OlProfBear
Collec... er, Accumulator
Greetings. I am new here, so please be gentle ;-)
A couple of days ago, I came upon (in a Goodwill Store) an Electro 35 GS. I asked the price, was told $15, frowned. Next I knew, the price was $5. Well, what could I do?
This (or its predecessor) was the camera I actually wanted back around 1970, when I bought an Amica Eyelux, which was what I could (nearly) afford.
So. The camera seems in pretty nice shape, but for a fairly minor filter ring dent (actually just a flatness at one point), which I gather should not be too hard to smooth out.
It responded well, I believe, to the substitute battery I installed after much web research, and I intend to drop a roll in and try it out, if we ever see another sunny day here in New England.
However, the ever ready case (soft) is an ugly mess, shedding its phony leather-grained coating all over the place and revealing an unappetizing grey fabric beneath it. In view of the quite nice condition of the camera (though I haven't inspected the light seals yet), it seems kinda surprising.
Also, naturally, there was no lenscap.
I poked around quite a bit on evilBay, but no cases or caps appeared.
I'm considering trying to paint the case, no idea if it would work.
Any ideas what I can do, or where I might find these items -- not for a lot of money? I'm reluctant to take it out into the world completely unprotected.
Thanks for any help.
A couple of days ago, I came upon (in a Goodwill Store) an Electro 35 GS. I asked the price, was told $15, frowned. Next I knew, the price was $5. Well, what could I do?
This (or its predecessor) was the camera I actually wanted back around 1970, when I bought an Amica Eyelux, which was what I could (nearly) afford.
So. The camera seems in pretty nice shape, but for a fairly minor filter ring dent (actually just a flatness at one point), which I gather should not be too hard to smooth out.
It responded well, I believe, to the substitute battery I installed after much web research, and I intend to drop a roll in and try it out, if we ever see another sunny day here in New England.
However, the ever ready case (soft) is an ugly mess, shedding its phony leather-grained coating all over the place and revealing an unappetizing grey fabric beneath it. In view of the quite nice condition of the camera (though I haven't inspected the light seals yet), it seems kinda surprising.
Also, naturally, there was no lenscap.
I poked around quite a bit on evilBay, but no cases or caps appeared.
I'm considering trying to paint the case, no idea if it would work.
Any ideas what I can do, or where I might find these items -- not for a lot of money? I'm reluctant to take it out into the world completely unprotected.
Thanks for any help.
IGMeanwell
Well-known
OlProfBear said:
You can always go to Yashica Guy's website and inquire about a lens cap
My yashica came with a vivtar lens cap though not accurate it does the job well
filmgoerjuan
Established
Something to remember about the Yashica GS is that the light meter is not covered by a lens cap as on other fixed-lens rangefinder (Canonets for example). So while a lens cap will protect the glass, it won't shut off the meter. To do that you'll have to cover the front of the meter, most easily accomplished by closing the camera it up in its case. Not sure where you can pick up a replacement case, though 
R
ruben
Guest
Hi Bear,
What you are looking for is at least a gs lower semi-hard case, or a complete one. Those come with a huge unproportional screw, that you can extract and insert a smaller one (those coming from Kiev rfs being the flatest and best).
I confess I find it hard to understand why buying an ebay gs with case for some $30 or $40 including shipment, is not to be considered. I hope that by telling you this I am not being rude, in whose case I will accept any opinion about it.
As for lens cover - what about lens shade first ?
Cheers and welcome to the forum,
Ruben
What you are looking for is at least a gs lower semi-hard case, or a complete one. Those come with a huge unproportional screw, that you can extract and insert a smaller one (those coming from Kiev rfs being the flatest and best).
I confess I find it hard to understand why buying an ebay gs with case for some $30 or $40 including shipment, is not to be considered. I hope that by telling you this I am not being rude, in whose case I will accept any opinion about it.
As for lens cover - what about lens shade first ?
Cheers and welcome to the forum,
Ruben
Last edited by a moderator:
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pshinkaw
Guest
The Yashica Electro-35 has a front filter ring threaded for 55mm. If your ring is dented and cannot be restored to take a 55mm accessory, you can still use a 55mm snap-on cap (warning, it will cost more than the camera) A slip-on outer cap will probably be about 57mm.
If you can partially restore the filter ring , it may be possible to put on a 55mm clear filter or just a filter ring without the glass. That will give a nice smooth threaded accessory ring to work with. That in turn will allow you to use a screw-in sun shade.
As for a case, I seldom use them. I prefer to put the camera in a shoulder bag or fanny pack.
-Paul
If you can partially restore the filter ring , it may be possible to put on a 55mm clear filter or just a filter ring without the glass. That will give a nice smooth threaded accessory ring to work with. That in turn will allow you to use a screw-in sun shade.
As for a case, I seldom use them. I prefer to put the camera in a shoulder bag or fanny pack.
-Paul
R
ruben
Guest
pshinkaw said:
Just wanted to remark Paul that the issue of case or no case, is a semi-religious one, with some people like you and Mike Goldberg (RFF) almost unable to touch a cased camera, and the others, like me, unable to ventilate a camera outdoors without case. Funny, not?
P
pshinkaw
Guest
Ruben:
Never thought it was that serious.
I have a lot of old cameras. Mildewed cases make me sneeze. Fanny packs, shoulder bags and courier bags are cheap and quite common. So I use them.
Also, when a camera like an Electro only costs $5 (I have 4 of them and none of them costs me more than $5) I don't worry too much about protecting them from nicks and bumps.
Also, if you keep a lot cameras as I do, some of them sit around for months without getting used. Some ER cases have a urethane interior that after many years starts to break down. The result is an ugly, sticky mess all over and sometimes inside of the camera. On older leather cases, sometimes the conditioning agent used on leather will react with the brass used on cameras. That results in a green residue that also causes operating problems.
I'm just explaining what I do and why I do it. Every photographer should do what they feel is best to care for their tools. For some that is a leather case.
-Paul
Never thought it was that serious.
I have a lot of old cameras. Mildewed cases make me sneeze. Fanny packs, shoulder bags and courier bags are cheap and quite common. So I use them.
Also, when a camera like an Electro only costs $5 (I have 4 of them and none of them costs me more than $5) I don't worry too much about protecting them from nicks and bumps.
Also, if you keep a lot cameras as I do, some of them sit around for months without getting used. Some ER cases have a urethane interior that after many years starts to break down. The result is an ugly, sticky mess all over and sometimes inside of the camera. On older leather cases, sometimes the conditioning agent used on leather will react with the brass used on cameras. That results in a green residue that also causes operating problems.
I'm just explaining what I do and why I do it. Every photographer should do what they feel is best to care for their tools. For some that is a leather case.
-Paul
john neal
fallor ergo sum
I think you will find that the meter is automatically turned off when the shutter is released (due to the sliding contacts inside the body) so don't worry about battery life, just cover the lens to protect the front element.
I may have a good complete case kicking around in my junk - I'll have a look and let you know if I find one.
I may have a good complete case kicking around in my junk - I'll have a look and let you know if I find one.
ampguy
Veteran
I picked up a cap from american eagle
I picked up a cap from american eagle
for about $5 shipped, only to get another GSN without a cap about a week later. Also check out heavystar.
Watch the guys with low prices and high shipping.
I picked up a cap from american eagle
for about $5 shipped, only to get another GSN without a cap about a week later. Also check out heavystar.
Watch the guys with low prices and high shipping.
IGMeanwell said:
Harlee
Well-known
Repairing a dented filter ring really is quite simple. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT use a pair of pliers! This will ruin the threads. Go to Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, etc. and buy a dowel roughly 1/2 " diamerer. Cut a piece 4-6" , have someone hold the camera body with the filter ring resting on a solid surface, a piece of 2" X 4" for instance. Place the dowel on the denter part and tap it gently with a light hammer a few times. Be careful and work slowly. Keep trying to screw on a filter [55MM]. If it doesn't screw on at first, tap it again, and try the filter on again. If you're careful you'll find the filter, or screw on lens hood will eventually fit. I've done this with a number of cameras and it works every time. The reason filter rings get dented is because there's no filter or lens hood screwed on to it.
OlProfBear
Collec... er, Accumulator
Thanks for the excellent advice. I'd seen something similar, but more complicated, recently. I'm sure I have suitable dowel and so forth here (somewhere ), so I'll just need to pick up a 55mm filter (UV makes sense - the traditional "glass lenscap"), all my current filters being 49mm.
(Working my way backwards through all the helpful responses ... slowly ... )
), so I'll just need to pick up a 55mm filter (UV makes sense - the traditional "glass lenscap"), all my current filters being 49mm.(Working my way backwards through all the helpful responses ... slowly ... )
OlProfBear
Collec... er, Accumulator
ampguy said:
Probably the #1 eBay buyer's rule!
"Shipping" rates can vary so much for identical items at similar distances that I always figure them in right up front.
OlProfBear
Collec... er, Accumulator
john neal said:
I'd appreciate that greatly (and so would the camera).
OlProfBear
Collec... er, Accumulator
ruben said:
For me, it's just a matter of protecting the lens and other protrusions. Given a lenscap and/or UV filter, that's generally enough (how I carried my late Exakta around for years). The case feels more secure, but is often a nuisance so is optional -- except on my Zenit, which lacks strap lugs!
bsdunek
Old Guy with a Corgi
Comments
Comments
The dowel and hammer method works well if you work carefully. For a better solution (and more $) Micro-Tools.com has a plier type tool with curved plastic jaws for fixing filter threads.
As for the meter - I'm not familiar with the GS, but my GSN has a collar around the shutter release button that locks the camera and turns off the meter. I try to remember to turn it off when I'm not using it to save the battery. The only problems is when you want to make a quick shot and forget to turn it back on!
Comments
The dowel and hammer method works well if you work carefully. For a better solution (and more $) Micro-Tools.com has a plier type tool with curved plastic jaws for fixing filter threads.
As for the meter - I'm not familiar with the GS, but my GSN has a collar around the shutter release button that locks the camera and turns off the meter. I try to remember to turn it off when I'm not using it to save the battery. The only problems is when you want to make a quick shot and forget to turn it back on!
OlProfBear
Collec... er, Accumulator
Evidently, the flim advance/cocking lever turns the meter on. Presumably releasing the shutter turns it off. It only becomes fully active when the shutter release is pressed halfway down.
tenebrae
Leicaddict
You can make you own lens caps out of cardboard. See for example:
http://jay.fedka.com/index_files/Page413.htm
http://jay.fedka.com/index_files/Page413.htm
ndnbrunei
Established
Lens cap for Yashica
Lens cap for Yashica
Dear Bear,
I have just joined the ranks of Yashica RF owners (mine is a GSN) - I picked it uo from the post office 2 hours ago (I bought it from a kind fellow in Illinois - I live in Brunei, SE Asia).
Sure enough, it came without a lens cap (is this mandatory with second hand cameras? ... is there a beach on a remote South Pacific island covered in lens caps??).
I went straight to the local photo shop and bought a cheap "Digi Pro Digital Accessories" lens cap for less than USD$ 6. I got a 58mm which seems a little snug so a 57mm might be better.
Just put the battery in (using the Yashica Guy adaptor that Kevin included) - wow it is a treat! I love the red and amber arrows. What a system! The rangefinder double image leaves my Poor old Isolette's RF for dead.
The sun is starting to sink into the South China Sea as I write this, so I had better go and take some photos! .... read the manual yet(?) I hear someone ask... no, I'll catch up with that later!
ndnbrunei
Lens cap for Yashica
Dear Bear,
I have just joined the ranks of Yashica RF owners (mine is a GSN) - I picked it uo from the post office 2 hours ago (I bought it from a kind fellow in Illinois - I live in Brunei, SE Asia).
Sure enough, it came without a lens cap (is this mandatory with second hand cameras? ... is there a beach on a remote South Pacific island covered in lens caps??).
I went straight to the local photo shop and bought a cheap "Digi Pro Digital Accessories" lens cap for less than USD$ 6. I got a 58mm which seems a little snug so a 57mm might be better.
Just put the battery in (using the Yashica Guy adaptor that Kevin included) - wow it is a treat! I love the red and amber arrows. What a system! The rangefinder double image leaves my Poor old Isolette's RF for dead.
The sun is starting to sink into the South China Sea as I write this, so I had better go and take some photos! .... read the manual yet(?) I hear someone ask... no, I'll catch up with that later!
ndnbrunei
ampguy
Veteran
It seems to be a ritual here
It seems to be a ritual here
not a problem with me at all, but since I don't use filters unless I want weird effects, I would *greatly* appreciate it if sellers would give me a heads up to source my own lens cap by the time the stripped stuff gets to me...
It seems to be a ritual here
not a problem with me at all, but since I don't use filters unless I want weird effects, I would *greatly* appreciate it if sellers would give me a heads up to source my own lens cap by the time the stripped stuff gets to me...
ndnbrunei said:
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pshinkaw
Guest
Bill:
On the Yashica Electro 35 there is no "Off" switch. The wind lever does have a nice catch that holds it out away from the body, but it has no electrical switches connecting it to the exposure system. The exposure metering/shutter selection system does activate when you push down the shutter release partway. That activates the lighted arrows and selects the shutter speed. HGowever, there is some slight drain on the battery when it is installed and not being used. I make it a practice to remove the battery if I'm not using the camera for more than a day or two.
If your Electro has a shutter release button lock, That too is only a lock and nothing more. I've taken it apart expecting to find a switch but found only a mechanical locking mechanism.
Keep in mind that this camera is state-of-the-art photo technology for the 1960's. The battery check light is not an LED! It is a tiny incandescent light bulb. Checking the battery condition frequently will run down a battery almost as fast as taking a photograph.
-Paul
On the Yashica Electro 35 there is no "Off" switch. The wind lever does have a nice catch that holds it out away from the body, but it has no electrical switches connecting it to the exposure system. The exposure metering/shutter selection system does activate when you push down the shutter release partway. That activates the lighted arrows and selects the shutter speed. HGowever, there is some slight drain on the battery when it is installed and not being used. I make it a practice to remove the battery if I'm not using the camera for more than a day or two.
If your Electro has a shutter release button lock, That too is only a lock and nothing more. I've taken it apart expecting to find a switch but found only a mechanical locking mechanism.
Keep in mind that this camera is state-of-the-art photo technology for the 1960's. The battery check light is not an LED! It is a tiny incandescent light bulb. Checking the battery condition frequently will run down a battery almost as fast as taking a photograph.
-Paul