Yashica Minister D

Yashica Minister D is a 35mm rangefinder camera which was built around 1964; an advanced version of Yashica Minister III which was built in 1963. A rangefinder camera is used to taking extremely sharp images. It rungs on a range-finding mechanism, which is embedded into the camera. The rangefinder measures the exact distance of the subject from the camera. A value, which is then fed onto the focus ring to take an impeccably focused image. It is different from an SLR camera as it comes with a fixed lens and doesn't have the mirror to reflect the same image as seen by the lens onto the viewfinder, as is the case with SLRs. The parallax error cased by this, has to be either corrected manually or in better rangefinders (like the one we are talking about) the viewfinder self corrects for parallax. 

The focus can be set from 2.6ft (0.8m) to infinity. In case the environment gets too dark to use the rangefinder, the focus ring is very reliable and has clear graduations. However, this camera should not be used for taking macro shots. 

Specifications:

1. Yashinon 45mm f2.8 lens with and angle of view of 56 degrees. The lens mount accept 46mm screw-in accessories and 48 mm push on lens hoods.
2. Shutter speed - B, 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 15, 30, 60, 125, 250, 500 seconds. The shutter can be set at M or X synch. A self-timer with 8 seconds delay is provided and the lever is placed at the bottom of the lens barrel. In case of using the self-timer, please shift your shutter lever to X synch.
3. A PC socket is provided on the front left bottom of the camera for connecting external flash.
4. The aperture ranges from f16 to f2.8.
5. It features an uncoupled CdS exposure meter which runs on a 625A battery.
6. The viewfinder self corrects for parallax. 

How to use: 

To load the film, a small lever with O-P written on it is provided at the base of the camera. To open, push the lever from P to O and while at O, push it inwards and the flap will open. On the flap's inside, a chart with ASA and its corresponding DIN value is given. Compose your frame. Set your aperture and shutter speed. In this camera, both the aperture and shutter rings are coupled together, so when you move the aperture ring, the shutter ring moves in accordance. However, a separate aperture ring is there (the last ring from the mount), which you can further use to alter your aperture settings. Its numbers coincide with the ones on the exposure meter. Look through the viewfinder on your subject and press the red button (rangefinder button), to the left of the viewfinder, to activate your exposure meter. You will see two vaguely overlapping images. Move your focus ring to make them exactly overlap. And CLICK! 

The works - Rewind crank, flash mount, exposure read-out, shutter release and film advance lever

Yashinon 45mm lens. Clearly visible focusing ring and LVS ring right of it

Thats the Copal SVL shutter - highly reliable and simple in operation