production number for the month. Starting with what I believe is August, all Y16 numbers gain one additional digit so that e.g., August becomes 398xxxxx and Dec becomes 412xxxxx. The extra digit could mean anything but I believe that the production number was increased to allow for more than 9999 cameras in a month. In most cases, the digit after the month was 0 but in one case, it was 1 and the total sequence was 10393. I think a monthly output spike of 10,393 is probably a realistic production number. The 1960 number is 67xxxxx.

Lynx 1000 35 mm Fixed Lens Rangefinder Camera

The Lynx 1000 was released in 1960. The serial numbers are the usual TLR type 6 digit 1960 numbers starting with “6” for the year followed by the month. The camera on the brochure has serial number 650048, “6” for 1960, “5” for May and “0048” for 48th camera made that month. When TLRs and the Y16 hit October 1960, the first digit remained “6” but there were two digits for the month “10”. With the Lynx 1000, the first digit remained “6” so the number became “610xxxx” with 7 digits. Whilst TLRs didn't get their prefix letter(s) until 1 January 1961, they did get a 2 digit model identifier prefix. The Lynx instead got its “L” in late November 1960 so the last numbers for that month are “L 611xxxx” followed by “L 612xxxx” for December. The Yashica 35 and Yashica YK are the same. January 1961 starts off exactly as the TLRs do, “L 101xxxx”. The last number in my database is L 401xxxx (1964, January).

Flash-O-Set 35mm Automatic Exposure Viewfinder Camera

The Flash-O-Set 35 mm model was released in 1961, the same year that TLR serial numbers adopted an alpha prefix system with standardised 7 digit numbering. The original Flash-O-Set cameras have a “T” prefix with 7 digit numbers starting with “1” and going as high as “112” (1961, December) before “20” (1962 and any of the earlier months) appear. This model was replaced by the improved Flash-O-Set II in 1962. The model II has the new prefix “FII”. I have only seen numbers beginning with “2” and these go as high as “212”. In other words, these numbers are completely consistent with the TLR pattern.

Minister II and D 35 mm Fixed Lens Rangefinder Cameras

Based on only a couple of examples, the Minister II 35 mm model has a II prefix and its numbering seems to match its contemporaries.

A number of sites say that the Minister D 35 mm model was released “around 1963”. The Yashica Guy thinks it was in 1964. Japanese specialist magazine, “Camera Collectors' News” of July 1987 says December 1963. I have seventeen serial numbers. The first eight cameras have “MD” prefixes. The first camera has a 7 digit number, MD 312xxxx (1963, December). I would also expect to find November and maybe October made cameras. The following cameras range from MD 401xxxx to MD 403xxxx (1964, January to March). Then, two cameras have 8 digit numbers MD 4041xxxx and MD 4050xxxx (1964, April and May). It is possible that the extra digit, after what I think is the month code, represents another increase in capacity for recording production numbers as perhaps it was with the Y16. If so, it was temporary because the next number I have is my 7 digit MD 7090451. Did the model last until September 1967? Undoubtedly, it appear in a 1967 US brochure and 1969 Yashica USA price list. The next number is 6 digits beginning with “H”, H 110xxx, i.e. most probably Hong Kong production without a date code and a very similar number to the Hong Kong Yashica Ds. This is followed by another, H 136291. Then there are seven 6 digit numbers with a “T” prefix, T 050xxx to T 808xxx. What these mean and where they fit, I have no idea. Cameras with both “MD” and “T” prefixes have “Japan” stamped next to the serial number on the top plate. Cameras with “H” prefix don't have either Japan, or Hong Kong, on the top or bottom plate or anywhere else discernible.

M3 aka Minister III

Most references, blogs etc will tell you that the Minister III was released in 1963 in between the Minister II and Minister D. The Next Generation explains that the Minister III was originally released as the M3 in March 1966. By now, model prefix letters have disappeared from serial numbers. There are two ranges, 601xxxx (1966, January) to 808xxxx (1968, August) and then typical Hong Kong “H” prefixed numbers from H8080xx to H9211xx.

Others

With both the Yashica 8 and Yashica 35 cameras, Yashica swapped between Showa and western calendar years at surprising times and sometimes a little differently to the more consistent TLRs but the rules about sequence numbers and months remain constant. If you look at the likely years of production and both Showa and western calendar years, it is possible to work out the actual year of production. It helps to also look at the maker name, Yashima or Yashica, whether the lenses are “Yasinon” or “Yashinon” and any other trim changes.

I have collected 64 Yashica 8 movie camera serial numbers (released in 1957) and they seem to more or less behave like the TLRs. The only divergence seems to be late 1959 numbers which seem to use a 2 digit “48” code for November and December in place of the single “4” on October examples and on all TLRs from these months. The “8” is the only number which can't be aligned to a year of either format, or mix of formats. Not quite sure about the reason or how that works but being the “Yashica 8” camera, maybe it's the model name? Not unexpectedly, there are eight numbers right at the beginning in 1957 which are not date codes, and a couple of other numbers which I don't understand.

I have 90 Yashica 35 fixed lens rangefinder (Yashica's first 35 mm camera released mid-1958) serial numbers. The numbers are clearly in the TLR format but there are differences too, e.g. 1959 numbers change much earlier in the year to a “4” prefix (Showa 34) from the previous format of “39” (“3” from Showa 34 and “9” from 1959 as per the 1959 Yashicaflex TLRs). The first 1958 serial numbers are interesting too, starting with “84”, meaning 1958 April. Three of the “84” numbers are from brochures, so early, and one from an f/2.8 production camera. These are followed up by “334” and low “335” numbers, Showa 33, or 1958, and April and May respectively. Models of both aperture feature. Then we have “585” to “589” for high May numbers to September and then like with the TLRs, the prefix changes to “3810” for October (“3” from Showa 33, “8” from 1958 and “10” for October).

All models with the maker name on the body changed from Yashima to Yashica in September 1959. Whatever my success in convincing you of a date code, I am happy to say that Yashica 8 and Yashica 35 examples with low “589” numbers and earlier are marked “Yashima Opt., Ind., Co., Ltd.” and examples with higher “589” numbers and later are marked “Yashica Co., Ltd.”

There are some problem numbers that I don't understand, they are highlighted on the Yashica 35 page. The last 1960 numbers behave the same way as the Lynx 1000 above. Yashica YK and YL numbers follow the same pattern.

Yashica YE & YF Serial Numbers

These cameras were only produced over a few months and there is little about the serial numbers that absolutely pop out to say “this is the format”. These are the last numbers decoded by Chris Whelan and myself and to us, they look obvious but I accept that to anyone else it might be, “you are kidding, aren't you?”. It helps to look at all the other patterns, especially the following SLR examples, which indicate strongly that Yashica was committed to a date code based numbering system in this period. Also, I have come across a Japanese blog site which comes to the exact same conclusions for the YE and YF that Chris and I have https://ameblo.jp/miyou55mane/entry-12334062547.html.

I won't fully repeat what I have already described in Serial Numbers & Production for the YE and YF but this is the format:

Yashica YE
Yashica YE Dec 1958
Month Year Cumulative Production Number 1958
2 digits
1 digit
3 digits
Yashica YE from Jan 1959
Month Year Cumulative Production Number 1959
1 digit
1 digit
4 digits
Yashica YF
Year Month Cumulative Production Number
1 digit
1 digit
4 digits

 

The single year digit for the YF is “4” in every case found. There is precedent for “4” to correspond to some 1959 dates, see the TLR numbers and also the YE & YF page, but the above blog site solves the puzzle by noting that 1959 is Showa 34 in the Japanese calendar.

Yashikor f/2.8 5 cm lenses fitted standard to the YE have 6 digit serial numbers commencing with either “81” or “91” (the majority) followed by a 4 digit sequence number. It is possible that the “8” or “9” signify the year in some way, but the two series are actually different lenses in quite significant ways. Yashinon f/1.8 5 cm lenses fitted standard to the YF have either 7 or 8 digit numbers beginning with “595”, “596”, “597” or “5910” followed by a 4 digit sequence number. It is likely that these numbers signify year and month and broadly align to the camera production months. How the sequence numbers work is not altogether clear but my explanation is at Serial Numbers & Production.

Pentamatic 35 mm SLRs

None of the early SLRs have alpha prefixes or model identifiers. The Pentamatic serial numbers look quite different to the TLRs but seem to be based on similar principles and share some commonality with the earlier YE & YF. Between us, Chris Whelan and I have so far recorded 86 Pentamatic, Pentamatic II and Pentamatic S serial numbers. As Chris has postulated, it certainly looks like the numbers for the Pentamatic and Pentamatic II, unusually for Yashica, start with the month (one or two digits as required), followed by two digit year and then by a 5 digit cumulative production number instead of a monthly total. Pentamatic production cameras in my database run from 160003xx to 1260133xx (January 1960, camera 3xx to December 1960, camera 133xx) and 161135xx to 161168xx (January 1961 only, camera 135xx to camera 168xx).

Pentamatic
Month Year Cumulative Production Number
1 or 2 digits
2 digits
5 digits

(Note, the 1959 pre-production example in the user manual appears to only have a 1 digit year, “9”).

The Pentamatic II serial numbers are a subset of the Pentamatic and run from 860000xx to 1260044xx. The last of the Pentamatic II serial numbers from January 1961, 1105293 (mine) and 11053xx seem to pick up on the new Pentamatic S numbering system below but the 5 digit cumulative sequence number is still counting up Pentamatic II production.

Pentamatic II
Month Year Cumulative Production Number
1 or 2 digits
2 digits
5 digits
From Jan 1961
Year Month Cumulative Production Number
1 digit
1 digit
5 digits

(Note, the month could be 2 digits but as production ended shortly after, only 1 digit months are expected.)

All the found Pentamatic S numbers are 6 digit. It looks like back to a 1 digit year number, 1 or 2 digit month number as required and cumulative 4 digit production number. Note, so far we have not found any production which would equate to October, November or December so the theory is still a little rubbery. For those months, the serial numbers are expected to be 7 digit. In fact, there seems to have been quite sporadic production from February 1961 (1200xx) up to the end of September 1961 (1928xx) and then one camera is in my database for March 1962 (2331xx). It's perhaps not coincidence that the first M42 model was released in the second half of 1961 (reputedly September but production started in June).

Pentamatic S
Year Month Cumulative Production Number
1 digit
1 or 2 digits
4 digits

 

M42 35 mm SLRs - J Models, TL Super & TL

Starting with the Penta J in 1961, this group of cameras used a similar numbering system to the Pentamatic and Pentamatic II except that the year is one digit instead of 2. As with all the SLRs so far (and only the SLRs, as far as I can tell), the 5 digit sequence number is cumulative production up to that point).

However, the TL Super seemed to remain in production until the end of 1971. By late 1970, the sequence number was in danger of turning over from 99999 to 100000 so the TL Super adopted the year first TL Electro-X style introduced by that camera in 1969 and the monthly count from zero modification introduced by it in December 1970.

J Models, TL Super & TL
Month Year Cumulative Production Number
1 or 2 digits
1 digit
5 digits
TL Super from end 1970 or early 1971
Year Month Monthly Count from Zero
1 digit
2 digits
5 digits

 

M42 35 mm SLRs - TL Electro-X, TL-E, TL Electro-X ITS, TL Electro, Electro AX & FFT

From the TL Electro-X (1968) and until the end of M42 production (1974 to 1975 for most models, the TL Electro seems to have lasted until 1978, perhaps to satisfy returning M42 customers and/or as an entry level model), the serial numbers are all TLR-like 8 digit (except for as noted below) starting with a 1 digit year followed by a 2 digit month and then a 5 digit sequence number.

First, a little bit of relatively unknown history which I have pieced together. The TL Electro-X was first produced from at least October to December 1978 without the Gothic “Y” on the prism cover and with a black “x” instead of red in the name. Odd examples turn up for sale from time to time and I have copies of ads and even the assembly chart without it.

The 5 digit sequence numbers count monthly totals for this version. From serial numbers at least, there seemed to be a gap in production from January to June 1969 inclusive before the typical Gothic “Y” version appeared. From that point, the sequence number counted total production like previous SLR models, perhaps starting at 30000 (my July example is 90730049), but then in August or September 1970, when the TL Electro-X sequence number passed 100000, instead of increasing the serial number to 6 digits, Yashica merely omitted the “1” from in front. This was clearly going to cause confusion so from December 1970, the TL Electro-X sequence numbers reverted to counting monthly totals, like initially and how the TLR numbers (4 digit) do.

One further but unrelated complication from near the same time is that for some unknown reason, between June and November 1970, Yashica omitted the leading zero from months which were usually shown with it, i.e. June, July, August and September, so that TL Electro-X serial numbers for those months in 1970 are only 7 digit. That the cameras fit here is quite clear from their cumulative sequence numbers, except for the last example which is the first camera with a monthly count. Their lens numbers are entirely consistent as well.

TL Electro-X Without Gothic “Y” from Oct 1968 to Dec 1968
Year Month Monthly Count from Zero
1 digit
2 digits
5 digits
TL Electro-X from Jul 1969 to Feb 1970
Year Month Cumulative Production Number
1 digit
2 digits
5 digits
TL Electro-X from Jun 1970 to Nov 1970
Year Month Cumulative Production Number
1 digits
1 or 2 digits
5 digits
TL Electro-X, TL-E, TL Electro-X ITS, TL Electro, Electro AX & FFT from Dec 1970
Year Month Monthly Count from Zero
1 digit
2 digits
5 digits

 

Pentamatic & M42 Lens Numbers

With a couple of notable exceptions, Yashica's Pentamatic and earlier M42 SLR lens numbers all followed a simple rule - a descriptor sequence of numbers followed by a cumulative sequence counting up. Except for the Pentamatic II f/1.7 5.8 cm lens, the cumulative sequence for the Pentamatic standard lens and auxiliary lenses count up from presumably “1” for the first pre-production number (very low production numbers have been found). The f/1.7 is an oddity in several ways. There doesn't appear to be a descriptor sequence and the cumulative sequence has plenty of gaps - in fact, there is some doubt as to whether Tomioka was the maker.

The descriptor sequence for the Pentamatic f/1.8 5.5 cm standard lens is either 5910, 5912 or 605. There is a good chance that the first two digits are the year and the others the month of some change (e.g. reduction of aperture blades from 9 to 6 in May 1960). For the Pentamatic auxiliary lenses, the descriptor is usually the focal length but when the lens has been updated for some reason, things can change. In one case the descriptor was changed to the maximum aperture and with the increase in aperture of the f/3.5 13.5 cm lens to f/2.8, the “1350” and “1351” descriptors of the earlier version became “1328”, “1355”, “1380” and finally back to “1351”. Meanwhile, the cumulative sequence counts up normally.

Similar patterns can be found with M42 lenses but I haven't tracked these lenses anywhere as closely. The first M42 auxiliary lenses share their numbering and features with their updated Pentamatic siblings (black nose types). The first M42 standard lens, the semi-automatic (with manual cocking lever) Auto Yashinon f/2 5 cm found on the Penta J, Reflex 35 and J-3 is the second exception that doesn't fit the usual pattern along with the Pentamatic II lens. What is normally the descriptor sequence starts with “11”, “12”, “13”, “14”, “22”, “30”, “31”, “32”, “33” or “34” and what is normally the cumulative sequence, is just a jumble of numbers.

The subsequent standard lenses make more sense. The fully automatic Auto Yashinon f/1.8 5.5 cm all start with “5”, presumably not a coincidence and the cumulative sequence numbers clearly count up. The J-P and J-4 f/2 5 cm lens numbers start with “52” (early ones named “Auto Yashinon” add an “s” prefix, later ones named “Auto Yashinon-DX” are without). Clearly, the “5” is focal length and “2” is the aperture. The TL Super and later cameras use a “54” descriptor for the DX f/1.4 50 mm lens and firstly, a “57” descriptor for the DX f/1.7 50 mm lens but then a “58”, perhaps to signify an update of some sort, or numbers have run out.

Later DS and DS-M lenses have the serial number underneath and I have only seen a few. These appear to have a new and different numbering system.

(Back to Contents)

Serial Numbers Found - All TLR Models

In “66 Models” and “44 Models”, I try to make sense of serial numbers in terms of trim changes. In regard to the serial number table below, you will have to trust me that my Microsoft Excel spreadsheet with individual lines for each serial number and columns for all the possible trim and feature permutations paints a very clear picture of the correct order and age of cameras. I will be the first to admit that it may not be 100% accurate but I think that it is pretty close. Please remember that the serial numbers below are the numbers that I have found so far - they are an indicator only. The serial numbers of the lenses don't directly correlate to the body numbers range - they may start earlier and finish later or vice versa, be out of order or relate to cameras that I don't have body numbers for, i.e., they are indicative of the lens numbers that you may find near the listed body numbers, if that makes sense.

In the first column, I have separated models by shutter type, Pigeonflexes by the Yashima name change and the Hong Kong version of the Yashica D. In the last column, I have identified lens names for models where a change occurred. For the Yashica A, B and D, I have highlighted the blocks of serial numbers in which coloured cameras may be found - in those blocks for the Yashica A and D, there is only the odd black example, for the Yashica B, it is more even. Note, all Yashica Autos can be either grey or black and all Yashica A IIIs are coloured - I have highlighted those models as well to make it easier to visualise the periods that coloured cameras were produced in. I have also added a “Year” column. For serial numbers which I believe include a date code, i.e. generally from September 1957 to early 1980, the year will be the actual year for the block of numbers. In all other cases, cameras from 1957 and earlier and cameras from 1980 and later, the year will be based on the year of the model release and any known changes, e.g. a trim change, end date etc. Those dates may include date ranges, e.g. “1953-4” and can only be considered to be approximations. To make it clearer, I have shown those years in italics:

Model
Year
Body Serial No. Range
No.
Typical Taking Lens
Serial Numbers
From
To
66 Models
Pigeonflex
(Yashima Seiki)
1953
257xxx
257xxx
6
 253xxx-254xxx, 243xxx
1953
215xxx
217xxx
32
 243xxx-248xxx
Pigeonflex
(Yashima Kogaku Seiki)
1953-4
217xxx
224xxx
80
 247xxx-268xxx
1953-4
252xxx
256xxx
28
 257xxx-268xxx
Pigeonflex
(no maker name)
1954
223xxx
255xxx
21
 258xxx-273xxx
Yashimaflex
(SYK)
1953
None
1
 262xxx
Yashimaflex
(NKS)
1953
220xxx
260xxx
9
 263xxx-265xxx
Yashima Flex
(NKS)
1953
34xxx
40xxx
23
 270xxx-287xxx
Yashima Flex
(NKS-TB)
1953-4
37xxx
44xxx
58
 275xxx-292xxx
Yashima Flex
(NKS-FB)
1954
44xxx
44xxx
10
 286xxx-293xxx
Yashica Flex B
1954
45xxx
54xxx
99
 285xxx-300xxx, 22xxx-35xxx
Yashica Flex S
(NKS-FB)
1954
29xxx
30xxx
24
 287xxx-299xxx (Tri-Lausar)
1954
29xxx
34xxx
69
 224xxx-231xxx (Heliotar)
Yashicaflex S
(Copal)
1955
30xxx
31xxx
47
 232xxx-237xxx (Heliotar)
1955
200xxx
2
 234xxx (Heliotar)
1955-7
66xxx
72xxx
61
 237xxx-250xxx (Heliotar)
Yashicaflex A-I (Y.S.K.)
1954
10xxx
13xxx
21
 10xxx-21xxx
Yashicaflex A-I (Copal)
1954
12xxx
14xxx
5
 14xxx-15xxx, 31xxx-40xxx
1955
21xxx
1
 55xxx
1955
61xxx
65xxx
14
 57xxx-82xxx, 100xxx
1955-6
79xxx
80xxx
6
 104xxx-109xxx, 201xxx-202xxx
1956-7
112xxx
138xxx
38
 114xxx-153xxx, 216xxx-467xxx, 761xxx-805xxx
Yashicaflex A-II (Y.S.K.)
1954
15xxx
20xxx
40
 11xxx-30xxx
Yashicaflex A-II (Copal)
1954
24xxx
32xxx
66
 31xxx-53xxx
1955-6
60xxx
124xxx
194
 40xxx-137xxx, 201xxx-242xxx, 300xxx-320xxx
1956-7
213xxx
214xxx
13
 328xxx-425xxx, 660xxx-769xxx
Yashicaflex AS-II
1954
30126
User manual
1
 29991
1954
30xxx
31xxx
3
 29xxx, 38xxx, 55xxx
1955-6
81xxx
83xxx
28
 49xxx-90xxx, 104xxx-136xxx, 202xxx-240xxx, 303xxx-325xxx
1956-7
19xxx
23xxx
54
 127xxx-886xxx
MolfoReflex
1955
8xxx
8xxx
6
 93xxx-201xxx
1955
114xxx
114xxx
4
 114xxx, 204xxx
1955-6
31xxx
31xxx
16
 126xxx-129xxx, 176xxx, 398xxx-409xxx
Yashicaflex C
1955-7
500xxx
599xxx
337
 117xxx-822xxx
Yashicaflex A-III
1955
118xxx
1
 215xxx
Yashica Rookie
1956-7
197xxx
233xxx
71
 171xxx-186xxx, 258xxx-260xxx, 348xxx-774xxx
Yashica Hi-Mec
1956
30xxx
?
2
 237xxx
Yashica A
1956-7
30xxx
67xxx
50
 184xxx-195xxx, 295xxx-299xxx, 370xxx-384xxx, 412xxx-873xxx (Yashimar)
1957
790xxx
793xxx
5
 873xxx-905xxx (Yashimar)
1957
7100xxx
1
 897xxx
1957
57101xxx
57121xxx
11
 897xxx-960xxx (Yashimar)
1958
5840xxx
5883xxx
12
 215xxx, 241xxx-245xxx, 410xxx-427xxx (Yashimar)
1958
38100xxx
38121xxx
7
 254xxx, 425xxx-464xxx (Yashimar)
1959
3911xxx
3911xxx
2
 271xxx, 472xxx (Yashimar) 
1959
3940xxx
3991xxx
41
 245xxx-304xxx, 498xxx-524xxx (Yashikor)
1959
39101xxx
39102xxx
2
 529xxx (Yashikor)
1959
4121xxx
4121xxx
2
 552xxx-555xxx (Yashikor)
1960
611xxx
660xxx
7
 570xxx-623xxx (Yashikor)
1960
116110xxx
1
 653xxx (Yashikor)
1961
A 1030xxx
A 1110xxx
10
 694xxx-769xxx (Yashikor)
1962
A 2030xxx
A 2112xxx
15
 811xxx-946xxx (Yashikor)
1963
A 3010xxx
A 3101xxx
9
 960xxx-993xxx, 105xxx-106xxx (Yashikor)
1964
A 4031xxx
A 4120xxx
8
 171xxx-271xxx (Yashikor)
1965
A 5010xxx
A 5080xxx
6
 279xxx-342xxx (Yashikor)
1966
A 6020xxx
A 6121xxx
11
 395xxx-440xxx, 673xxx-692xxx (Yashikor)
1967
A 7012xxx
A 7110xxx
8
 727xxx, 782xxx-824xxx (Yashikor)
1968
A 8040xxx
A 8090xxx
11
 817xxx-866xxx (Yashikor)
Yashica C
1956-7
800xxx
829xxx
66
 267xxx-296xxx, 410xxx-462xxx, 526xxx-557xxx, 622xxx-720xxx, 758xxx-861xxx
1957
790xxx
793xxx
6
 878xxx-901xxx
1957
57100xxx
57122xxx
7
 915xxx-917xxx, 957xxx-976xxx
1958
5821xxx
5890xxx
5
 213xxx-244xxx, 421xxx-475xxx
1958
38101xxx
1
 442xxx
1959
3910xxx
1
 475xxx
Yashica LM
1956-7
100xxx
127xxx
110
 268xxx-286xxx, 419xxx-557xxx, 600xxx-689xxx, 712xxx, 755xxx-982xxx
1957
790xxx
791xxx
19
 838xxx-981xxx
1957
7100xxx
7110xxx
6
 913xxx-970xxx
1957
57110xxx
57120xxx
13
 256xxx, 405xxx-416xxx, 912xxx-969xxx
1958
5810xxx
5820xxx
8
 212xxx-257xxx, 435xxx
Yashicaflex A2
1956-7
2xxx
19xxx
109
 199xxx, 272xxx-298xxx, 416xxx-426xxx, 510xxx-554xxx, 603xxx-660xxx, 987xxx
1956-7
27xxx
38xxx
5
 522xxx, 538xxx
1957
121xxx
1
 541xxx
1957
330xxx
3
 423xxx, 520xxx
Yashica-Mat
(Copal MX)
1957
57xxx
59xxx
5
 19xxx-20xxx, 40xxx (75 Lumaxar)
Yashica-Mat
(Copal MXV)
1957
57xxx
65xxx
33
 19xxx-25xxx, 33xxx, 40xxx-43xxx, 61xxx (75 Lumaxar)
1957
64xxx
85xxx
134
 25xxx-48xxx, 71xxx-74xxx, 80xxx-100xxx (80 Lumaxar)
1957
790xxx
792xxx
9
 94xxx-105xxx (80 Lumaxar)
1957
5790xxx
5790xxx
2
 107xxx (80 Lumaxar)
1957
57100xxx
57121xxx
24
 99xxx-122xxx, 202xxx (80 Lumaxar)
1958
5860xxx
5881xxx
13
 200xxx-204xxx (Yashinon)
1958
3890xxx
3891xxx
7
 204xxx-207xxx (Yashinon)
1958
38101xxx
38121xxx
15
 207xxx-216xxx (Yashinon)
1959
3910xxx
3912xxx
6
 217xxx-219xxx (Yashinon)
1959
3980xxx
1
 219xxx (Yashinon)
1959
4110xxx
4120xxx
4
 219xxx-220xxx (Yashinon)
1960
630xxx
661xxx
11
 223xxx-231xxx (Yashinon)
1960
146100xxx
146100706
4
 229xxx-239xxx (Yashinon)
1961
MT 1010xxx
MT 1120xxx
10
 222xxx-288xxx (Yashinon)
1962
MT 2021xxx
MT 2100xxx
13
 306xxx-366xxx (Yashinon)
1963
MT 3010xxx
MT 3090xxx
8
 387xxx-488xxx (Yashinon)
1964
MT 4050xxx
MT 4110
6
 444xxx-464xxx (Yashinon)
1965
MT 5010xxx
MT 5120xxx
11
 478xxx-525xxx (Yashinon)
1966
MT 6050xxx
MT 6121xxx
6
 527xxx-668xxx (Yashinon)
1967
MT 7020xxx
MT 7120xxx
10
 690xxx-792xxx (Yashinon)
1968
MT 8010xxx
MT 8100xxx
10
 797xxx-823xxx (Yashinon)
1969
MT 9050xxx
MT 9111xxx
5
 904xxx-956xxx (Yashinon)
1970
MT 0010xxx
MT 0030xxx
2
 940xxx-956xxx (Yashinon)
1970
MT 0060xxx
MT 0111xxx
6
 986xxx-1029xxx (f/2.8 viewing lens)
1971
MT 1010xxx
MT 1110xxx
18
 705xxx-775xxx, 10xxxxx-1037xxx (f/2.8 viewing lens)
1972
MT 2010xxx
MT 2123xxx
15
 773xxx-811xxx, 1076xxx-1092xxx (f/2.8 viewing lens)
1973
MT 3030xxx
MT 3031xxx
2
 1102xxx-1105xxx (f/2.8 viewing lens)
Yashicaflex AS
(new model)
1957
19xxx
28xxx
84
 432xxx-449xxx, 701xxx-709xxx, 754xxx-877xxx
Yashicaflex B
(new model)
1957
58xxx
71xxx
68
 700xxx-713xxx, 761xxx-798xxx, 816xxx-872xxx
1957
80xxx
88xxx
6
 852xxx-873xxx
1957
790xxx
790xxx
4
 834xxx-876xxx
1957
32100xxx
32120xxx
50
 700xxx, 835xxx-889xxx, 902xxx-994xxx
1958
3310xxx
33801xxx
50
 998xxx, 200xxx-249xxx, 400xxx-432xxx
1958
3890xxx
3891xxx
7
 418xxx-448xxx
1958
38100xxx
38100xxx
3
 438xxx-441xxx
Yashicaflex A
(new model)
1957
10xxx
11xxx
7
 807xxx-882xxx
1957
63xxx
69xxx
16
 448xxx, 700xxx-846xxx
1957
83xxx
86xxx
2
 839xxx
1957
290xxx
291xxx
3
 884xxx-894xxx
1957
3290xxx
1
 893xxx
1957
32100xxx
32111xxx
15
 851xxx-985xxx
1958
3310xxx
3390xxx
12
 997xxx, 213xxx-243xxx, 400xxx-427xxx
1958
38100xxx
38110
5
 250xxx, 465xxx-458xxx
Yashica 635
1958
56602
User manual
1
 981xxx (Yashikor)
1958
58xxx
61xxx
15
 982xxx-999xxx, 203xxx-210xxx (Yashikor)
1958
5850xxx
5871xxx
7
 229xxx-240xxx, 405xxx-414xxx (Yashikor)
1958
3890xxx
3890xxx
3
 249xxx, 435xxx (Yashikor)
1958
38100xxx
38102xxx
6
 253xxx-258xxx, 440xxx-449xxx (Yashikor)
1959
3910xxx
3931xxx
9
 276xxx-277xxx, 468xxx-488xxx (Yashikor)
1959
4110xxx
4121xxx
10
 535xxx-559xxx (Yashikor)
1960
610xxx
670xxx
11
 568xxx-642xxx (Yashikor)
1960
136110xxx
1
 657xxx (Yashikor)
1961
ST 1010xxx
ST 1120xxx
10
 675xxx-784xxx (Yashikor)
1962
ST 2010xxx
ST 2121xxx
18
 796xxx-797xxx, 805xxx-967xxx (Yashikor)
1963
ST 3020xxx
ST 3121xxx
11
 974xxx-987xxx, 149xxx-171xxx (Yashikor)
1964
ST 4030xxx
ST 4050xxx
8
 170xxx-187xxx (Yashikor)
1964
SX 4061xxx
SX 4121xxx
9
 197xxx-291xxx (Yashikor)
1965
SX 5010xxx
SX 5090xxx
14
 282xxx-371xxx (Yashikor)
1966
SX 6010xxx
SX 6112xxx 
23
 379xxx-447xxx, 634xxx-688xxx (Yashikor)
1967
SX 7010xxx
SX 7122xxx
35
 451xxx, 692xxx, 715xxx-827xxx (Yashikor)
1968
SX 8020xxx
SX 8110xxx
9
 77xxxx-890xxx (Yashikor)
1969
SX 9010xxx
SX 9110xxx
12
 888xxx-948xxx (Yashikor)
1970
SX 0011xxx
SX 0080xxx
13
 965xxx-995xxx (Yashikor)
1970
SX 0081xxx
SX 0121xxx
16
 989xxx-1062xxx (Yashinon)
1971
SX 1020xxx
SX 1081xxx
6
 1040xxx-1071xxx, 778xxx-782xxx (Yashinon)
Yashica B
1958
38100xxx
38120xxx
4
 253xxx, 455xxx-462xxx
1959
3920xxx
3950xxx
12
 279xxx-300xxx, 491xxx-503xxx
1959
4120xxx
1
 ?
1960
620xxx
660xxx
12
 573xxx-628xxx
1961
B 1030xxx
B 1120xxx
5
 723xxx-794xxx
Yashica D
1958
582xxx
582xxx
2
 232xxx-424xxx
1958
38110xxx
38123xxx
27
 258xxx-265xxx, 452xxx-469xxx (Yashikor)
1959
3910xxx
3990xxx
49
 269xxx-301xxx, 473xxx-498xxx, 517xxx-526xxx (Yashikor)
1959
4100xxx
4102xxx
10
 533xxx-539xxx (Yashikor)
1960
610xxx
662xxx
25
 564xxx-636xxx (Yashikor)
1960
126110xxx
1
 656xxx (Yashikor)
1961
D 1010xxx
D 1120xxx
15
 672xxx-786xxx (Yashikor)
1962
D 2020xxx
D 2110xxx
21
 808xxx-945xxx (Yashikor)
1963
D 3010xxx
D 3122xxx
15
 957xxx-998xxx, 116xxx-169xxx (Yashikor)
1964
D 4030xxx
D 4111xxx
14
 172xxx-270xxx (Yashikor)
1965
D 5010xxx
D 5120xxx
14
 282xxx, 305xxx-375xxx (Yashikor)
1966
D 6010xxx
D 6120xxx
21
 384xxx-441xxx, 661xxx-695xxx (Yashikor)
1967
D 7011xxx
D 7121xxx
26
 714xxx-825xxx (Yashikor)
1968
D 8010xxx
D 8120xxx
26
 775xxx-888xxx (Yashikor)
1969
D 9010xxx
D 9121xxx
11
 893xxx-949xxx (Yashikor)
1970
D 0030xxx
D 0061xxx
9
 764xxx, 931xxx-1001xxx (Yashikor)
1970
D 0070xxx
D 0125xxx
20
 979xxx-1047xxx (Yashinon)
1971
D 1021xxx
D 1092xxx
42
 1016xxx-1079xxx (Yashinon)
Yashica D
Hong Kong
1971
H 100xxx
H 113xxx
16
 717xxx-795xxx (Yashinon)
Yashica A III
1959
3930xxx
3962xxx
21
 212xxx-508xxx
1959
39100xxx
39100xxx
3
 525xxx-528xxx
1959
4110xxx
4122xxx
5
 510xxx-553xxx
1960
610xxx
680xxx
9
 562xxx-643xxx
Yashica Auto
1959
3930xxx
3950xxx
44
 200xxx-212xxx
Yashica Mat-LM
1959
4110043
User manual
1
 220002
1960
620xxx
680xxx
28
 221xxx-238xxx
1960
156090xxx
156110xxx
2
 240xxx-246xxx
1961
MTL 1020xxx
MTL 1121xxx
39
 246xxx-297xxx
1962
MTL 2010xxx
MTL 2123xxx
50
 299xxx-395xxx
1963
MTL 3010xxx
MTL 3121xxx
40
 392xxx-434xxx
1964
MTL 4010xxx
MTL 4011xxx
6
 423xxx-435xxx
Yashica E
1963
YE 3060xxx
YE 3121xxx
34
 No lens numbers
1964
YE 4010xxx
YE 4070xxx
20
 No lens numbers
Yashica Mat-EM
1964
EM 4022xxx
EM 4122xxx
56
 EM 4010xxx-EM 4022xxx, 438xxx-473xxx
1965
EM 5010xxx
EM 5110xxx
37
 478xxx-515xxx
1966
EM 6010xxx
EM 6121xxx
31
 514xxx-673xxx
1967
EM 7010xxx
EM 7070xxx 
11
 675xxx-678xxx, 702xxx-706xxx
Yashica 24
1965
L 5100xxx
L 5121xxx
24
 508xxx-515xxx
1966
L 6010xxx
L 6120xxx
31
 510xxx-542xxx, 660xxx-674xxx
1967
L 7010xxx
L 7111xxx
41
 672xxx-781xxx
Yashica 12
1967
R 7020xxx
R 7120xxx
44
 671xxx-697xxx, 752xxx-779xxx
1968
R 8020xxx
R 8050xxx
5
 797xxx-801xxx
Yashica Mat-124
1967
7100xxx
7124xxx
20
 706xxx, 776xxx-810xxx
1968
8010xxx
8123xxx
67
 772xxx-849xxx
1969
9012xxx
9122xxx
66
 850xxx-943xxx
1970
0010xxx
0072xxx
51
 937xxx-985xxx
Yashica Mat-124G
1970
0090xxx
0123xxx
25
 978xxx-1030xxx
1971
1010xxx
1127xxx
82
 1026xxx-1076xxx, 702xxx-781xxx
1972
2020xxx
2121xxx
29
 1066xxx-1081xxx, 742xxx-814xxx
1973
3011xxx
3122xxx
62
 1088xxx-1141xxx
1974
4010xxx
4123xxx
19
 1101xxx-1170xxx, 802xxx-814xxx
1975
5010xxx
5121xxx
35
 766xxx-800xxx, No lens numbers
1976
6012xxx
6123xxx
31
 No lens numbers
1977
7014xxx
7124xxx
58
 No lens numbers
1978
8010xxx
8122xxx
37
 No lens numbers
1979
9010xxx
9123xxx
33
 No lens numbers
1980
0021xxx
0042xxx
5
 No lens numbers
1980-6
051xxx
235xxx
264
 No lens numbers
Yashica Mat-124B
c1981
061xxx
168xxx
22
 No lens numbers
44 Models
Yashica 44
1958
17xxx
23xxx
47
 333xxx-345xxx
1958
5850xxx
5892xxx
73
 346xxx-427xxx, 531xxx
1958
3890xxx
3895xxx
29
 365xxx-368xxx, 426xxx-434xxx
1958
38100xxx
38122xxx
34
 368xxx-380xxx, 433xxx-452xxx
1959
3921xxx
3990xxx
36
 384xxx-387xxx, 454xxx-491xxx, 601xxx- 604xxx
1960
650xxx
690xxx
9
 492xxx, 547xxx-554xxx, 605xxx
Yashica 44A
1959
?
?
5
 349xxx-388xxx
1959
3940xxx
3994xxx
123
 388xxx-399xxx, 460xxx-502xxx, 600xxx-605xxx
1959
4100xxx
4112xxx
21
 507xxx-516xxx
1960
610xxx
650xxx
20
 523xxx-540xxx, 415xxx
1961
FA 1020xxx
FA 1121xxx
36
 682xxx-789xxx
1962
FA 2010xxx
FA 2120xxx
42
 790xxx, 812xxx-951xxx
1963
FA 3040xxx
FA 3111xxx
17
 950xxx-999xxx, 107xxx-114xxx
1965
FA 5020xxx
FA 5070xxx
8
 295xxx-338xxx
Yashica 44LM
1959
3930009
1
 200022 Camera in user manual
1959
3950xxx
3984xxx
60
 200xxx-203xxx, 466xxx-527xxx
1959
39100xxx
39101xxx
8
 206xxx-207xxx, 505xxx-541xxx
1959
4110xxx
4111xxx
4
 520xxx-524xxx
1960
610xxx
670xxx
42
 489xxx, 522xxx-552xxx, 669xxx
1960
166090xxx
166110xxx
26
 550xxx-559xxx, 685xxx-668xxx
1961
FL 1020xxx
FL 1120xxx
31
 390xxx, 668xxx-685xxx, 717xxx-791xxx
1962
FL 2010xxx
FL 2120xxx
41
 779xxx, 801xxx-962xxx
1963
FL 3010xxx
FL 3110xxx
25
 949xxx-992xxx, 111xxx-179xxx, 200xxx-250xxx
1964
FL 4010xxx
FL 4110xxx
21
 200xxx-257xxx, 314xxx-351xxx
1965
FL 5010xxx
FL 5090xxx
22
 232xxx, 313xxx-399xxx
Out of Sequence (higher) Serial Numbers - Yashica Spares?
Yashica 635
?
ST 6120xxx
1
 665xxx
Yashica Mat-LM
?
MTL 4012xxx
MTL 4110xxx
4
 263xxx-368xxx
?
MTL 5080xxx
MTL 5080xxx
2
 231xxx, 263xxx
Yashica 44LM
?
FL 5090xxx
FL 6120xxx
4
 642xxx-740xxx

Note: “No.” is the number of cameras found in the serial number range. Sometimes it may include cameras with serial numbers just outside the range if the serial number is not visible but lens numbers were consistent. In other words, like the rest of the table, it is a guide only. Don't total this column and expect it to equal the total numbers of cameras in my database quoted elsewhere. In theory it should but my database grows far more quickly than I can find time to update this table. I do try to make sure that significant serial numbers or patterns are updated.

(Back to Contents)

Location of Body Serial Numbers

The Pigeonflex, Yashima Flex, most Yashicaflexes and Yashica TLRs have their body serial number on the top edge of the nameplate. However, these are the exceptions:

In summary, all Yashima/ Yashica TLRs , have their serial numbers on the top edge of the nameplate except for models with exposure meters when this arrangement is not possible (all except Yashica Mat-LM and Yashica 44LM).

(Back to Contents)