Electro 35, Possible PoD

[Cold]

Hi all,

I recently picked up a near-mint Electro 35G that I've been eager to shoot with, but I'm trying to make sure that all is in good working order before loading up a roll of film.

After reading about the Pad of Death, I will say that the trademark "clunk" that most use as the litmus test of a good PoD is markedly absent. When I thumb the film advance, I just get a series of metallic clicks, ticks, and pops. As it returns to its original position, just before coming to rest, there is a slightly louder 'clack', but nothing I'd ever call a thump or a clunk.

Normally, this would indicate a bad PoD, as I understand it. However, the practical necessity of the PoD is that, without it, you lose your range of shutter speeds, and are limited to 1/500, bulb, and possibly 1/30.

This is the part where I'm confused. If I had a bad PoD (indicated by the lack of a clunk), then I should only get those very limited shutter speeds. In reality, though, the shutter performs flawlessly. In fact, had I not read about the PoD and the clunk, I wouldn't even suspect anything amiss.

So my question is: Regardless of the PoD condition or lack of the clunk sound...if the shutter works, I should be good to go, correct?

While I'm not afraid of attempting the repair (through the top), and cleaning the RF while I'm in there, if it's not necessary, I'd rather not open it up.

 

[nparsons13]

I have four Electro 35s of various ages. I've replaced the POD in all but one GSN, and they all make about the same clunk sound toward the beginning of film advance, but I've read reports from other owners who say their cameras thunk later in the cycle or don't thunk at all.

I'd say that if your camera's shutter sounds right--short click in bright light and a sound indicating a longer opening in dimmer light--and you don't want to take the top cover off to check the POD, then it's time to put some film in and go for it. I don't know that I'd start off with anything expensive, though.

 

[GWT]

I have heard of the POD but have no idea how to tell if one of my Yashica's suffers from it? I have a Electro 35 GS and this week I picked up a MG-1. When I wind on the MG-1 I hear a kind of clunk - I don't hear that with the GS - what should I be hearing?

I've not used the GS massively but the results are alway great, I've just put a cheap film into the MG-1 so I'll just have to wait and see. I think the light seals on the MG will need changing as they look and feel pretty gummy, I figured I'd see what the first film produces and go from there.

 

[Cold]

I'd say that if your camera's shutter sounds right--short click in bright light and a sound indicating a longer opening in dimmer light--and you don't want to take the top cover off to check the POD, then it's time to put some film in and go for it. I don't know that I'd start off with anything expensive, though.

I just picked up a Canonet as well, so I have some cheap Fujicolor 200 that I can use. It seems that in their old age, the Electros seem to become a bit eccentric, and start to behave very differently from one another. If the 'clunk' doesn't happen for other Electros that are in good working order, then I suppose that's encouragement enough.

When I test the shutter, I usually set it to f/16 shade the CdS with my finger, and take a shot with the back open. The shutter usually stays open for 10-15 seconds, then I hear a capacitor or something load, then the shutter closes. I also suppose it's worth noting that, unlike some other electros, mine requires me to hold the shutter down throughout the long exposure. If I release it, the shutter closes immediately.

I guess maybe I'll load it up tomorrow and start shooting and see what happens!

I have heard of the POD but have no idea how to tell if one of my Yashica's suffers from it?

Basically, there's the symptom and the effect: the symptom is the lack of a clunk, and the effect is that, instead of a range of shutter speeds, you only get 1/500 and bulb.

 

[GWT]

Thanks for replying Cold, I had a look on you tube and there were a couple of videos of people with electros demonstrating the 'clunk' sound when winding on - if that is indeed the sound then my new MG-1 seems to making it.

What is the 'pad'? Is it just a piece of rubber?

Can a replacement be purchased or is it something which can be made?

Here are the youtube clips -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7ZmzL3ojZc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7jDS08KGbY

 

[sig]

rubber, e.g. a rubber band can be cut to correct dim.

On the big interweb you should be able to find everything you need to know
http://www.yashica-guy.com/document/repair.html#nine
http://www.flickr.com/photos/csaveanu/3800705784/

 

[GWT]

rubber, e.g. a rubber band can be cut to correct dim.

On the big interweb you should be able to find everything you need to know
http://www.yashica-guy.com/document/repair.html#nine
http://www.flickr.com/photos/csaveanu/3800705784/

Many thanks Sig, the vail has been lifted from my eye's!

Replacing a piece of rubber sounded like a simple affair until I had a quick look at Mick Feuerbacher page and now I'm not so sure!

Great instruction though, I will be following his recipe.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

Russ who posts here has a nice page about the POD. A bad POD can produce all sorts of odd behavior.

In low light, the shutter should stay open whether you hold down the release button or not.

 

[Spavinaw]

I also have an Electro 35 that on long exposures requires that the shutter button be held down or it immediately closes. It does not clunk when wound. Since I'm getting proper exposures I haven't checked the POD. I've seen this mentioned in previous threads, but no one offered an explanation. I'd really like to know what is going on. Is my camera chronically ill, terminally ill, half dead, or what? Remember, it works OK if I keep my finger on the shutter button. Detailed explanation anyone?

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

I have several of these cameras, and had one with the "must hold down the shutter button till lens closes" behavior.

If it works, go ahead and use it, but it's not correct. I had mine repaired and now have a lot more trust in the camera.

 

[GWT]

Russ who posts here has a nice page about the POD. A bad POD can produce all sorts of odd behavior.

In low light, the shutter should stay open whether you hold down the release button or not.

Many thanks for this link, the more I understand the better.

 

[freecom2]

I've got a GSN and a GTN, and both make a very similar clunking noise. I thought that the POD is therefore fine. On the GTN, all the auto speeds seem to hold the shutter open as they should - but at f/16, the shutter just hangs open. Is this also a POD symptom?

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

Strictly for what it's worth: I heard these might be great $20 bargains, but I never succeeded, and finally gave up trying.

I did spend $20 on a clean GTN, spent $100 to have it serviced, and now I have a really good $120 camera which is reliable and a joy to use.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

but at f/16, the shutter just hangs open. Is this also a POD symptom?

I have this in low light too on my GSN; The shutter remains open (even beyond the 30/45second point) and only shuts when I advance the film or sometimes when I turn the cds toward a bright light source.

I don't think it has anything to do with the POD, as it is fine on mine.

 

[kanzlr]

Sebastian, where have you had yours repaired?

 

[btgc]

at f/16, the shutter just hangs open. Is this also a POD symptom?

On mine replacing POD cured also this symptom.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

Sebastian, where have you had yours repaired?

Kanzlr, I have had Electros repaired by:

- Russ Sisco, b1bmsgt here or http://camerarefurb.com/ is in Connecticut

- Mark Hama, easily found via Google, in Atlanta. Mark has parts and can fix electrical/electronic problems which are difficult for others.

Seeing that you are in Europe, I suggest asking here for a European repairer.

 

[freecom2]

I don't think it has anything to do with the POD, as it is fine on mine.

On mine replacing POD cured also this symptom.

:bang: 😀

It seems to be the only symptom on an otherwise accurate camera so far. I'll probably replace it when I do the seals on this GTN anyway. Cleaned out the fungus in it successfully though, so very happy about that.

 

[kanzlr]

I already found one in Europe, but his prices where insane 😉

thanks!