My Electro 35 GL - first impressions and servicing

JeremyR

JeremyR

Photography Geek
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Greetings,

I showed up on this forum a few months back--since then I've mostly been lurking, shooting with the Yashica here and there and deciding what to do about this rangefinder bug that has bitten me!

Among the shots I've taken with the GL is one that I feel to be one of the best candid pictures I've made to date:

78064212-L.jpg

(Yashica Electro 35 GL, Kodak T-Max 400, shot at [I think] EI 1600, f/1.7 at ??? sec)

Here's been my experience with my particular copy of the GL thus far:
  • Mechanically the camera seems to operate smoothly (but see later comments about film advance).
  • The exposure is generally spot-on (I've tested with film at 125 and 1600 speeds at a variety of apertures and shutter speeds), suggesting that the metering system and shutter are working properly.
  • Overall, photos are not nearly as sharp as some examples I've seen produced by other Electro 35 models. Obviously I don't expect ultimate sharpness when pushing film to EI 1600 and shooting at f/1.7, but I also shot a roll of Plus-X at ISO 125 at apertures between f/5.6 and f/11 and found sharpness to be less than expected. This is likely due to the next few points (as well as, no doubt, just plain user error).
  • The rangefinder seems a bit dim and hazy. But then again, I don't have any similar-era cameras to compare to, and I've been using a Leica M6 alongside the Yashica, so perhaps I've been a bit spoiled. Still, I'm thinking a cleaning would help.
  • The rangefinder could very well be out of adjustment. I have no idea of this camera's history, and it's quite possible--likely, even--that it hasn't been adjusted since it was built some 30 years ago.
  • There's a bit of (what appears to be) fungus on one of the inner lens elements. There's not a lot, and it's very near the edge, so I wouldn't expect it to impact image quality much. Maybe it can be cleaned and maybe not.
  • The film advance mostly works, but is somewhat inconsistent. More often than not, the camera produces a rather wide (and varying) gap between frames, and on one or two occasions the film didn't advance an entire frame, resulting in partially-overlapping double exposures.

All in all, I do enjoy using this camera. I shoot in available light (which means "low light") much of the time, and the GL--already a very rare model--is the only classic rangefinder I know of with AE (I love aperture priority) that understands ISO 1600. If it's possible to restore my camera to a more satisfactory user condition, I'm sure I would enjoy it even more. Would anyone care to hazard a guess as to whether a CLA might address most or all of these issues? Or how much could I expect to pay for such a service? I did e-mail Mark Hama with these questions five or so weeks ago but never saw a response (I'm guessing he's a very busy man). Are there other repair services I should consider?

By the way, I've recently plunged even deeper into this "rangefinder thing" and ordered a Zeiss Ikon. :D Right now I'm planning to keep shooting the Yashica alongside the Ikon (as well as a DSLR that I use for some work), but if someone makes an offer I can't refuse on this rare beast (as well as the possibly even more rare Yashica lens hood), I may start myself a 50mm Sonnar fund. ;)

Anyway, hope everyone else is enjoying their Yashicas as much as I am mine!

Cheers,
Jeremy
 
That is a great picture!

My advice is to email Mark Hama again. He should be able to take care of the majority of your problems. I do have a MG-1 that was serviced by him. It works so well that it is currently (not counting weddings that I do with two DSLR's) most used camera. It's just such a pleasure to use!
 
Thanks

Thanks

Thanks! Most of that picture was about just being in the right place at the right time. Serendipity only knocks occasionally--fortunately this time I was there to answer the call :)

I'll try and ping Mr. Hama again. Of the "reviews" I've read about his service, most have been thrilled with it and a few have complained that it's been slow. But I'd imagine when someone's name is a household word among classic camera owners (and not just Yashicas), things can get pretty busy from time to time.

Cheers,
Jeremy
 
mechanical parallax correction?

mechanical parallax correction?

Hi Jeremy,

Can you tell me in the GL has a mechanical parallax correction, like the GX does?
I really like my GX, and the lens is superb, but it would be even better to shoot at 1600 asa.

In general, does anybody know of a fixed lens rangefinder with automatic parallax correction besides the canonet, the konica auto S2 and the yashica electro 35 GX? Those three I've already got....;)

Thanks!
Douwe
 
from what i have -

Yashica : Minister III, Minister D, Lynx 1000, Lynx 14e, Electro G, GS, GSN

Minolta : AL, Hi-matic 7s, Hi-Matic 9
 
hello Jeremy,

A very nice shot, congrat.

Yesterday I've bought a yashica gl "professional" - the black version for about 27 $.
The camera seems to me in a very good working condition only the light seals need to be repaired, wich I'm going to make by myself. I'm also a happy yashica electro 35 GSN user, so can't wait to see the first roll of this camera! :)
 
Ive been searching for a GL myself. Where are you guys finding yours? Anyway I gave in a just bought a GS on ebay.
 
Oh crap.....another place to feed the GAS. Im sure we can figure out how to get a translation if we really need to. Thanks for the link.... :)
 
:) Going back to Jeremy's photo I'm really interested the differences between the earlier yashica professional version and my GSN pictures. Maybe there are no real differences!

I just realised (thanks to yashica guy's page) that the "professional" black version is the version of the original yashica electro, not the later models...
 
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Hey Jeremy when i first found an Electro GL in a local op shop, I first wanted to look up the model on the internet as I didn't know any rangefinder other than my belovef Minolta Al-F. Your website and that beautifal photo is what convinced me to take a chance with it. It is broken so thanks for nothing!

No but seriously, I can't wait to get it fixed. I feel its so much nicer than your standard everyday G-GS-GSNs :p. Well thats what i reckon.
 
Terrence said:
from what i have -

Yashica : Minister III, Minister D, Lynx 1000, Lynx 14e, Electro G, GS, GSN

Minolta : AL, Hi-matic 7s, Hi-Matic 9
Click to expand...

Also, Minolta Himatic E - fixed lens, full auto, funky flash system and gorgeous.
 
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