Hi everyone, this is my first post on this forum.
My everyday (and only) camera is a Yashica Electro 35 GSN, so I thought this might be a good place to start posting.
Six months ago I knew nothing about camera's and taking photographs, other than that the old ones look a lot better than those new plastic digicam's. So I started looking for a good second hand camera and came across some websites claiming that their beloved Electro 35 was a "poor man's Leica". While I didn't understand mysterious terms like leaf-shutters, fast glass, aperture and DOF, I did know that a so-called Leica costs more than a second hand car. That's got to be good, right?
So I set out to find a Yashica Electro 35. Online I found a camera collector who didn't live to far away, selling his Yashica for 25 euros. I drove over there, turned the dials, pushed some buttons and bought it (for 20 euro's, he gave me a discount because I'm a student. He was a really nice guy!)
Anyway, I bought some film, started shooting and haven't stopped since. But what I think is incredible, and it's something I'm only starting to realize, is that my Yashica has no defects whatsoever. Even the foam seals are all in place and good order! The collector I bought it from had never even taken the camera out of its well worn leather case, hadn't cleaned it, it hasn't been serviced in decades.
But the metering is spot-on, the shutter works like a charm, there are no signes of damage because of moisture, no battery corrosion, it's like brand new, but over 30 years old!
Well, to wrap up a long story. I just wanted to share my happiness with some people who I think would understand. My girlfriend usually falls asleep when I start talking about camera's or any of the other old things I like to collect like typewriters or out-dated electronics.
Attached are two examples of pictures I took with my Yashica Electro 35 GSN. Film used is Fujifilm Superia 100.
The first one was taken on a dreary day in Taiwan (I live there now) with the lens probably all the way open. The second one on a bright sunny day during a performance on the Taiwanese National Day (10 October) at the Chaing Kai-shek memorial hall (you can see the gate in the background).
That's it. Enjoy. I know I will enjoy all the beautifull pictures made and posted on this site by all the members. Lots of things to learn from here!