Yashica Electro Repair?

[flyuphigh]

Hi, I recently got a cheap Electro off craiglist.

Shutter works at 500, but I can't get the electronics to work. I think there might be a loose wire somewhere. I dont think I have the tools to take off the top and look around. I live in Washington, DC and went to the only local repair shop I know of and they said they dont deal with "these cameras". Does anyone know of anywhere else in the DC metro area, or anywhere in New England (I'll be back there for the holidays) that would repair it for a good price? Is it worth it?

 

[sig]

Open the bottom, 3 screws, unscrew the battery compartment. If it falls out you need to solver the spring on to the white cable......
You can open the button with a sharp kitchen knife (I did that the first time I opened a Yashica, but after the sharp pointy thing broke off the kitchen knife I bought a screw driver)

To open the top, you can use a pointy metal object, like a small nail for the ISO button and the winder.

It is probably cheaper to buy a new one that works instead of getting this one repaired by a camera man.

 

[Mablo]

You can take a test roll with it using sunny-16 rule and 400 ASA film.

 

[newspaperguy]

Does it have the correct battery?

You might also want to Google the Yashica Guy's site.

 

[NickTrop]

You might try simply using white vinegar. I got two old cameras - including a beautiful Yashica Electro CC sample, to work by simply cleaning the battery contacts. Fill a small glass with white vinegar and drop the battery cap in it. Let it set a few minutes. Soak a Q-Tip in white vinegar and rub the contact inside the battery compartment. Even though corrosion may not be visible, sometimes a thin invisible layer of corrosion exists that prevents electricity to power the camera. Repeat this steps a couple times before attempting surgery. Use white vinegar, and excellent an cheap solvent you probably have. Make sure the contacts are dry before putting the battery in and be careful not to get cotton fuzz in the battery chamber.

 

[Al Kaplan]

It's not worth spending the money to repair a camera like this. It'd be cheaper to find another one that works. Try to find something where at least the shutter works with a dead battery even if the meter doesn't.

If you want to open it up and play with it you might get it to work. It reminds me of a CPR course I took. One of the people in the class asked what to do if he forgot how many chest compressions per minute he should be making. The instructer said "Don't worry about it. Just do it! You just might get his heart started again anyway. If you do it wrong, well, he's already dead!"

You just might get the camera working too.

 

[pesphoto]

IN Providence RI, try http://www.zackscamerarepair.com/
Great guy , repaired my BEssa R. And I think he has a YAshica Professional for sale on his website.

 

[flyuphigh]

OK Thanks everyone. Yes, I've already tried cleaning the terminals with vinegar, so my next step, per sig, will be to try to look around the inside a little more. Looking at prices, I don't think I would get this repaired professionally. So if worst comes to worst I can still just use it outside on 1/500.

 

[johannielscom]

Look here and here to get going on the repair, good luck!

 

[goodharbor]

No problem ... I take great photos with an Electro fixed at 1/500 using the Sunny16 rule. Load her up with 400 ASA film ... f/16 for full sun, f/11 hazy sun, f/8 cloudy but bright, f/5.6 heavy overcast, and f/4 open shade.