Yashica's mid-1970s C/Y SLR — the FX-1, electronic shutter, aperture-priority auto, Zeiss compatible.
The Yashica FX-1 is a 35mm film SLR from the mid 1970s and one of the first Yashica bodies to use the Contax/Yashica (C/Y) bayonet, introduced when Yashica partnered with Carl Zeiss. That mount let owners use both Yashica ML lenses and Carl Zeiss T* optics designed for the Contax RTS, positioning the FX-1 as an enthusiast body at the start of the C/Y system rather than a screw-mount design.
The FX-1 is a C/Y bayonet SLR for 35mm film. It uses an electronically controlled focal-plane shutter and offers aperture-priority automatic exposure as well as manual control, with through-the-lens centre-weighted metering. Because the shutter timing is electronic, the camera depends on a battery to fire correctly. The viewfinder shows the metering information for setting exposure. Any spec beyond these verified points is omitted here to avoid guessing.
The FX-1 suits a photographer who wants access to Zeiss T* and Yashica ML glass with the convenience of aperture-priority automation. It works for general shooting, portraits and everyday use, and its electronic shutter gives consistent timing when the battery is fresh. The main practical limitation is its battery dependence, meaning it will not operate with a flat cell, unlike the fully mechanical Yashica screw-mount bodies.
On the used market the FX-1 is an early C/Y body, so condition and electronics matter most. Inspect and expect to replace the foam light seals and mirror-damper foam. Because the shutter is electronically timed, verify that the camera powers up and fires at a range of speeds with a good battery, and test the meter and aperture-priority auto for correct response. Check the prism for desilvering or haze, work the film advance and rewind, and confirm the C/Y bayonet locks lenses firmly.