Yashica Electro 35 GT

My Analog Project 2011 continues in the month of September with the Yashica Electro 35 GT. This 35mm range finder built by Yashica back in 1969 was considered a Pro rangefinder with it's sleek design and super easy semi-automatic exposure system. The camera featured higher ISO options going all the way up to an ISO of 1000 which was very popular with pro photographers. As mentioned, the semi-automatic exposure is easy to use in conjunction with the indicator lights on top of the camera as well as illuminated arrows inside the view finder. But the lack of shutter speed indication anywhere on the camera is a major downside in my opinion, there are times when I prefer to control shutter speed over aperture. This was one of the first rangefinders I bought back in 2010 when I started collecting vintage cameras because I admired it from when I was a teen many years ago.

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• Dred242.com
• VintageCamera
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[viencafe]

Your reviews are much better than DigitalRev guy. When I go on youtube to see a review, I want to see a review, not some story of some guys using his camera carelessly.

[Dred242]

@viencafe The crew over at DigitalRev TV are very entertaining, I enjoy their video's. But if I'm really looking for info to help me choose a product, DRTV falls short. They sometimes point out the shortcomings of a product like size, controls, slow auto focus and the like, but this useful info is sprinkled in between bits of comedy and I end up longing for more detailed info.

[rbruce63]

I sitll have an Electro 35 that was my first camera as a gift from dad! However, it fell in electronic disrepair. I have the additional lenses that came as a 55 mm screw on telephoto and the 35 mm wide angle, plus the viewer. Can this camera's electronics be repaired?

[Dred242]

@rbruce63 Most of the time it a simple matter of replacing a loose or corroded wire to bring a camera back to life. If it's something like a built-in light meter that has died then the repair shop has to either provide the part or go on the hunt for a replacement part on your behalf - that's when the price of repair starts to climb. If it were me and the camera still has sentimental value (and I plan to "really" use the camera) then I would pay the price.

[quicsilver]

I have the silver model but the the view finder glass is dirty from the inside and makes it hard to see through. Is there anyway to clean it up?

[Dred242]

@quicsilver Check out "yashica-guy" (dot com) website and click the link "Repairs That You Can Do" for more info on removing the Electro's top plate.

[Destructos]

This camera looks stunning in black!

[kellygiz]

Aperture priority kicks ass.

[Dred242]

@quicsilver If you can't deal with the dirty viewfinder then consider sending it to a pro shop for a C.L.A. (Clean Lube & Adjust) - which should not only take care of the dirty viewfinder but also adjust the shutter, lube the aperture blades, and more. Cost may very but on average it's between $70-$100 and does not include shipping. Considering you'll get a camera back that pretty much functions as new, I think the cost of a C.L.A. is well worth it.

[Dred242]

@quicsilver Most vintage cameras require almost everything you see on top to be unscrewed and removed before lifting off the top-plate to get to the viewfinder glass. If you can learn to look past the dirty viewfinder it will save you the trouble of dissembling and correctly re-assembling your camera.

[Dred242]

@quicsilver Unfortunately the removal of the Electro's top plate is necessary to get at the viewfinder glass and can be a bit involved. The process may require at least one special tool called "snap ring pliers" (I picked up a pair on eBay for $10) used to unscrew parts from most vintage cameras.