Alternative case for Electros

Retrotech68

Retrotech68

Established
Local time
12:40 PM
Joined
Oct 24, 2009
Messages
142
View My Gallery
I was wondering if anyone managed to get some answer to an old thread that started with the idea of having new half cases made by Mr. Zhou for the Electro GSN. Here's the original thread:
http://209.114.50.211/forums/showthread.php?t=112749

The original Yashica cases are Ok, but usually desintegrate after some time and use; I will need at least two replacements soon. The same applies to the GX...
 
Why would you want to spend maybe 70 dollars for a half case? I just bought a MG-1 for 30 dollars, looks brand new and elects work fine. It only needs light seals. Don't mean to sound blunt, just wondering.
 
Well, because of the reasons people use half-cases: they help with handling and add some extra protection. But I see your point regarding the prospective price of newly-made half-cases vs. the price of a nice, working GSN. I got mine in NOS condition with a few accessories for little money, then I had it CLA'd, but unfortunately the lot didn't include a case; a couple of months afterwards I got one, but I don't think the case has much life left in it...
 
I just gave away a nice Yashica case about 2 weeks ago. I will check my storage box tonite, if I have another your welcome to it. I never use them, my wife bought me a camera 12 years ago, case looks like new. But I do admit the camera would look a lot better if I had used it, where I hold the camera to shoot is well worn. I do tend to buy cameras, use them for a while then selll them. Guess I'm going to have to rethink this case thing. I just bought a Yashica Lynx which I love, I'm going to put it in the case now:^)
 
Retrotech68 said:
I was wondering if anyone managed to get some answer to an old thread that started with the idea of having new half cases made by Mr. Zhou for the Electro GSN. Here's the original thread:
http://209.114.50.211/forums/showthread.php?t=112749

The original Yashica cases are Ok, but usually desintegrate after some time and use; I will need at least two replacements soon. The same applies to the GX...
Click to expand...

As you can read in the old thread, I managed to get a mail conversation with Mr Zhou and I was informed that all half cases could be done, provided a sample body is sent in. But the decision which cases will really be offered depends on the market request and for the rare bodies there will not be a chance to see a case offering.
 
People have reported case from Canon A-1 or similar model do fit well enough. Little searching would clear this up. Of course this cases aren't as nice as custom made, but you decide what you are looking for.
 
one90guy said:
I just gave away a nice Yashica case about 2 weeks ago. I will check my storage box tonite, if I have another your welcome to it. I never use them, my wife bought me a camera 12 years ago, case looks like new. But I do admit the camera would look a lot better if I had used it, where I hold the camera to shoot is well worn. I do tend to buy cameras, use them for a while then selll them. Guess I'm going to have to rethink this case thing. I just bought a Yashica Lynx which I love, I'm going to put it in the case now:^)
Click to expand...

Well, thanks a lot! And yes, it is a good idea to rethink the case thing. I can provide a good example: my father had a penchant for Pentax SLRs ever since his photography hobby merged with work, after he started working for a local newspaper. He had a lot of Takumar and other M42 compatible lenses to go with the cameras. He was quite fond of two Spotmatics (II and IIa, I think, one black the other chrome), and despite the countless rolls shot with both, he managed to keep both cameras in great condition - I am convinced that one of reasons was that he always carried them with the half-cases while in the field. At home, he never stored the camera together with the half-case, so I guess the combination of this with the good, durable build quality of the Spotmatics must have helped a lot with long term perservation.
 
dct said:
As you can read in the old thread, I managed to get a mail conversation with Mr Zhou and I was informed that all half cases could be done, provided a sample body is sent in. But the decision which cases will really be offered depends on the market request and for the rare bodies there will not be a chance to see a case offering.
Click to expand...

I see. But the GSN can hardly be classified as a rare body. As for the GX, it is indeed rarer than any of the larger, earlier Electros, but not to the point of not justifying a case offering, imho, at least judging from the cult following it seems to enjoy nowadays... But that is just my personal opinion, of course.

A friend of mine was also looking for a good half-case for his Hi-Matic 7 SII, because it came without case. He then found an original case in gorgeous condition, but since it has the horrible vinyl strap permanently attached, he decided to keep it for the sake of completness only, as a collectible item. I also have a 7 SII and just found a seemingly good (but pricey) half-case being sold by a Korean seller in the big auction site.
 
Yashica half case

Yashica half case

I rummage at camera fairs and usually come up with a few
options that fit most yashicas and never paid very much.
Beware of old thin leatherstraps they can be very brittle.
Good hunting
Chris
3052544995_7f83631eeb_z.jpg
 
Thanks for the tip... Unfortunately, the only options I keep finding at camera fairs are little more than wrecks. Nothing like those good looking brown half-cases you have there. Your Yashicas look happy on them!
Btw, and a bit off-topic, those shalow hoods on the CC and GX look interesting... I guess the one on the GT is also an after-market item. Am I right?

P.S./edit: I am told the S&W wide angle 52mm hood works well on the GX, as it does not block the viewfinder, nor the rangefinder either.
 
Value is a subjective thing, always. Why would you pay more for a 1/2-case than you did for the camera? Because the camera costs what it costs, and the 1/2-case costs what it costs. To say, "I paid less for the camera than I did for the case" is actually the illogical postition.
 
NickTrop said:
Value is a subjective thing, always. Why would you pay more for a 1/2-case than you did for the camera? Because the camera costs what it costs, and the 1/2-case costs what it costs. To say, "I paid less for the camera than I did for the case" is actually the illogical postition.
Click to expand...

That's true and I agree that value is always a (very!) subjective issue. However, my GX (including CLA) cost more than my GSN. A new 1/2 case would cost way less than half of what I paid for the camera and for having it CLA'd by someone with better skills than myself.
 
Retrotech68 said:
That's true and I agree that value is always a (very!) subjective issue. However, my GX (including CLA) cost more than my GSN. A new 1/2 case would cost way less than half of what I paid for the camera and for having it CLA'd by someone with better skills than myself.
Click to expand...

My reply was directed more toward One90guy who questioned the wisdom of spending $70 on a 1/2-case for a less expensive (but truly outstanding) camera like a Yashica.

The camera doesn't matter. Whatever price you paid for it - from $10 at a garage sale to a Leica M is a sunk cost, the money has already been spent regardless, no matter how much or how little it was for the camera. The case costs however much or however little - the two are not "linked" in any way, really. Spend it or not spend it but how much was sunk into the initial purchase has no correlation. It's a common logical fallacy regarding how we think of spending money.
 
Retrotech68 said:
He then found an original case in gorgeous condition, but since it has the horrible vinyl strap permanently attached, he decided to keep it for the sake of completness only, as a collectible item.
Click to expand...

Say what one will about those vinyl straps, they don't twist, are reasonably comfortable, and are lots more durable than leather straps. (Would that Rolleicords and Contaxes came with such rugged straps permanently attached to their cases.)
 
Yashica half case

Yashica half case

Retrotech68 said:
Thanks for the tip... Unfortunately, the only options I keep finding at camera fairs are little more than wrecks. Nothing like those good looking brown half-cases you have there. Your Yashicas look happy on them!
Btw, and a bit off-topic, those shalow hoods on the CC and GX look interesting... I guess the one on the GT is also an after-market item. Am I right?

P.S./edit: I am told the S&W wide angle 52mm hood works well on the GX, as it does not block the viewfinder, nor the rangefinder either.
Click to expand...

Hi your correct the hoods on CC & GX are Nikon,the GT hood
I am told it is yashica hood but not necesarily for the GT.
Again all picked up at camera fairs
Chris
 
NickTrop said:
The camera doesn't matter. Whatever price you paid for it - from $10 at a garage sale to a Leica M is a sunk cost, the money has already been spent regardless, no matter how much or how little it was for the camera. The case costs however much or however little - the two are not "linked" in any way, really. Spend it or not spend it but how much was sunk into the initial purchase has no correlation. It's a common logical fallacy regarding how we think of spending money.
Click to expand...

Wise words. I fully agree!

@KoNickon: the quality of those vinyl straps can vary a lot... While some are reasonably supple, others are too rigid for the taste of many. The quality of the material they are made from also varies; for instance, I have one Yashica strap (got it with my GX) that oozes a sort of sticky, oily residue on the surface. No matter how hard or how much I try to wipe it off, it always returns, so I guess this is part of the "decay" process. On the other hand, I have other straps from about the same era in excellent condition, but quite more rigid and less agreable to the touch.
Anyway, the problem with the Hi-Matic 7 sII was the fact that you cannot detach the strap from the half-case, thus rendering the thing less useful.
 
Making a half case with genuine leather could be a little tricky, but it's not that difficult to make one with leatherette. I made this half case for my GL with spare leatherette which I originally purchased for my motorbike's seat repair, cardboard, glue and a little work of sewing.





I may have spent too much money on making it. Yeah, that $5 glue was about the same price as my Electro, to tell you the truth.....😀

LunoLuno
 
LunoLuno, that half-case looks nifty. Congratulations! I might try something similar soon. Incidentally, I have been after a GL for a while, to get some company for my Electros... 😀

one90guy: thanks all the same. Your post reminded me that I never tried/used (even handled!) a Yashica slr!
 
So Retrotech68, where are you located? I have several Yashica SLR cameras and would part with one if you pay shipping. I am located in North Carolina.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom