Chris Dodkin
West Coast Correspondent
It's month 3 of my 'year of film cameras' project - and this month it's the Yashica Electro 35.
January was the Rollei 35 - http://www.realphotographersforum.com/film-conventional-cameras/9384-article-downsizing-again-rollei-35-a.html#post78392
February was the Werra 1A - http://www.realphotographersforum.com/film-conventional-cameras/9489-behind-iron-curtain-werra-1a.html#post79289
The Electro 35 is one of the most available rangefinders to buy used - there are dozens of them on EBAY at any time, probably because Yashica is said to have manufactured over 8,000,000 of them in their lifetime.
The Yashica is a 'full size' camera, very similar in dimensions to a modern Fuji X-Pro1 - with a fixed 45mm f/1.7 Lens and rangefinder focusing. Mine is the black GT model
The lens is contrasty and sharp - a real gem in fact - and given the low low prices on these cameras, is a bit of a steal.
As was common during the 70s, the lens has 'idiot proof' markings for daylight, cloudy etc, as well as the more normal F stops - an attempt by camera manufacturers to simplify exposure.
In the case of the Electro range, this is augmented with an under/over exposure indication - with lights on the top of the camera, and in the viewfinder - telling the user if the automatic shutter speed is too slow for handheld use, or out of range at the top end.
So camera use is simplified, you set your aperture (and ISO), the camera sets shutter speed based on a very accurate electronic meter.
This meter system was very successful, and appears in many other cameras from a range of manufacturers, including Minolta - just look for the 'Electron' logo on a camera, that's your clue.
This metering system drives a fully electronic shutter - which is very advanced for the time - allowing accurate exposures in low light of many tens of seconds or even minutes.
This use of 'modern' electronics does mean that the camera is completely dependent on battery power to function, no 'manual' use is possible - and the battery power is a potential issue on this era of camera, as the popular mercury cells from the 60s - 70s are no longer made - and modern sized equivalents are the wrong physical size.
There is a solution - a quick search on EBAY turned up a handy battery adapter for this camera for $15.
This adapts the current 6v battery size to the old battery chamber design on the Electro.
You could use tape and wedges of tin-foil to achieve the same result (I did this while I waited for the battery adapter) - but for long-term use the adapter is a great solution. There's a handy battery check button on the camera which also illuminates the frame counter on the camera.
With the power side sorted, you load your film and set the ASA with the dial on the top plate - and you're ready to shoot.
Film advance is smooth and fast, and the shutter release is smooth and quiet. There's a shutter lock to prevent accidental triggering, but no double exposure capability.
The focus patch in the viewfinder is a good size, and clear enough to allow accurate and fast focus using the rangefinder. With apertures going to f/1.7, you need accurate focus!
The camera/lens combo shoots very much like a modern camera - I was used to shooting aperture priority with my Fuji, so the Yashica fitted right in.
Narrow DOF was a welcome feature on this camera - and is often missing on 'budget' RF models.
Stopping down you get nice sharp images, and exposure is accurate in a wide range of situations.
As the light dims, the camera continues to expose accurately, and provides a stable platform with minimal cmera shake at low speeds (no mirror slap - no mirror!)
I've had a lot of fun shooting with this camera - it's so much like shooting with the X-Pro1 that it just fits right in with my workflow and style.
It's been solid and reliable - and frankly is as cheap as chips to buy.
It comes highly recommended.
January was the Rollei 35 - http://www.realphotographersforum.com/film-conventional-cameras/9384-article-downsizing-again-rollei-35-a.html#post78392
February was the Werra 1A - http://www.realphotographersforum.com/film-conventional-cameras/9489-behind-iron-curtain-werra-1a.html#post79289
The Electro 35 is one of the most available rangefinders to buy used - there are dozens of them on EBAY at any time, probably because Yashica is said to have manufactured over 8,000,000 of them in their lifetime.
The Yashica is a 'full size' camera, very similar in dimensions to a modern Fuji X-Pro1 - with a fixed 45mm f/1.7 Lens and rangefinder focusing. Mine is the black GT model
The lens is contrasty and sharp - a real gem in fact - and given the low low prices on these cameras, is a bit of a steal.
As was common during the 70s, the lens has 'idiot proof' markings for daylight, cloudy etc, as well as the more normal F stops - an attempt by camera manufacturers to simplify exposure.
In the case of the Electro range, this is augmented with an under/over exposure indication - with lights on the top of the camera, and in the viewfinder - telling the user if the automatic shutter speed is too slow for handheld use, or out of range at the top end.
So camera use is simplified, you set your aperture (and ISO), the camera sets shutter speed based on a very accurate electronic meter.
This meter system was very successful, and appears in many other cameras from a range of manufacturers, including Minolta - just look for the 'Electron' logo on a camera, that's your clue.
This metering system drives a fully electronic shutter - which is very advanced for the time - allowing accurate exposures in low light of many tens of seconds or even minutes.
This use of 'modern' electronics does mean that the camera is completely dependent on battery power to function, no 'manual' use is possible - and the battery power is a potential issue on this era of camera, as the popular mercury cells from the 60s - 70s are no longer made - and modern sized equivalents are the wrong physical size.
There is a solution - a quick search on EBAY turned up a handy battery adapter for this camera for $15.
This adapts the current 6v battery size to the old battery chamber design on the Electro.
You could use tape and wedges of tin-foil to achieve the same result (I did this while I waited for the battery adapter) - but for long-term use the adapter is a great solution. There's a handy battery check button on the camera which also illuminates the frame counter on the camera.
With the power side sorted, you load your film and set the ASA with the dial on the top plate - and you're ready to shoot.
Film advance is smooth and fast, and the shutter release is smooth and quiet. There's a shutter lock to prevent accidental triggering, but no double exposure capability.
The focus patch in the viewfinder is a good size, and clear enough to allow accurate and fast focus using the rangefinder. With apertures going to f/1.7, you need accurate focus!
The camera/lens combo shoots very much like a modern camera - I was used to shooting aperture priority with my Fuji, so the Yashica fitted right in.
Narrow DOF was a welcome feature on this camera - and is often missing on 'budget' RF models.
Stopping down you get nice sharp images, and exposure is accurate in a wide range of situations.
As the light dims, the camera continues to expose accurately, and provides a stable platform with minimal cmera shake at low speeds (no mirror slap - no mirror!)
I've had a lot of fun shooting with this camera - it's so much like shooting with the X-Pro1 that it just fits right in with my workflow and style.
It's been solid and reliable - and frankly is as cheap as chips to buy.
It comes highly recommended.
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